Removal of microplastics from wastewater through electrocoagulation-electroflotation and membrane filtration processes
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are one of the major vectors of microplastics (MPs) pollution for the recipient water bodies. Therefore, the recovery of MPs from WWTPs is extremely important for decreasing their accumulation and impact in aquatic systems. In this present study, the electrocoagul...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IWA Publishing
2021-10-01
|
| Series: | Water Science and Technology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://wst.iwaponline.com/content/84/7/1648 |
| _version_ | 1818988970469490688 |
|---|---|
| author | Ceyhun Akarsu Halil Kumbur Ahmet Erkan Kideys |
| author_facet | Ceyhun Akarsu Halil Kumbur Ahmet Erkan Kideys |
| author_sort | Ceyhun Akarsu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are one of the major vectors of microplastics (MPs) pollution for the recipient water bodies. Therefore, the recovery of MPs from WWTPs is extremely important for decreasing their accumulation and impact in aquatic systems. In this present study, the electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC/EF) and membrane filtration processes were investigated in removing MPs from wastewaters. The effectiveness of different electrode combinations (Fe-Al and Al-Fe), current density (10–20 A/m2), pH (4.0–10.0) and operating times (0–120 min) on the removal of two different polymer particles in water were investigated to obtain maximum treatment efficiency. The effect of pressure (1–3 bar) on membrane filtration removal efficiency was also investigated. The maximum removal efficiencies were obtained as 100% for both polymer types with electrode combination of Al-Fe, initial pH of 7, current density of 20 A/m2 and reaction time of 10 min. The membrane filtration method also displayed a 100% removal efficiency. In addition, these laboratory-scale results were compared with the one-year average data of a plant treating with real-scale membranes. The results indicated that the proposed processes supplied maximum removal efficiency (100%) compared to conventional secondary and tertiary treatment methods (2–81.6%) in the removal of microplastics. HIGHLIGHTS
One of the few laboratory-scale studies on microplastics removal.;
First study on microplastic removal by electrocoagulation.;
1-year average result data for real-scale membrane filtration efficiency.; |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T19:31:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b1749b5d4706448a95a5d375ac78f3f8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0273-1223 1996-9732 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T19:31:02Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | IWA Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water Science and Technology |
| spelling | doaj.art-b1749b5d4706448a95a5d375ac78f3f82022-12-21T19:28:47ZengIWA PublishingWater Science and Technology0273-12231996-97322021-10-018471648166210.2166/wst.2021.356356Removal of microplastics from wastewater through electrocoagulation-electroflotation and membrane filtration processesCeyhun Akarsu0Halil Kumbur1Ahmet Erkan Kideys2 Department of Environmental Engineering, Mersin University, 33343 Yenisehir, Mersin, Turkey Department of Environmental Engineering, Mersin University, 33343 Yenisehir, Mersin, Turkey Institute of Marine Science, Middle East Technical University, 33731 Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are one of the major vectors of microplastics (MPs) pollution for the recipient water bodies. Therefore, the recovery of MPs from WWTPs is extremely important for decreasing their accumulation and impact in aquatic systems. In this present study, the electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC/EF) and membrane filtration processes were investigated in removing MPs from wastewaters. The effectiveness of different electrode combinations (Fe-Al and Al-Fe), current density (10–20 A/m2), pH (4.0–10.0) and operating times (0–120 min) on the removal of two different polymer particles in water were investigated to obtain maximum treatment efficiency. The effect of pressure (1–3 bar) on membrane filtration removal efficiency was also investigated. The maximum removal efficiencies were obtained as 100% for both polymer types with electrode combination of Al-Fe, initial pH of 7, current density of 20 A/m2 and reaction time of 10 min. The membrane filtration method also displayed a 100% removal efficiency. In addition, these laboratory-scale results were compared with the one-year average data of a plant treating with real-scale membranes. The results indicated that the proposed processes supplied maximum removal efficiency (100%) compared to conventional secondary and tertiary treatment methods (2–81.6%) in the removal of microplastics. HIGHLIGHTS One of the few laboratory-scale studies on microplastics removal.; First study on microplastic removal by electrocoagulation.; 1-year average result data for real-scale membrane filtration efficiency.;http://wst.iwaponline.com/content/84/7/1648electrocoagulationelectroflotationfibersmembrane filtrationmicroplasticwastewater treatment |
| spellingShingle | Ceyhun Akarsu Halil Kumbur Ahmet Erkan Kideys Removal of microplastics from wastewater through electrocoagulation-electroflotation and membrane filtration processes Water Science and Technology electrocoagulation electroflotation fibers membrane filtration microplastic wastewater treatment |
| title | Removal of microplastics from wastewater through electrocoagulation-electroflotation and membrane filtration processes |
| title_full | Removal of microplastics from wastewater through electrocoagulation-electroflotation and membrane filtration processes |
| title_fullStr | Removal of microplastics from wastewater through electrocoagulation-electroflotation and membrane filtration processes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Removal of microplastics from wastewater through electrocoagulation-electroflotation and membrane filtration processes |
| title_short | Removal of microplastics from wastewater through electrocoagulation-electroflotation and membrane filtration processes |
| title_sort | removal of microplastics from wastewater through electrocoagulation electroflotation and membrane filtration processes |
| topic | electrocoagulation electroflotation fibers membrane filtration microplastic wastewater treatment |
| url | http://wst.iwaponline.com/content/84/7/1648 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ceyhunakarsu removalofmicroplasticsfromwastewaterthroughelectrocoagulationelectroflotationandmembranefiltrationprocesses AT halilkumbur removalofmicroplasticsfromwastewaterthroughelectrocoagulationelectroflotationandmembranefiltrationprocesses AT ahmeterkankideys removalofmicroplasticsfromwastewaterthroughelectrocoagulationelectroflotationandmembranefiltrationprocesses |