CHAPTER 3

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

3.1 MICOPLASTICS SEPARATOR

A microplastics separator is a device that filters or separates microplastics from

water. The microplastics separator works on simple principles and has a simple design.

The separation process will begin with the use of a submersible pump to send water

through a check valve that only allows fluid to flow in one direction. After that, it will

pass through the ball valve, which controls the flow of water entering the pipe, before

entering the hydrocyclone separator, which separates sand and pebbles from the water.

Following the separation process in the hydrocyclone separator, the water will flow

through a pipe with three successive 50, 200, and 500-mesh filters before proceeding to

the elutriation process.

3.2 PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF A MICROPLASTICS SEPARATOR

3.2.1 Pipe

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes are composed of vinyl and plastic. The pipes are

tough, hard to break, and long-lasting. PVCs do not corrode, deteriorate, or degrade over

time. As a result, PVC piping is most commonly used in sewer lines, underground cables,

and water systems.

 Figure 3.1 PVC Pipe

3.2.2 Check Valve

A mechanical check valve is a backflow prevention device that is commonly

found in pipeline and piping systems. A check valve's one-way or non-return valve

designation refers to the fact that it only allows one direction of fluid flow. The check

valve operates on the basis of the concept of differential pressure. It implies that the

check valve will only open if the pressure upstream exceeds the pressure downstream.
 Figure 3.2 Vertical Check Valve

3.2.3 Ball Valve

Ball valves are flow control mechanisms that use rotating, hollow, perforated

balls to regulate liquid flow. When the flow inlet and the hole in the ball line up, it is

open. The handle must be twisted 90 degrees before closing.

Figure 3.3 Water Ball Valve

3.2.4 Submersible Pump

A submersible pump transports water to the surface by converting rotary energy

into kinetic and pressure energy. The water is drawn into the pump through the intake,

where the impeller's movement forces it through the diffuser and forces it to the surface.
 Figure 3.4 Submersible Pump

3.2.5 Hydrocyclone Separator

A hydrocyclone is a high-throughput gravity separation tool for sorting slurry

particles by particle weight. Water is fed tangentially into the hydrocyclone under

specific pressure. The heavier phase is pushed outward and downward along the conical

part's wall by the centrifugal force created. The decreasing diameter of the conical part

improves separation by increasing speed. After concentration, the solids are finally

released via the apex. Thanks to the vortex finder in the overflow part, the fluid in the

center of the conically formed housing is rapidly rotating upward in a spiral pattern. The

liquids are released via the overflow outlet.

Figure 3.5 Hydrocyclone Separator

3.2.6 Mesh Filters

 Mesh filters are made up of a network of metallic wires that connect to form a

pliable filter cloth with precise, rigid pore openings that engineers can customize to fit

most filter systems.

Figure 3.6 Various Sizes of Mesh Filters

3.2.7 Elutriator

Elutriators are devices that use the elutriation process, which is a method of

sorting particles based on size, shape, and density by using a stream of gas or liquid that

moves counterclockwise to the direction of sedimentation. This technique is commonly

used for particles smaller than 1 μm. Smaller or lighter particles rise to the top because

their terminal sedimentation velocities are slower than the rising fluid's (overflow).

Figure 3.7 Vertical Elutriator

3.2.8 Steel Frame

Steel framing is an excellent construction technique. It is made up of vertical and

horizontal steel bards that resemble a skeleton frame.

Figure 3.8 Steel Frames

3.3 FACTORS THAT AFFECTS MICROPLASTICS SEPARATION

3.3.1 Water Horsepower

Water horsepower, also known as water power, is the minimum amount of power

required to run a water pump.

˙
℘=ṁ w
( )
go
gc
g
( )
TDH=γ w Q TDH= ρ w o QTDH
gc

(Equation 3.3.1)
 Where:

ṁw = mass flow rate of water

γ w = specific weight of water

ρw = density of water

Q = volumetric flow rate, flow, rate of discharge

go = local or observed gravitational acceleration

m ft
go =9.806 2
=32.174 2
s s

gc = gravitational constant

k gm ∙ m l bm ∙ ft k gm ∙ m
gc =9.806 2
=32.174 2
=1 2
k gf ∙ s lb f ∙ s N∙s

3.3.2 Total Dynamic Head

Total Dynamic Head (differential or generated head) is a measurement of the

energy imparted to the liquid by the pump and equals the algebraic difference between

total discharge head and total suction head.

(V 2d−V 2s ) ( Pd −Ps )
TDH =( z d + z s ) + + +h L
2 go γw

(Equation 3.3.2)

Where:

static head, h s = ( z d + z s )

velocity head, h v =
(V 2d −V 2s )
2 go
 ( Pd −Ps )
pressure head, h p =
γw

h L = total head loss

3.3.3 Net Positive Suction Hea d available

It refers to all of the different types of energy present on the suction portion of a

pumping system. In a summary, it is the absolute pressure within the suction port of the

pump.

NPS H available=
( P SL−PVP
γw )
+ z s −h LS

(Equation 3.3.3)

Where:

PSL = pressure on the surface of the liquid from which the pump draws

PVP = vapor pressure of the liquid at the existing temperature

z s = vertical distance from the liquid surface to pump centerline

h LS = the head lost due to friction losses between the surface of the liquid

and the pump suction flange

* NPS H available should be at least equal or greater than the NPS H required to avoid

cavitation.
3.3.4 Net Positive Suction Hea d required

The suction flange pressure reading adjusted for the pump centerline, less the

water vapor pressure associated with the liquid's temperature, plus the suction flange

velocity head.

( )
2
P −PVP ( V SF )
NPS H required = SF +
γw 2 go

(Equation 3.3.4)

Where:

PSF = pressure reading at the suction flange

PVP = vapor pressure of the liquid at the existing temperature

V SF = mean velocity of the liquid at suction flange

γ w = specific weight of water

go = local or observed gravitational acceleration

3.3.5 Pump Mechanical Efficiency

Pump mechanical efficiency is the ratio of the water horsepower delivered by a

centrifugal pump to the brake horsepower delivered to the pump shaft.

℘
ȠP = ×100 %
BP

(Equation 3.3.5)

Where:

Ƞ P = pump mechanical efficiency

 WP = water horsepower or water hydraulic power

BP = brake horsepower

3.3.6 Motor Efficiency

Motor efficiency is a measure of how effectively electrical energy is converted to

mechanical energy. Motor efficiency is defined as the ratio of power output to power

input.

BP
Ƞw= ×100 %
EP

(Equation 3.3.6)

Where:

Ƞ w = motor efficiency

BP = brake horsepower

EP = electrical power

3.3.7 Combined Motor – Pump Efficiency

The efficiency of a combined motor and pump is defined as the ratio of hydraulic

or water horsepower to electrical horsepower.

 ℘
Ƞ MP = × 100 %∨Ƞ M × ȠP ×100 %
EP

(Equation 3.3.7)

Where:

Ƞ MP = combined motor – pump efficiency

WP = hydraulic or water horsepower

EP = electrical horsepower

3.3.8 Reynolds Number Equation

The term that relates fluid density, velocity and viscosity and the pipe diameter is

called the Reynolds number, a dimensionless number used in fluid mechanics to indicate

whether fluid flow past a body or in a duct is steady or turbulent.

v p d p v p d p ρ v pd p γ gc
N R= = =
μk μd μd g o

(Equation 3.3.8)

Where:

v p = mean velocity of the fluid in pipe

d p = pipe bore or inside diameter of the pipe

μd = dynamic viscosity

For water:

0.01779
μd = 2
1+ 0.03368+0.000221t

(Equation 3.3.9)
 Hydraulic radius=
Areaof the water flowing ∈the channel A
= =
π 2
4 p
d ()
wetted perimeter PW π dp

dp
Hydraulic radius= (for circular pipe full of flowing fluid)
4

(Equation 3.3.10)

* The wetted perimeter (PW) of the water flowing in the pipe or channel is the part of the

pipe or channel that comes into contact with the water (which slows it down due to

friction).

3.3.9 Pipe Friction

Pumping a fluid or slurry through a pipeline reduces the velocity of the fluid,

causing it to lose momentum. This reduction in velocity is referred to as pipe friction

loss. Friction between the fluid being pumped and the inside walls of the pipes causes

pipe friction loss.

Hagen – Poiseuille Equation (for laminar flow)

32 μ d L p v p 32 μk L p v p
hf = =

( )
2
γ dp go 2
d
gc p

(Equation 3.3.11)

Where:

h f = frictional head loss

μd = dynamic viscosity

μk = kinematic viscosity
 L p = length of the pipe

v p = mean velocity of the fluid in pipe

d p = pipe bore or inside diameter of the pipe

γ = specific weight of water

go = observed or local gravitational acceleration

gc = gravitational constant

Fluid flows can be classified into one of three types:

I. Laminar Flow: N R ≤ 2000

Laminar flow is a type of fluid flow in which the fluid travels in smooth or

regular paths. It is also known as streamline flow because the velocity,

pressure, and other flow properties remain constant at each point in the fluid.

II. Turbulent Flow: N R ≥ 4000

During turbulent flow, the fluid mixes in an irregular manner. Constant

changes in flow behavior (wakes, vortexes, eddies) make measuring flow rates

difficult, if not impossible. Turbulent flow is most commonly found at high

flow rates and/or in larger diameter pipes. When solids must remain

suspended in the fluid to avoid settling or blockages, turbulent flow is usually

preferred.
 III. Transitional Flow: 2000< N R <4000

Transitional flow has characteristics of both laminar and turbulent flow.

The edges of the fluid flow in a laminar state, while the center of the flow

remains turbulent. Transitional flows, like turbulent flows, are difficult, if not

impossible, to precisely measure.

*If the Reynolds ( N R) could not be determined, let the flow of fluid be turbulent.

3.3.10 Stoke’s Law

Stoke's law is an expression derived for the frictional force - also known as drag

force - exerted on spherical objects in a viscous fluid with very small Reynolds numbers.

Stokes' law can be used to calculate the terminal velocity of any particle in any medium if

the Reynolds Number is less than 0.2.

F d=6 πμRv

(Equation 3.3.12)

Where:

F d = frictional force or Stoke’s drag

μ = dynamic viscosity
R = radius of the spherical object

v = flow of velocity relative to the object