Study of Polyurethane Microplastics Removal from Water Using Smart Installation.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Water Treatment Technologies

Background:

• Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants requiring efficient removal from water.
• Existing treatment technologies need enhancement to meet regulatory standards for MP concentrations.
• Polyurethane microplastics are understudied, necessitating research into their removal mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficiency of various coagulants and flocculants for removing polyurethane microplastics from synthetic aqueous solutions.
• To investigate the performance of a novel Smart Decantation-Filtration System (SDFS) for microplastic removal.
• To develop mathematical models predicting microplastic removal efficiency based on key process variables.

Main Methods:

• Jar tests were conducted to determine optimal coagulant and flocculant doses (aluminum sulfate, iron sulfate, polyaluminum chloride, Aloe Vera, activated carbon).
• Turbidity and removal efficiencies were measured using different treatment agents.
• A laboratory pilot plant (SDFS) was employed, with efficiency optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) considering flow rate, microplastic size, and coagulant concentration.

Main Results:

• Aluminum sulfate demonstrated significant efficiency, reducing turbidity to 6-10 NTU within 50-60 minutes.
• The SDFS achieved optimal polyurethane microplastic removal efficiencies of 98.98% through sedimentation.
• Filtration within the SDFS further enhanced removal efficiency to over 99.5%.

Conclusions:

• Coagulants and flocculants are effective in aiding microplastic sedimentation.
• The developed Smart Decantation-Filtration System shows high potential for efficient microplastic removal from water.
• This research provides a viable technical solution for addressing polyurethane microplastic pollution in wastewater and natural water bodies.