ACOUSTICLEAN: Using Sound Waves to Separate Microplastics from Drinking Water

Microplastic pollution is a growing environmental concern because tiny plastic particles can enter rivers, reservoirs, and drinking water systems. Traditional filtration methods may struggle to capture extremely small particles and can become clogged. I want to investigate whether acoustic technology can help separate microplastics from flowing water without relying entirely on physical filters.

For my project, I plan to develop a computer simulation of an acoustic separation system that could be installed in water treatment facilities or specialized sections of drinking water pipelines. The system would use ultrasonic standing waves to move microplastic particles toward specific locations inside a water channel, allowing them to be collected and removed.

My main research question is: How can acoustic wave frequency, intensity, and water flow rate be optimized to improve microplastic separation efficiency in drinking water systems?

Using Python and computational modeling, I will simulate how microplastics of different sizes and densities respond to acoustic forces. I will test different ultrasonic frequencies, wave intensities, pipe dimensions, and water flow rates to determine which conditions produce the most effective separation.

High-performance computing will allow me to run thousands of simulations and compare separation performance under different operating conditions.

I will evaluate the results by measuring particle capture efficiency, water processing speed, and estimated energy consumption.

My goal is to identify an efficient acoustic separation design that could support future improvements in drinking water treatment and help protect water resources in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.