Switchgrass as oil and water-spill sorbent: Effect of particle size, torrefaction, and regeneration methods

Switchgrass, both raw and torrefied, was tested for its ability to sorb water or oil. The cyclic performance also examined, utilizing centrifugal extraction as the regeneration method. Both oil sorption capacity increase with decreasing size of switchgrass particles. Results indicate that 3 mm can at a about 6 times mass mass, which makes it suitable biodegradable sorbent. Torrefaction 220 °C 30 min reduces by an average 55% but does not have statistically significant impact on sorption. Sorption liquid is negatively correlated particle size. Centrifugation able partially desorb either from sorbent, subsequent cycles do display lower than first cycle when calculated dry basis.