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Xextex Oil Retention Study

Introduction -  One proposed use for X-TEX media is as a filter/sorbent in stormwater catch basin inserts.  Previous studies have shown this product’s excellent ability to filter and adsorb petroleum hydrocarbons from water on contact. It is also important that any material used have the ability to retain adsorbed hydrocarbons thru intermittent dry weather periods. Potential users requested a study to determine X-TEX’s ability to retain adsorbed hydrocarbons.

An oil retention study was conducted using X-TEX filter/sorbent media and a sorbent media (granulated reactive polymer) currently preferred for this use. The study was designed to measure and compare oil loss from each of the media after alternating periods of water flushing and drying.

Method -  20 grams of each media was weighed and placed into a filter apparatus.  10 grams of used motor oil was poured into each media. A high oil to media ratio was purposely used to increase the chances for measurable oil loss. After five minutes each filter was flushed with one liter of water. This flushing was repeated at measured intervals from one hour to three days. The flush waters from each interval were analyzed in accordance with EPA Method 413.1 to determine the weight of any oil rinsed from the filters. The results of these analyses are presented in Table 1.

10 grams Motor Oil Initial Loading

  Table 1
Flushed Oil (weight in grams)
Flushed Oil  (percent)

Time

X-TEX

Reactive Polymer

X-TEX

Reactive Polymer

5 min.

   0.014

0.609

   0.2

   6.1

1 hr.

   0.003

0.048

< 0.1

   0.5

2 hr.

   0.007

0.007

< 0.1

   0.1

6 hr.

   0.001

0.005

< 0.1

   0.1

1 day

   0.003

0.003

< 0.1

< 0.1

2 days

< 0.001

0.002

< 0.1

< 0.1

3 days

< 0.001

0.001

< 0.1

< 0.1

TOTAL

0.029

0.675

0.3

6.8

Conclusions -  Given the extreme test conditions, both products retained oil well after the first hour. The “reactive polymer” released a substantial amount in the first hour, which may be the time required to complete the media/oil reaction. Oil adsorption to the X-TEX media was almost immediate. After one day the percent of oil flushed from either media was less than measurable. 

Total oil flushed:  X-TEX – 0.03 gm;  “reactive polymer” – 0.7 gm

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