Capturing Microplastics from Aquatic Systems Using Vortex-based Cyclone Technique

Plastic pollution is an acknowledged global problem. As estimated, about 82% of marine litter is plastics, while about 94% of marine plastics are defined as microplastics (MPs), which is less than 5mm in size. MPs have been regarded as widespread emerging pollutants. Different from the commonly used sedimentation, absorption or filtration technologies for aquatic MP capture, this work proposed a cost-effective and scalable solution using the vortex-based cyclone technique for collecting aquatic-borne MPs. Based on a lab-scaled setup and the use of artificial microbeads, the experimental results showed clear and promising evidence of the proposed concept and technology. Different operating conditions are also investigated with the aim controlling the hydrocyclone at its highest separation efficiency, subject to diverse process variations.