Polyvinyl Alcohol Cryogels as an Efficient Spent-Oil Utilization Method

Samples of cryogels produced from aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol and containing spent mineral oils in the polymer matrix were obtained. The influence of the content and composition of the mineral oils on the rheological and physicochemical properties of the cryogels was studied. A method for producing fuel briquettes from the cryogels filled with coke particles and impregnated with spent mineral oil was developed. The mechanical and thermophysical properties of the filled briquettes were studied. The heat of combustion of dry briquettes was practically the same as that of pure coke. The briquettes were as strong as pine and spruce wood. The proposed method could be used to utilize spent oils for fuel briquette production.