Microbes and oil occur together in produced waters (PW) and are critical to remove. Their removal prior to discharge, reinjection, or reuse is necessitated by downstream challenges and regulations. These challenges include souring of reservoirs, microbially induced corrosion in pipelines, and fouling of membranes. We demonstrate simultaneous removal of dispersed oil (&gt;99.95%) and E. coli (6-log10) in a Ceiba pentandra (kapok) fiber filter for sustainable PW treatment under moderate salinity conditions (85.8 mM ionic strength). Moringa oleifera (MO) antimicrobial cationic proteins adsorb to the naturally occurring oleophilic kapok fibers, providing E. coli removal while oil sorption occurs on the hydrophobic fibers. Additionally, synergistic removal of E. coli by bare kapok fibers in the presence of oil was observed and the effect of MO proteins on enhancing this removal was demonstrated. This work provides a unique framework for evaluation of sustainable PW treatment using plant-based fiber filters.

Simultaneous removal of dispersed oil and bacteria in a natural fiber filter

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.