Abstract

The petroleum refining industry generates substantial volumes of oily waste containing recalcitrant hydrocarbons, presenting significant environmental and economic challenges. Traditional methods for treating such waste often fall short in terms of efficiency and environmental impact. Recent advancements in supramolecular chemistry have spurred the development of advanced molecular amphiphiles tailored for emulsifying and treating hydrocarbons in these waste streams. This abstract explores the application of advanced molecular amphiphiles in enhancing emulsification processes, their mechanisms of interaction with hydrocarbons, and the potential environmental and economic benefits of their use. Key considerations include the structural design of amphiphiles, their ability to form stable emulsions, and their role in improving the efficiency of subsequent treatment methods. Challenges such as scalability and environmental safety are also discussed, alongside future research directions aimed at optimizing these technologies for widespread application in petroleum refining waste management.