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Continuous-Flow Extraction of Microplastics in a Centrifugal Extractor Using a Water–Oil System
Original title: Continuous-Flow Extraction of Microplastics in a Centrifugal Extractor Using a Water–Oil System
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Scientists have developed a fast, efficient method to pull microplastic particles out of water by spinning it together with oil in a specialized device—similar to how oil and water separate, but sped up and controlled. The technique captured 98% of microplastic particles, which is promising news for improving how we detect and remove these tiny pollutants from our water supply before they end up in what we drink. While this study focused on the extraction technology itself rather than health effects, better detection tools are a key step toward understanding and reducing our exposure to microplastics.
The isolation of microplastic particles from water is an important analytical and environmental task. In this paper, a method for extracting microplastic particles from water in a centrifugal extractor using a water-oil system is proposed. The optimal operating parameters of the extractor (rotor speed, speed and ratio of liquid phase feed) for separating the two-phase water-rapeseed oil system and isolating microplastic particles into the oil phase are determined. High efficiency of microplastic extraction in a centrifugal extractor (98%) is demonstrated. It is found that 86% of microplastic particles pass into the continuous oil phase, while 12% are retained by the oil film distributed over the surface of the extractor parts. The processes of separation of aqueous and oil phases, as well as the behavior of microplastic particles in a centrifugal extractor, require further study.
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