Expanded graphite as the best sorbent for hydrocarbons

The current state of the problems of protecting the surrounding environment from the impact of anthropogenic human activity because of oil extraction and using oil products is analyzed. The existing methods of liquidation of technological and emergency spills of oil products were considered. It was found that the final stage of their collection requires the use of sorbents. We compared sorption characteristics, cost, environmental friendliness of disposal, availability, etc. of existing natural, artificial, organic and inorganic sorbents. And expanded graphite (EG) was singled out as the most attractive in terms of all the considered characteristics. The sorption properties of EG were studied using the example of the absorption of heavy types of oil, petroleum and decane. The advantages of EG as a sorbent have been established. The issue of increasing the bulk mass of EG for its efficient transportation by air transport to the zone of ecological disaster elimination has been resolved.