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Response Surface Methodology for Optimizing Electrocoagolation-based Removal of Polypropylene Microplastics from Wastewater: Efficiency Comparison of Rubber and Thermoplastic-Derived Particles
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This study optimized electrocoagulation for polypropylene microplastic removal from wastewater, achieving 97% efficiency at a cost of roughly $0.23 per cubic meter under ideal pH and current density conditions, with over 90% efficiency across all tested plastic types. The results offer a cost-effective, scalable treatment approach that could significantly reduce microplastic discharge into aquatic environments from municipal and industrial wastewater.
Microplastics (MPs) pose significant environmental and health risks due to their persistence, ability to adsorb toxic chemicals, and widespread distribution in aquatic environments. Despite advancements in water treatment technologies, finding a method that is not only efficient and effective but also affordable for removing MPs especially polypropylene (PP) MPs from wastewater has been a significant challenge. This study investigates the use of electrocoagulation (EC) as an economical and sustainable solution to address this challenge. Using Central Composite Design (CCD), the EC process was optimized for PP MPs removal, achieving a maximum efficiency of 97% under optimal conditions: a pH of 7.7, current density of 11.7 A/m2, and NaCl concentration of 1 g/L. The study also evaluates the impact of factors like particle size, electrode configurations, and MP types, including polyethylene (PE), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and waste rubber (WR), on removal efficiency. Results reveal that all MP types were removed with over 90% efficiency. Notably, MPs derived from thermoplastics like PP and PE were removed more efficiently than rubber-based microparticles like SBR and WR. Moreover, the estimated operational cost of removing PP MPS was approximately $0.23 per cubic meter of treated water, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of EC process for wastewater treatment.
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