Application of hydrophobic ionic liquid [Bmmim][PF6] in solvent extraction for oily sludge

In this study, an ionic liquid (IL), 1-butyl-2,3-dimmmethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (Bmmim]PF₆]), was used in combination with a composite solvent of methyl acetate and n-heptane to enhance the oil extraction from oily sludge. The oil recovery increased by approximately 15% compared with that of solvent extraction without Bmmim]PF₆] at the optimal ratios of IL to sludge and solvents to sludge, which were at 2:5 (M/M) and 4:1 (V/M), respectively. The saturate, aromatic, resin and asphaltene (SARA) analysis revealed that the recovery of resins and asphaltenes was increased by 14% and 38%, respectively, in the solvent extraction with the addition of Bmmim]PF₆]. Bmmim]PF₆] maintained a good performance after its reuse four times. The addition of Bmmim]PF₆] changed the adhesion forces between oil and soil. The IL-assisted solvent extraction procedure followed the pseudo second-order kinetic model, while the unassisted solvent extraction procedure followed the pseudo first-order kinetic model. The results also demonstrated that Bmmim]PF₆] decreased the solvent consumption by approximately 60% each time. Additionally, Bmmim]PF₆] can be easily separated. The results suggested that enhancing the solvent extraction with this IL is a promising way to recover oil from oily sludge with a higher oil recovery rate and lower organic solvent consumption than those with the unassisted solvent extraction method.