Mindanao researchers develop foam technology to help in oil spill containment

Researchers from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) developed a foam technology called “cocoflexsorb" that will be able to help in the cleaning of the Oriental Mindoro oil spill.

Cocoflexsorb is said to have a superior oil absorption capacity that can absorb different oil types such as light, vegetable, kerosene, engine, and bunker oil.

“Ang foam po na ito ay galing po sa coconut oil so, ginawan po ng formulation sa lab natin sa NICER (Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D) Center for Sustainable Polymers (CSP) sa MSU-IIT,” said Dr. Roberto Malaluan, Professor, CSP Industry Coordinator, MSU-IIT.

(The foam comes from coconut oil and was developed in the NICER lab.)

“Katunayan po, kumuha kami ng bunker oil, tapos nagtest po kami sa lab. Ginamit namin yung foam, ang nangyare po ang taas po ng absorbtion capacity nito,” added Dr. Arnold Lubguban, CSP Program Leader.

(We gathered bunker oil samples and tested it in the lab. We used the foam and saw its high absorption capacity.)

“Reusable po itong dating foam... Sa pagsusuri natin, mga 20 to 30 times, pwedeng ma-reuse yung ating cocoflexsorb,” he said, adding the cocoflex is 4 to 5 less expensive compared to other existing absorbents.

(It's reusable. Based on our research we can reuse for 20 to 30 times.)

Lubguban noted that the ability of the foam can still be enhanced, but it can already be used in containing the Mindoro oil spill.

The MSU-IIT acknowledged the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for funding the NICER Program to cater to educational institutions in the region to make significant improvements in research. —VAL, GMA Integrated News