NIT Andhra Pradesh Researchers Develop Reactor to Treat Textile Industrial Effluent

TADEPALLIGUDEM : NIT Andhra Pradesh Researchers have developed a continuous reactor for the treatment of textile industrial effluent by nano coupled advanced oxidation process. The students have initiated this research towards the mission of Clean Water by recycling the pollutants from Tirupur, Tamil Nadu.
NIT Andhra Pradesh researchers secured second place in Avishkaar-2022, “Student Innovation Contest”, conducted by Andhra Pradesh Council of Science and Technology (APCOST), in collaboration with the AICTE, at Adikavi Nannaya University (AKNU-Rajamahendravaram) from 4th to 5th March 2022.
The research was conducted by Dr. V. C. Padmanaban, Department of Biotechnology, NIT Andhra Pradesh along with his scholars Ms. Gindi Neha Madhav, Ms. Sadhana Pitambar Patil, and Ms. Avanti Bhute.
Explaining the significance of the research work, Dr. V. C. Padmanaban, Assistant Professor Department of Biotechnology, NIT Andhra Pradesh, said, “The key challenge towards the treatment of textile dye effluent is the presence of salts and high concentration of dyes which interferes the process of degradation. It is beneficial if a technology is developed by using the salts which are innately present in the effluent. By keeping this as the strategical point, the team has developed an Advanced Oxidation Process which works well in the high saline conditions towards the complete removal of textile dyes.”
The thermal activation of salts results in the generation of reactive radicals. The process focuses on the simultaneous generation of hydroxyl and sulphate radicals which catalyses the removal of dye pollutants. The rate of removal was almost doubled by the addition of Ferrous tagged biochar nanocomposite which acts as a heterogeneous catalyst. Based on the developed process, an integrated reactor was designed for the continuous removal of textile dyes.
In the current Indian scenario, the researchers are working towards the mission of sustainability and Swachha Bharat, the scaled-up version of this work to provide a sustainable solution for the removal of pollutants from water systems by providing clean water.
While appreciating the researchers, Prof. C.S.P. Rao, Director, NIT Andhra Pradesh, said, “I suggest integrating the process towards the sustainable and circular economy-based approach. I encourage the team to proceed the research towards the transfer of technology for the benefit of the society and insist the importance of interdisciplinary research for the development of indigenous technologies towards the mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
The team is glad for the recognition received from the Avishkaar 2022 jury – experts of ISRO and DRDO and will be working to make this is as translational research towards industries.
Dr. T. Jagan Mohan Rao, Head, Department of Biotechnology, NIT Andhra Pradesh, motivated students to work more towards the scaling up strategies of the process. He encouraged the students to participate more in national and international technical events which would bring collaborative ideas towards the sustainable future. He also added, the department encourages students and faculties to work on cutting-edge research ideas that would add more value to the State and Nation’s Vision.

The team has thanked Prof. C.S.P. Rao, Director, NIT Andhra Pradesh and Dr. T. Jagan Mohan Rao, Head, Department of Biotechnology, NIT Andhra Pradesh, for the constant support and encouragement to take this research forward in all aspects. The team also acknowledged the support of other members from the Department of Biotechnology.