Rapid and enhanced recovery of poly-dispersed nonionic surfactant (TX-100)from organic mediums using dehydrated and rehydrated kaolin

The recovery of surfactants from organic mediums is of great economic and environmental interests in the field of petrochemicals sector. The aim of this study was to recover poly-dispersed nonionic surfactant (TX-100)from organic medium by the use of dehydrated and rehydrated kaolin. It was found that the presence of water after kaolin rehydration decreases considerably the amount of TX-100 adsorption from 28.7 μmol.g⁻¹ onto dehydrated kaolin to 23.4 μmol.g⁻¹ onto rehydrated kaolin. The estimation of the number of statistical layers of water deposited on kaolin was observed to be about 7 to 9. The effect of type of solvents (heptane, cyclohexane and benzene)on the adsorption onto rehydrated kaolin revealed a reduction in the adsorbed quantity; the adsorbed amounts were found to be 28.7 μmol.g⁻¹, 26.7 μmol.g⁻¹ and 24.2 μmol.g⁻¹ in heptane, cycloheptane and benzene phases, respectively. On the other hand, it was observed that a temperature increased from 20 °C to 35 °C and 45 °C negatively affects the adsorption of TX-100 onto dehydrated and/or hydrated kaolin in heptane medium.