Water contamination due to colouring dyes are a menace in different parts of the country, particularly in industrial areas, affecting the quality of the groundwater used for household purposes and irrigation.
The wastewater generated from industries including textile and dye manufacturing are harmful and bring detrimental effects on environment and health. The research team has utilised the combination of nanocomposite-based ceramic membranes with microbubble technology to enhance dye removal efficiency to ensure the carcinogenic materials are eliminated.
Industrial wastewater challenge
The research team at the NIT-R has developed a solution for treating wastewater contaminated with persistent dyes. The wastewater contains harmful dyes like Bismarck Brown R.
These dyes are detrimental to environmental and health risks due to their carcinogenic properties and high coloration. The traditional filtration methods are less effective in removing these dyes effectively, as the molecular size allows them to pass through standard microfiltration membranes. The UV-based treatments are available in the market on a larger scale, but they face limitations in large-scale applications.
Hybrid treatment system
The team, led by Prof. Sujit Sen from the Department of Chemical Engineering, collaborated with Dr. Madhumita Manna (research graduate, NIT Rourkela) and Prof Binay Kanti Dutta (former professor, IIT Kharagpur) have revealed the innovative hybrid treatment system.
The research, funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board, DST, India (now Anusandhan National Research Foundation, India), has been published in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. The team has also secured a patent for their technology during June, 2024.
Innovative Dual Technology Solution
The team's solution combines two advanced technologies namely the specialized ceramic membrane featuring an industrial waste-derived Zeolite and Zinc Oxide nanocomposite coating that acts as a photocatalyst to break down dye molecules under light exposure and a microbubble system using a simple air diffuser to enhance mass transfer and accelerate the breakdown process
The system was tested using both simulated wastewater and actual effluent from a local dyeing facility.
"Our hybrid system achieved 95.4% decolorisation of Bismarck Brown R and 94% removal of chemical oxygen demand in just 90 minutes. The nanocomposite's effectiveness under visible light makes it particularly suitable for practical applications”, Dr Sujit Sen explained.
Advantages and Applications
The technology offers several benefits over conventional methods including cost-effectiveness compared to traditional oxidation processes, enhanced sustainability through the use of industrial waste-derived materials, reduced membrane fouling with simple regeneration through backflushing and minimal chemical cleaning requirements.
Promise for various industries
The system shows promise for various industries including, textile manufacturing, steel production, petrochemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and hospital waste treatment which are considered complex in treating, filtering and disposing.
Possible future development
Together with higher wastewater treatment efficiency, the research team is aiming to scale up this technology for broader industrial application, while maintaining environmental sustainability.
A large-scale implementation of the technology is possible given the combination of effectiveness, sustainability, and practicality makes it a promising option for large-scale implementation.
