Oil–water separation in kitchen wastewater filtration using milkweed floss fiber.

Extensive research has been conducted in the last decade on the use of natural fibers to clean up oil pollution. This study aims to examine the potential of milkweed fibers in treating kitchen wastewater. The main focus will be on evaluating the dynamic function of these fibers in terms of absorbing oil and water from waste, in order to determine their effectiveness for this particular application. To study the oil–water separation dynamics in milkweed filters, the density of the milkweed pack was varied at 0.07, 0.09, and 0.1 g/cm³. Additionally, the fiber placement within the filtration system (regular and random) and the liquid flow rates of 0.04 and 0.02 m³/h were considered. The findings of the oil sorption capacity tests indicate that the milkweed fiber sorbent kit can absorb more oil at lower flow rates compared to higher flow rates. Moreover, the packing density of the fibers also affects the oil sorption capability of the kit, with higher packing densities reducing its efficiency. The placement of the fibers within the adsorption kit is also significant, as regular placement results in better oil sorption compared to tangled or randomly placed fibers. The water wettability of milkweed floss fibers was evaluated, revealing their hydrophobic nature with a water contact angle of approximately 147°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]