Electrocoagulation applied for the removal of microplastics from wastewater treatment facilities
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
12-1-2021
Abstract
This study evaluated the efficacy of electrocoagulation methods for the removal of microplastics using both synthetic solutions and wastewater samples. The experiments were performed with commercial polyester microplastic in batch reactors. Current density (1.92–8.07 mA/cm2), pH (2–7), microplastic size range (25–1500 μm), and electrolysis time (0–90 min) were the variables used to assess the process. When using synthetic solutions with pH values of 4 and 7 and current densities of 2.88 and 8.07 mA/cm2, the microplastic removal efficiency was at least 99% in all cases. Measurement of Particle Image velocity (PIV) and analysis of Scanning Electron Cryomicroscopy (Cryo-SEM) were used as monitoring tools for tracking the activity of the hydrogen gas bubbles. The lowest estimated operational costs were obtained by using a current density of 2.88 mA/cm2 and an initial pH of 4. Using real wastewater samples, the removal efficiency of microplastics was 96.5%. In addition, 92.2% of COD and 88.8% of thermotolerant coliform colonies were removed. The results of the study showed that electrocoagulation effectively can remove microplastics from wastewater streams at low operational costs while simultaneously reducing both COD and thermotolerant coliforms.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Separation and Purification Technology
Volume
276
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Elkhatib, Dounia, Vinka Oyanedel-Craver, and Elvis Carissimi. "Electrocoagulation applied for the removal of microplastics from wastewater treatment facilities." Separation and Purification Technology 276, (2021). doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.118877.