What is the Best Option for Microplastics and Microfibers Removal in Wastewater Treatment Plants?

Taxonomy

• Membrane Bioreactor Systems
• Micropollutants
• Waste Water Treatments
• Wastewater Treatment

10 Answers

1. The recent World Health Organization report on microplastics in drinking water concluded that there is "no evidence to indicate a human health concern".

2. Since the toxicity study of microplastics and adsorbed contaminants is still a work in progress (and then there are regulations to create probably years down the road), this is a great opportunity for you to research and try on a pilot scale. I think grant opportunities are opening up.

3. Common sense really - Separation!

   Determine which filter-aperture rating (by way of Endecott Sieve analysis) is most beneficial (Performance Vs Budget) for the intended application E,g. Near Absolute Cotton/Rag removal at 1-2mm, Near Absolute Cellulose/Fibre removal at 100-200 micron and Near Absolute micro-fibre removal at 35-70 micron... www.baleen.com can be employed as fine as 20-micron.

4. Dear Muhammad,

   It is a pity that did not report the volume of effluent, microplastics content and particle size.
   A simple solution: install filters with crushed glass, having previously tested the cleaning efficiency in the laboratory.
   Contaminated glass with microplastics can be effectively used in concrete mixtures.
   If it is necessary to reduce the contamination of the effluent with organic pollutants from washing out plastics, a simple solution is also possible.
   If it is necessary to reduce the contamination of the effluent with organic pollutants from leaching of plastics, it is also possible to use simple solutions.

   Chemist-ecologist Vitalijus Gediminas

    

5. Studies have indicated that PPCPs can be adsorbed onto microplastics and fibers. An undersink RO unit is capable of removing almost all of these particles for drinking water applications. Whereas there is no proven health risk associated with consuming them, it's hard to believe that a link will not eventually be made.

   1 Comment

   1. Yes they can theoretically be absorbed but it is in equilibrium so they could also desorb as the concentration in the water changes.  The quantities and masses of the plastic particles are so small that it is unlikely that the dosage from absorbed substances would be significant. Depending upon size it would be expected that most of the particles would not go into circulation, so they should be eliminated in feces.

6. Media filtration through sand or other mineral filter media ought to be effective. To remove the finer microplastics (

7. There is no known toxicity associated with microplastics in drinking water; the counts are very low. . Standard drinking water treatment of a surface water to a low turbidity (

8. all commercial water membranes are made of plastic (polyamide, nyamide, etc) and them also are subject of ware deterioration even under design operating conditions.

9. Dear Muhammad,

    

   The membrane bioreactors (MBR) are used to remove disolved organic biodegradable pollutants and suspended solids at the same time, and its membranes will plug, or fail due to the abrasion of the platic microparticles.

   We distribute a microfiltration technology easy to use that replace the actual MBRs system, that does not fail as the membranes do, and this distributed technolgy is not affected by the abrasion of the microparticles. This technology have been used in PVC manufacturer plants, and even in WWTP of the steeel industry with having very good performance.

   If you have a real case, we can help directly to the final user with this application if we know the size of the particles tobe removed.

    

   Regards,

    

   Orlando D. Gutiérrez Coronado

10. Most microfibers released in water are between 0.1–0.8 mm in size. ... The ability to remove microplastics from water depends on their size. A European study found 90–99% of microplastics were removed in wastewater treatment plants, but removal efficiency of smaller particles (20–300 µm) was lower.  The cost factor may change the optimum answer to this important issue ... the graphene filters (even the combined Spektrum1 Graph-All, which combines all or part (MoS2/WS2, Sonification, And Microwaving) will address the very disturbing 20–300 µm particles.