Rourkela, June 16: Researchers from the Ceramic Engineering Department at National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) have developed a unique method to remove dye pollutants from industrial wastewater. This low-cost method addresses a critical environmental challenge of industrial waste contaminating natural water reservoirs. The research has been conducted by Prof. Sunipa Bhattacharyya, Associate Professor, Ceramic Engineering, along with her research scholars, Mr. Susant Mohapatra and Mr. Sourav Ranjan Satpathy.
Industries such as Textiles, dying, and printing, produce large amount of colored chemical waste that can contaminate natural water bodies, disrupt aquatic ecosystems, and pose risk to human health. While conventional water treatment technologies are expensive and consume large amount of energy, they also generate secondary waste streams.
To address these limitations, NIT Rourkela team has developed a water-based ceramic adsorbent using fly ash, Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS), and Kaolin clay, a naturally occurring white clay used in industrial applications to form strong ceramic materials.
Fly ash is generated during coal combustion in thermal power plants, and GGBS gets produced during blast furnace operations in the iron and steel manufacturing industries. Both materials get produced in large quantities and pose disposal and environmental management challenges.
The technology conducted by NIT Rourkela team addresses this challenge by utilising these by products to developed ceramic absorbent. This adsorbent has been specifically designed to remove Methylene Blue Dye, a commonly used dye found in industrial wastewater.
Speaking about the research, Prof. Sunipa Bhattacharyya, Associate Professor, Ceramic Engineering, NIT Rourkela, said, “A notable aspect of our research is the use of raw kaolin clay rather than heat-treated metakaolin, which is commonly employed in geopolymer-based adsorbents. By eliminating this energy-intensive heating step, we have been able to make the production process more sustainable and economically viable.”
In lab tests, the research team has achieved more than 95% Methylene Blue removal efficiency.
In comparison to the conventional water treatment methods, the development cost of ceramic absorbent is Rs. 25–50 per kg (approx.) offering an economically viable option for wastewater treatment.
This work, published in the journal Chemistry Select, align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
As the next step, research team plans to develop porous shaped adsorbents made from waste materials and test their ability to remove different pollutants. The technology can be beneficial for industries seeking cost-effective wastewater treatment solutions while protecting water resources.
By using industrial by-products in water treatment applications, the research showcases how waste materials from one industry can be repurposed to address challenges in another.