Researchers from NIT Rourkela, in collaboration with IIT, have developed a groundbreaking wastewater treatment system designed to address the persistent challenges of industrial waste management, particularly harmful dyes. 

The new system effectively tackles non-composite waste, which had previously been difficult to treat, and offers a solution to industries such as textiles, steel, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Professor Sujit Sen, explaining the importance of this development, shared that their hybrid system has successfully achieved 95.4 percent decolourisation of Bismarck Brown R and 94 percent removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) within just 90 minutes. The nanocomposite used in the system also performs well under visible light, which is a significant advantage, as it makes the process suitable for practical, large-scale applications. This method is also more cost-effective than traditional oxidation techniques, which have been widely used in the past.

This new system is especially valuable for industries that require advanced wastewater treatment solutions. Its potential for integration into existing wastewater treatment infrastructure offers a chance to enhance the capabilities of current systems, improving their efficiency. India, as a developing country, faces a critical water treatment challenge, with major rivers like the Yamuna and Ganga severely affected by untreated industrial effluents.

The technology also shows promise for treating other difficult-to-remove contaminants commonly found in hospital and pharmaceutical wastewater. Looking ahead, the research team plans to scale up this technology to make it available for broader industrial use, further contributing to sustainable water treatment practices and environmental protection.