RMIT University Develops Dual-Bubble Approach to Enhance Microplastic Removal in Wastewater
Researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, have developed a dual-bubble approach to significantly improve the removal of microplastics from wastewater. This method combines microbubbles and nanobubbles to enhance the effectiveness of dissolved air flotation, a common water treatment process. The study found that using both types of bubbles together increased plastic removal rates, outperforming systems that relied on either bubble type alone. The approach is simple to implement and can be adopted by wastewater treatment plants without major infrastructure changes, optimizing existing operating conditions such as air pressure, saturation time, and bubble size. The research team is now seeking industry partners to validate this approach under real operating conditions.