Optimizing Oil-Contaminated Wastewater Purification with Polypropylene Thread Waste

Abstract The increasing generation of oil-containing wastewater poses significant environmental challenges, necessitating the development of effective and sustainable filtration materials. Polypropylene thread scraps, a waste product from textile manufacturing, present a potential low-cost alternative to industrially produced polypropylene fibrous filters. This study evaluates the filtration properties of these scraps to determine their viability for oil product removal from wastewater. The polypropylene thread scraps exhibited promising physical characteristics: a fiber diameter range of 10–120 μm, bulk density between 100 and 200 kg/m 3 , total porosity of 78–89%, and a specific surface area of 75 m 2 /kg. Their hydrophobic nature is comparable to that of commercial polypropylene filter materials. Experimental studies demonstrated that the thread scraps could effectively remove oil products at a 70% efficiency, with a maximum specific wastewater volume of 8 L/g. The oil capacity for oil products was measured at 51.1 mg/g, which decreased to 36.2 mg/g after regeneration by washing with hot water at 70 °C. The optimal filtration parameters were identified as a material packing density of 65 kg/m 3 , filtration speed of 3.5 m/h, and a loading height of 1.5 m, achieving removal efficiencies of 82.0% for oil products and 91.5% for suspended solids. Polypropylene thread scraps demonstrate significant potential as a sustainable filtration material for oil-containing wastewater, offering comparable performance to industrial filters. Their ability to be regenerated and reused further enhances their cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits. This research supports the use of polypropylene thread scraps as a viable solution for wastewater treatment, contributing to waste reduction and improved environmental management. Graphical abstract