Experimental investigation of the plant sorbents in comparison with Fibroil usable for runoff cleaning from petroleum products

The capability of organic (plant) sorbents: Club-rush and Lesser Bulrush (from the lake shore) for removal of petroleum products (PP) from runoff was investigated. Dynamic process was investigated using filters packed with these materials. The third material analysed, synthetic sorbent Fibroil, was chosen for comparing the results. The laboratory experiments were performed in two stages, with the following being filtrated: tap water with a diesel admixture, road runoff contaminated with PP, and also suspended solids. The significance of this work is due to high runoff filtering rate (~10 m/h) and high PP concentrations in the runoff (>50 mg/L) used in the experiment. In these cases the use of sorbents is limited. Schoenoplectus lacustris and Typha angustifolia fillers are quite efficient (92–98%) in PP removal from runoff at a 10 m/h filtering rate. Use of them for filtration was possible longer than Fibroil, it clogs up quickly. Schoenoplectus lacustris and Typha angustifolia are a natural source for the production of PP sorbents. The results obtained in this experimental work can be used in the design of equipment for the treatment of PP contaminated runoff.