ROURKELA, JAN 30: Researchers at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela have pioneered an innovative process to treat industrial wastewater tainted with persistent carcinogenic dyes. Backed by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, their study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining nanocomposite-based ceramic membranes with microbubble technology to enhance dye removal.
Traditional filtration methods struggle to remove harmful dyes like Bismarck Brown R, which can bypass microfiltration membranes, posing significant environmental and health risks. The NIT Rourkela team developed a cutting-edge system integrating two advanced technologies to address this challenge.
The first technology involves a ceramic membrane coated with a Zeolite and Zinc Oxide nanocomposite derived from industrial waste, which acts as a photocatalyst to break down dye molecules under light exposure. The second incorporates microbubbles generated by an air diffuser to boost mass transfer and improve the breakdown process.
Their continuous tangential flow membrane photoreactor, tested with both simulated and real wastewater, achieved remarkable results: 95.4% decolorization of Bismarck Brown R and 94% removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in just 90 minutes, as reported by Prof. Sujit Sen from NIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering. The nanocomposite’s performance under visible light further underscores its practicality for wastewater treatment.
This hybrid system promises a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to conventional oxidation methods that rely on costly chemicals and complex equipment. Its potential applications span across industries such as textiles, steel, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals, where robust wastewater treatment is crucial.
The research findings have been published in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering.
