STUDIES ON ACTIVATED CLAY ENCAPSULATED WITH NANOPARTICLES FOR THE DECOLARISATION OF VEGETABLE OIL

Kaolinite clay, a crucial component of kaolin, is widely utilized in various applications, including pottery and adsorbent production. Despite effective beneficiation methods, concerns persist regarding their cost and environmental impact. The process of palm oil bleaching, crucial in refining, commonly employs activated carbon. Modifying clay minerals enhances adsorption, with acid activation and impregnation being prevalent methods. The properties of Nigerian kaolinite clay are pivotal in applications like paints, rubber, and adsorbents. This research aims to develop and characterize adsorbents encapsulated with nanoparticles from active kaolin clays for oil refineries and specific processes. The study explores reaction mechanisms, beneficiation processes, and synthesis techniques. Beneficiated Kaolin undergoes acid treatment to remove impurities, followed by zinc oxide (ZnO) synthesis using Moringa leaf extract. The resulting ZnO/Kaolin composite nanoparticles are analyzed using a Central Composite Design (CCD) to optimize process variables like calcination, set at high (5) and low (1) levels, with temperatures of 600°C and 300°C, and times of 60 mins and 30 mins. Characterization techniques include scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and UV-Vis spectrophotometry of Beneficiated Kaolin and ZnO-K NP in Dosages, also calculating bleaching efficiency. Results indicate successful synthesis and activation of ZnO/Kaolin nanocomposites with enhanced adsorption properties. ANOVA analysis shows p-values categorized as follows: p < 0.05 (significant), 0.05 ≤ p < 0.1 (marginally significant), and p ≥ 0.1 (not significant). The quadratic model for iodine value yields an actual value of 198.54, with DOE highlighting significant process parameter optimization for adsorption efficiency. Recommendations include further parameter optimization, investigation of adsorption kinetics/mechanisms, exploring environmental applications, scale-up for industrial use, and comparative studies with other adsorbents. The study reveals the physiosorbed water at 1.9% total weight loss and the dihydroxylation of Kaolin resulting in a 13% weight loss during beneficiation. Elemental composition analysis via SEM-EDS shows elements such as silicon (Si), calcium (Ca), oxygen (O), and aluminum (Al) in both Beneficiated Kaolin and ZnO-K NP, with only ZnO-K NP exhibiting zinc (Zn) presence among detected elements. This research enhances understanding and application of ZnO/Kaolin nanocomposites in adsorption processes, providing sustainable solutions for various industries.