3 ms·
TLDR: a non-polar, non-toxic, ferromagnetic agent is added to the contaminated water. Plastic particles then attach to the agent due to their non-polar nature.
by sonium 6y ago
TLDR: a non-polar, non-toxic, ferromagnetic agent is added to the contaminated water. Plastic particles then attach to the agent due to their non-polar nature. The ferromagnetic agent with absorbed micro plastics subsequently can be removed by a magnet. The process removes >90% of micro plastics.
[Updated for clarity]
- pandemic_region 6y agoWhat is the cost of such agent and is the agent in itself toxic would be my first questions ...
- Xylakant 6y agoIt's vegetable oil mixed with iron oxide (magnetite), so I'd expect indigestion if you consume it in large quantities. Other than that it's probably harmless. I wonder if the agent is reusable or whether you end up with clean water and waste-oil which you need to dispose of.
- dmos62 6y agoHow come a magnet attracts plastic particles?
- dmos62 6y agoTo answer my own question. It's vegetable oil mixed with magnetic powder. It's the oil that attracts plastic, but it's the magnetic powder that let's you collect it with a magnet.
- hyperman1 6y agoAs I understand it, he 'glues' metal to the plastic. The magnet picks up the metal, and the glued-on plastic comes along for the ride. Now anyone with basic chemical knowledge will probably shoot me for abusing the word glued like this, so feel free to correct.