Agglomeration–Flotation of Microplastics Using Kerosene as Bridging Liquid for Particle Size Enlargement

Pongsiri Julapong, Jiraphon Ekasin, Pattaranun Katethol, Palot Srichonphaisarn, Onchanok Juntarasakul, Apisit Numprasanthai, Carlito Baltazar Tabelin and Theerayut Phengsaart ()
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Pongsiri Julapong: Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Jiraphon Ekasin: Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Pattaranun Katethol: Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Palot Srichonphaisarn: Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Onchanok Juntarasakul: Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Apisit Numprasanthai: Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Carlito Baltazar Tabelin: Department of Materials and Resources Engineering Technology, College of Engineering and Technology, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
Theerayut Phengsaart: Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-8

Abstract: Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastics with diameters between 1 and 5000 µm, are problematic pollutants in the environment, but their removal is challenging because of their minute size. One promising approach for their removal is flotation because MPs are inherently hydrophobic. However, the very small particle size of MPs lowers the probability of MPs-bubble collision and attachment that in turn affects the efficiency of the process. To address this challenge, we propose the use of agglomeration-flotation, a technique using kerosene as a bridging liquid to enlarge the particle sizes of MPs and make them amenable to flotation. In this study, the effects of kerosene dosage on particle size enlargement and floatability of six types of MPs with 100–1000 µm size fractions were investigated. The results showed that MPs with lower density compared with water could easily float in water without bubble attachment and particle agglomeration required. So, the effects of agglomeration on removal were negligible. In contrast, agglomeration using kerosene enhanced the floatability of MPs with high-density plastics. Moreover, image analysis was used to determine the agglomerated MPs’ particle size. The results indicate that kerosene could agglomerate the MPs and enhanced the removal of MPs by agglomeration-flotation.

Keywords: microplastics; flotation; particle size enlargement; bubble attachment; water treatment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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