Removal of microplastics from wastewater through electrocoagulation-electroflotation and membrane filtration processes

AKARSU C., KUMBUR H., KIDEYŞ A. E.

WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, cilt.84, sa.7, ss.1648-1662, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 84 Sayı: 7
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.2166/wst.2021.356
  • Dergi Adı: WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Analytical Abstracts, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, Chimica, Compendex, EMBASE, Environment Index, Geobase, MEDLINE, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1648-1662
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: electrocoagulation, electroflotation, fibers, membrane filtration, microplastic, wastewater treatment, TREATMENT PLANTS, PARTICLES, FATE, SEDIMENTS, IDENTIFICATION, TRANSPORT, SEA
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

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/En 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/m(2)), 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/m(2) 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 were supplied maximum removal efficiency (100%) compared to conventional secondary and tertiary treatment methods (2-81.6%) in the removal of microplastics.