Study on removal of microplastics using magnetic separation

In recent years, the impact of microplastics (MPs) on ecosystems is a serious problem. Since MPs are difficult to recover once they are dispersed into the environment, it is important to remove them at the source. We proposed a magnetic separation of primary MPs (plastics manufactured in minute sizes) sized 10-100 ㎛ that has not been removed in the sewage process, based on the magnetic seeding process. In this study, we used magnetite as a magnetic seeding agent, and conducted magnetic separation experiments in the continuous process using a superconducting solenoidal magnet to investigate the feasibility of practical magnetic separation system of MPs. As a result, 85% separation rate was obtained by continuous separation using high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) with hydrophobically treated magnetite as a magnetic seeding agent.