Researchers at NIT Rourkela have designed a cost-effective system to treat industrial waste, particularly harmful dyes. Traditional water treatment methods struggle to remove non-composite waste completely. Experts from NIT and IIT collaborated to develop this advanced solution.
Dyes like Bismarck Brown R can easily pass through microfiltration membranes, making them difficult to remove. These dyes pose serious environmental and health risks due to their strong color and potential carcinogenic effects.
NIT Rourkela Professor Sujit Sen highlighted the system’s effectiveness, stating, “Our hybrid system achieved 95.4% decolorization of Bismarck Brown R and 94% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal in just 90 minutes.” The nanocomposite material works under visible light, making it practical for wastewater treatment. This method is also more affordable than conventional oxidation techniques.
Industry Challenges and Impact
Industries like textiles, steel, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals require efficient wastewater treatment. This new system can integrate with existing setups, enhancing their performance.
India, as a developing nation, faces significant water treatment challenges affecting human health and aquatic life. Major rivers like the Yamuna and Ganga suffer from severe wastewater pollution.
This system could also help treat contaminants in hospital and pharmaceutical wastewater, which conventional methods struggle to remove.
The research team is now working on scaling up the technology for widespread industrial use. It aims to improve wastewater treatment while ensuring environmental sustainability.
