NIT RKL Finds Way To Remove Harmful Dyes From Wastewater

New Delhi: Researchers at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (RKL) on Thursday announced an innovative process for efficiently treating industrial wastewater contaminated with persistent dyes that can cause cancer.

The research, supported by Anusandhan National Research Foundation, showed that combining nanocomposite-based ceramic membranes with microbubble technology can help enhance dye removal efficiency.

Wastewater from industries like textiles and dye manufacturing often contains harmful dyes that are difficult to remove with traditional filtration methods. Dyes such as Bismarck Brown R are small enough to pass through microfiltration membranes, making them particularly challenging to treat. These dyes can cause significant environmental and health issues due to their intense colour and potential carcinogenic properties.

Conventional treatment methods, such as those relying on Ultraviolet (UV) light, often struggle with large-scale applications, especially when separating dye particles from water. To address these challenges, the team developed a cutting-edge treatment system that combines two advanced technologies.

The first is a ceramic membrane coated with an industrial-waste-derived Zeolite and Zinc Oxide nanocomposite. This photocatalyst can break down dye molecules when exposed to light.

The second technology incorporates microbubbles, generated via a simple air diffuser, to enhance mass transfer and improve the breakdown process.

A continuous tangential flow membrane photoreactor was designed and tested using both simulated and real wastewater from a local dyeing factory.