Efficient Separation and Recovery of Petroleum Hydrocarbon from Oily Sludge by a Combination of Adsorption and Demulsification

The treatment of oily sludge (OS) can not only effectively solve environmental pollution but also contribute to the efficient use of energy. In this study, the separation effect of OS was analyzed through sodium lignosulfonate (SL)-assisted sodium persulfate (S/D) treatment. The effects of SL concentration, pH, temperature, solid–liquid ratio, revolving speed, and time on SL adsorption solubilization were analyzed. The effects of sodium persulfate dosage, demulsification temperature, and demulsification time on sodium persulfate oxidative demulsification were analyzed. The oil removal efficiency was as high as 91.28%. The results showed that the sediment was uniformly and finely distributed in the S/D-treated OS. The contact angle of the sediment surface was 40°, and the initial apparent viscosity of the OS was 56 Pa·s. First, the saturated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons on the sediment surface were adsorbed by the monolayer adsorption on SL. Stubborn, cohesive oil agglomerates were dissociated. Sulfate radical anion (SO(4)(−)·) with a high oxidation potential, was formed from sodium persulfate. The oxidation reaction occurred between SO(4)(−)· and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A good three-phase separation effect was attained. The oil recovery reached 89.65%. This provides theoretical support for the efficient clean separation of oily sludge.