Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have pioneered an innovative method using fruit-derived biochar to effectively remove hazardous pollutants from industrial wastewater. This breakthrough technology is not only low-cost but also achieves treatment within just five minutes, offering a sustainable solution for industrial effluent management.
Led by Professor Gopal Das from the Department of Chemistry, the research focuses on nitroaromatic compounds – dangerous pollutants commonly found in wastewater from dye, pharmaceutical, pesticide, and cosmetic industries. “These chemicals persist in water bodies, causing severe pollution and health risks including toxicity, cancer, and genetic mutations,” explained Professor Das.
The team utilized pyrolysis (heating organic material without oxygen) to transform fruit waste like pineapple crowns and sweet lime fibers into biochar. Laboratory tests demonstrated that these biochars, named ACBC and MFBC, exhibit exceptional adsorption capacity for 4-nitrophenol, a prevalent nitroaromatic pollutant.
Compared to conventional treatment methods like catalytic degradation and electrochemical processes, this biochar approach is more cost-effective, simpler to operate, and environmentally friendly. “This work demonstrates how waste materials can be transformed into valuable resources for environmental protection,” noted Professor Das. The technology’s reusability – maintaining high performance through multiple cycles – represents another significant advantage.
Published in Chemical Engineering Science, this research has potential applications beyond industrial wastewater treatment, including integration into rural water purification systems for removing organic contaminants. The team’s next steps involve lab-scale testing, field trials, and market validation before commercial production.
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