Volume 14, Issue 2 (9-2026)
J Environ Health Eng 2026, 14(2): 153-183 |
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Mehralipour J, Babaeinia P. Effective Removal of Polyethylene Microplastics from Aqueous Environments by Electrocoagulation: Modeling, Optimization, and Process Applicability. , J Environ Health Eng. 2026; 14 (2) :153-183
URL: http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1177-en.html
URL: http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1177-en.html
1- Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, Social Health Research Institute, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Health Safety and Environment Management, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,pariya.babaei251079@yahoo.com
2- Department of Health Safety and Environment Management, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract: (24 Views)
Background: Given the emerging risks associated with microplastics, the efficiency of the electrocoagulation process for polyethylene removal was optimized, and its performance in combination with photo- and sono-electrocoagulation processes was evaluated.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a batch electrochemical reactor with a working volume of 1 L. Process variables were optimized using a central composite design. Under optimum conditions, the effects of ultrasound waves and ultraviolet irradiation, as well as COD and TOC removal, reaction kinetics, and energy consumption, were investigated.
Results: The quadratic model provided a suitable fit to the process data. The optimum conditions (pH= 6.9, current= 3 A, inter-electrode distance = 1 cm, and six electrodes) achieved a removal efficiency of 96.8% after 75 min. Under identical 45-min conditions, the removal efficiencies of photoelectrocoagulation, sono-electrocoagulation, and electrocoagulation were 92%, 88%, and 73%, respectively. The removal kinetics followed a zero-order model for electrocoagulation and a first-order model for the hybrid systems. Changes in the synergy factor over the 15-75 min interval indicated that the efficiency of the hybrid systems increased with time. The reductions in COD/TOC were lower than the microplastic removal efficiency, suggesting the predominance of physical separation over surface oxidation. The specific energy consumption for electrocoagulation, photoelectrocoagulation, and sono-electrocoagulation was calculated as 33.75, 38.25, and 198.75 kWh/m³, respectively.
Conclusion: The hybrid photo- and sono-electrocoagulation processes demonstrated higher efficiency than conventional electrocoagulation by accelerating removal kinetics and enhancing performance, and they show good potential for application in the treatment of aquatic environments contaminated with microplastics.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a batch electrochemical reactor with a working volume of 1 L. Process variables were optimized using a central composite design. Under optimum conditions, the effects of ultrasound waves and ultraviolet irradiation, as well as COD and TOC removal, reaction kinetics, and energy consumption, were investigated.
Results: The quadratic model provided a suitable fit to the process data. The optimum conditions (pH= 6.9, current= 3 A, inter-electrode distance = 1 cm, and six electrodes) achieved a removal efficiency of 96.8% after 75 min. Under identical 45-min conditions, the removal efficiencies of photoelectrocoagulation, sono-electrocoagulation, and electrocoagulation were 92%, 88%, and 73%, respectively. The removal kinetics followed a zero-order model for electrocoagulation and a first-order model for the hybrid systems. Changes in the synergy factor over the 15-75 min interval indicated that the efficiency of the hybrid systems increased with time. The reductions in COD/TOC were lower than the microplastic removal efficiency, suggesting the predominance of physical separation over surface oxidation. The specific energy consumption for electrocoagulation, photoelectrocoagulation, and sono-electrocoagulation was calculated as 33.75, 38.25, and 198.75 kWh/m³, respectively.
Conclusion: The hybrid photo- and sono-electrocoagulation processes demonstrated higher efficiency than conventional electrocoagulation by accelerating removal kinetics and enhancing performance, and they show good potential for application in the treatment of aquatic environments contaminated with microplastics.
Keywords: Polyethylene microplastics, Electrocoagulation, Photoelectrocoagulation, Sono-electrocoagulation, Response surface methodology
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/07/25 | Accepted: 2026/09/3 | Published: 2026/09/20
Received: 2026/07/25 | Accepted: 2026/09/3 | Published: 2026/09/20
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