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Abstract
This study investigates a plant-based surfactant alternative as a result of the growing need for surfactants that are both economical and ecologically friendly for enhanced oil recovery. Using alkali from corn cobs, this study explores the synthesis of a natural surfactant from Aloe vera for possible use in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Corn cobs were calcined for eight hours at 450°C to produce the alkali, which was then extracted using distilled water. Aloe vera leaves were macerated with 62.5% ethanol to extract saponins, which were then filtered and the
solvent evaporated. To create the surfactant, the isolated saponins were mixed with the alkali solution that had been created under controlled conditions.
Several tests were carried out to assess the surfactant's effectiveness. Tests for emulsification and foam stability were carried out to evaluate the characteristics. The surfactant's functional groups were also compared to those of the synthetic surfactant Tween 80 using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed using Box-Behnken Design to optimize the experimental variables and produce surfactant.
The research results showed that the aloe vera-derived surfactant proved a viable alternative for conventional synthetic surfactants due to its foaming ability and emulsion formation. The existence of functional groups typical of surfactants was confirmed by the FTIR analysis which was similar to that of tween 80. The surfactant produced had an optimum volume of emulsion of 2.52 ml which was achieved with saponin concentration of 0.0587 g/ml, 0.0186g/ml alkaline concentration at the duration of 53 mins. The RSM model was seen to be quite effective in
optimizing surfactant production because of the R2 of 0.9719. This study demonstrates the viability of using agricultural waste (corn cobs) with locally produced aloe vera to create an affordable and sustainable surfactant, supporting environmentally friendly industrial processes.
solvent evaporated. To create the surfactant, the isolated saponins were mixed with the alkali solution that had been created under controlled conditions.
Several tests were carried out to assess the surfactant's effectiveness. Tests for emulsification and foam stability were carried out to evaluate the characteristics. The surfactant's functional groups were also compared to those of the synthetic surfactant Tween 80 using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed using Box-Behnken Design to optimize the experimental variables and produce surfactant.
The research results showed that the aloe vera-derived surfactant proved a viable alternative for conventional synthetic surfactants due to its foaming ability and emulsion formation. The existence of functional groups typical of surfactants was confirmed by the FTIR analysis which was similar to that of tween 80. The surfactant produced had an optimum volume of emulsion of 2.52 ml which was achieved with saponin concentration of 0.0587 g/ml, 0.0186g/ml alkaline concentration at the duration of 53 mins. The RSM model was seen to be quite effective in
optimizing surfactant production because of the R2 of 0.9719. This study demonstrates the viability of using agricultural waste (corn cobs) with locally produced aloe vera to create an affordable and sustainable surfactant, supporting environmentally friendly industrial processes.
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