Recovery of Energy-Rich Hydrocarbon Fractions from Petroleum Sludge via Solvent Extraction: Insights from GC-MS Profiling Siska Nuri Fadilah (a), Wahyu Setiawan (a), Zainal Fanani (b), Muhammad Faizal (c), May Sarah Tampubolon (c), Fakhili Gulo (a*)
(a) Department of Environmental Science, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Sriwijaya, Palembang 30139, South Sumatra, Indonesia
(b) Department of Chemistry, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya, Ogan Ilir 30662, South Sumatra, Indonesia
(c) Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya, Ogan Ilir 30662, South Sumatra, Indonesia
Abstract
Petroleum sludge waste is a hazardous waste that still contains high-energy hydrocarbon fractions, thus offering potential for reuse through an energy recovery approach. This study aims to examine the composition of hydrocarbons extracted from petroleum sludge and evaluate the potential for energy recovery based on the distribution of the compounds obtained. The method used was a batch extraction system with a reflux system using a commercial hydrocarbon solvent at a 1:1 sludge-to-solvent ratio at 60 celcius for 40 minutes with magnetic stirring. The extraction results were then separated by fractional distillation to separate the solids, water, solvent, and oil fractions. The resulting oil fractions were further characterized using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). The analysis results showed a predominance of aromatic hydrocarbons at 71.7% in the petroleum sludge waste extract, indicating the presence of compounds with high thermal stability and energy density. Furthermore, the aliphatic fraction of 22.92% in the C10 until C26 range indicated the presence of hydrocarbons in the liquid fuel range. Oxygenated compounds (2.69%) and heavy bioactive compounds (3.28%) were also detected in minor amounts. The predominance of aromatic hydrocarbons indicates a tendency for selective extraction of thermally stable compounds, while the presence of the aliphatic fraction strengthens its potential use as a fuel. These results confirm that a simple solvent extraction method can recover high-energy hydrocarbon fractions from petroleum sludge waste. Therefore, this waste is not only a source of pollution but also a potential source for energy recovery within a sustainability and circular economy framework.
Keywords: Energy Recovery, GC-MS, Petroleum Sludge, Solvent Extraction, Waste-to-Energy.
