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Oil-based mud waste reclamation and utilisation in low-density polyethylene composites
Shohel Siddique1, Kyari Yates2, Kerr Matthews2
1Centre for Advanced Engineering Materials, School of Engineering, Robert Gordon University, UK.
Summary
Oil-based mud (OBM) waste can be recycled into advanced clay-reinforced low-density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposites. This research demonstrates OBM slurry offers superior interfacial adhesion and thermal conductivity compared to organo-modified montmorillonite (MMT).
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Waste Management
Background:
- Oil-based mud (OBM) waste from oil and gas exploration presents a significant disposal challenge.
- Valorization of OBM waste offers a sustainable approach to resource recovery and circular economy principles.
- Developing novel nanocomposites from industrial waste streams can lead to materials with enhanced properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effective recovery and recycling of OBM waste for creating tailor-made nanocomposites.
- To compare the performance of OBM-derived clay fillers with conventional organo-modified montmorillonite (MMT) in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrices.
- To evaluate the thermo-chemical characteristics and interfacial adhesion of OBM slurry-reinforced LDPE nanocomposites.
Main Methods:
- Elemental analysis (ICP-OES, XRF), FTIR spectroscopy for chemical structure.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological analysis.
- Calorimetry, thermogravimetry, XRD for thermo-chemical and structural evaluation.
Main Results:
- OBM slurry confirmed to contain clay minerals and inorganic salts.
- Microscopic and XRD analyses indicated superior interfacial adhesion and delamination structure for OBM slurry compared to MMT.
- Nanocomposites with higher filler content exhibited thermal conductive behavior, with OBM slurry showing a notable decrease in heat capacity and increased residue after thermogravimetric analysis.
Conclusions:
- OBM waste can be effectively valorised into clay-reinforced LDPE nanocomposites.
- OBM slurry demonstrates potential as a superior filler compared to MMT due to enhanced interfacial adhesion.
- The study provides insights for manufacturing renewable nanocomposites with improved structural and thermal properties from industrial waste.
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