Obtaining zeolite A from filtrate of zeolite LSX and its influence on the removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants in spent lubricating oil

Abstract

Zeolites A was synthesized from alternate sources such as filtrate from synthesized zeolite LSX and aluminate solution extracted from bauxite which produced a very good yield. The synthesized zeolite type was characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The synthesized product showed a high degree of crystallinity from the XRD results. When applied to a spent lubricating oil, the efficiency in removing the heavy metals was: 23.4% Fe, 96.8% Zn, 19.0% Cu, and 12.0% Cr. The saturates in the regenerated oil were 80% carbon, 4% residue, and 16% aromatics as compared to that of a commercial virgin oil that contained 84% saturates, 3% carbon residue, and 13% aromatics. This indicated that the spent oil can be reused.

Keywords:
zeolites; saturates; aromatics; lubricating oil; synthesis