Magnetic Material Regeneration for Microplastic Aggregate Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic separation methods for microplastics from aqueous matrices generate aggregates with magnetic material, leading to increased density and hindered characterization, limiting their separation and reuse of magnetic material.

Innovation Solution

Introduce microplastic/magnetic iron material aggregates into a highly concentrated saline solution to break up the interaction, allowing separation of both types of solids efficiently, with recovery yields exceeding 99.0% and reuse of magnetic material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnetic separation method is used to remove microplastics from aqueous matrices, then separation effectiveness is improved, but magnetic material consumption increases and waste aggregates are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidmagnetic material consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a recovery process where magnetic material is separated from microplastic aggregates through density separation in saline solution and subsequent magnetic separation. The recovered magnetic material is regenerated and reused for additional microplastic separation cycles, transforming a consumable material into a recyclable resource that maintains separation effectiveness while eliminating continuous material consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If magnetic separation method is used to remove microplastics from aqueous matrices, then separation effectiveness is improved, but waste aggregates are generated that cannot be separated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidwaste aggregates

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the microplastic/magnetic material aggregate into two separate components through a two-stage process: first density separation in saturated saline solution divides the aggregate based on density differences, then magnetic separation isolates the magnetic material particles. This segmentation transforms the harmful waste aggregate into separable components where microplastics are recovered clean and magnetic material is regenerated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If microplastic/magnetic material aggregates are formed, then microplastic separation is achieved, but microplastic density increases and characterization is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroplastic separationVSAvoidmicroplastic characterization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the magnetic material component from the microplastic aggregate through density separation in saline solution followed by magnetic separation. This extraction removes the interfering magnetic material from the microplastic sample, restoring the original microplastic density and enabling accurate characterization without magnetic interference while maintaining the effectiveness of the separation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If microplastic/magnetic material aggregates are formed, then microplastic separation is achieved, but magnetic material reuse is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroplastic separationVSAvoidmagnetic material reuse

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers magnetic material from microplastic aggregates through density separation and magnetic separation processes. The regenerated magnetic material is characterized to confirm its properties and is then reused for additional microplastic separation cycles, transforming the magnetic material from a single-use consumable into a reusable resource that maintains separation effectiveness across multiple cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The process effectively separates microplastics from magnetic material, achieving high recovery yields and maintaining the magnetic material's composition and efficacy for reuse, while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

introducing the aggregates in a concentrated aqueous saline solution for breaking up the interaction binding them together

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSaline solution interaction:

Implementation Method 2

separating both types of solids by density and/or by applying a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field separation: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

separating both types of solids by density and/or by applying a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity separation: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12528089B2Method for the regeneration of the magnetic material used for the magnetic removal of microplastics from aqueous matrices

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF MADRID

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for breaking up microplastic/magnetic material aggregates. The process allows both regenerating the magnetic material and obtaining magnetic material-free microplastics. The present invention consists fundamentally of breaking up magnetic material/microplastic aggregates by means of treatment thereof with a concentrated aqueous saline solution, and subsequently separating both types of solids by density and/or by applying a magnetic field.