Applicability of oil adsorption pads based on properties of very-low sulfur fuel oil: Implications for oil spill remediation in a marine environment

Given the urgent need for continuous and diverse research on marine fuel oils, this study investigated the effects of the properties of fuel oil on its adsorption to adsorbent materials. Very low-sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), which is increasingly being utilized in vessels, was tested to simulate adsorption from seawater at temperatures of 1, 15, and 25 degrees C. Temperature minimally affected the adsorbed amount of low-viscosity VLSFOs and high-sulfur fuel oils. Conversely, the amount of high-viscosity VLSFO adsorbed decreased sharply at 1 and 15 degrees C. The viscosity, pour point, aromatics, asphaltenes, and wax contents of fuel oils determined the amounts adsorbed on an adsorbent. Therefore, at low sea surface temperatures associated with VLSFO spills, adsorption may be challenging. These findings highlight the need to improve fuel oil quality to accommodate spills in the marine environment.