Microplastic Removal via Organic Acid Flocculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of microplastics in diagnostic tests poses environmental and health risks due to their non-biodegradability and the inefficacy of existing methods for removing them from wastewater, which often result in the flocculation of inorganic acids and subsequent water pollution.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of organic or mineral acids to adjust the pH of liquid samples containing microplastics below their pKs value, allowing for the agglomeration and separation of microplastics, using specific acids such as those from the group CH3−[CH2]n—COH, COOH—CH2—(SH)—CH2—(CH3)—COOH, and HO—SO2—NH2(CH)r(CH2)s—CH3, which are capable of destabilizing negatively charged microplastic particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inorganic acids (FeCl3, AlCl3) are used to deplete microplastic, then microplastic can be flocculated and removed, but the inorganic acids themselves precipitate with microplastic creating additional waste and polluting water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the flocculation agent from inorganic acids (FeCl3, AlCl3) to organic acids with specific pKs values. By selecting organic acids whose pKs is lower than the microplastic's pKs, the patent achieves flocculation without the harmful precipitation and water pollution caused by inorganic acids. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining removal efficiency while eliminating harmful residues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs organic acids that can be used in controlled amounts and do not persist in the environment like inorganic acids. The organic acids perform their flocculation function and then can be degraded or removed, avoiding the long-term pollution problem created by inorganic acid residues. This approach treats the flocculation agent as a temporary, consumable substance rather than a persistent contaminant.
2Reliability
If inorganic acids are used for flocculation, then microplastic is removed from liquid sample, but aluminum and other metals remain in wastewater endangering population health
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical nature of the flocculation agent from metal-based inorganic acids to carbon-based organic acids. This parameter change eliminates the introduction of harmful metals into the wastewater stream while maintaining the flocculation mechanism. The organic acids achieve separation without contaminating the water with toxic metal residues that pose health risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of acid-based flocculation into a benefit by using organic acids that can be degraded. Instead of introducing persistent metal contaminants, the method uses acids that perform their function and then can be broken down or removed, turning a potentially harmful process into an environmentally benign one.
3Ease of operation
If microplastic is disposed via sewage system, then diagnostic test workflow is simple, but environmental and health risks increase due to non-biodegradable microplastic accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts microplastic from the liquid sample through acid-induced flocculation before discharge. By removing microplastic particles through aggregation and precipitation, the method separates the harmful component from the wastewater stream, allowing the treated water to be safely discharged while concentrating microplastic for separate disposal or recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and aggregation level of microplastic from dispersed particles to aggregated flocs through pH control. This parameter change enables easy separation of microplastic from wastewater through simple filtration or sedimentation, maintaining operational simplicity while eliminating environmental discharge of microplastic.
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
This approach effectively separates microplastics from wastewater, reducing environmental risk and avoiding the pollution caused by inorganic acid flocculation, while being safer and more environmentally friendly than previous methods.
Implementation Method 1
Treating the liquid sample comprising at least an acid so that the pH value of the liquid sample is smaller than the at least one pKs value of the microplastic
Implementation Method 2
the pH value of the liquid sample is smaller than the at least one pKs value of the microplastic... allowing for the agglomeration and separation of microplastics
Implementation Method 3
using specific acids such as those from the group... which are capable of destabilizing negatively charged microplastic particles
Implementation Method 4
effectively separates microplastics from wastewater... allowing for the agglomeration and separation of microplastics
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for treating a liquid sample comprising at least one diagnostic assay reagent after use. The present invention further relates to a tablet, a purified liquid sample, a diagnostic assay reagent, a waste water treatment system, a kit and uses thereof for treating the said liquid sample.