NIT Rourkela team secures patent for biofilm tech
Phenanthrene, a toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), is a common contaminant in industrial wastewater, stemming from fossil fuel combustion, chemical manufacturing, and oil spills.
Traditional methods to tackle PAHs, such as chemical oxidation and soil excavation, are both costly and risk causing secondary pollution. "Our biofilm is compatible with existing biofilm reactors used in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, particularly those targeting hydrocarbon-based pollutants.
This patented technology also opens up opportunities for collaboration with the petrochemical industry to promote sustainable pollution control practices," aid professor Surajit Das of the department of life science at NIT Rourkela.
Kumari Uma Mahto, a research graduate at NIT Rourkela, highlighted the broader impact of this technology, stating, "Our development can significantly mitigate the impact of industrial oil spills, where phenanthrene and other PAHs pose serious threats to marine ecosystems. It will also benefit regions with high industrial activity and inadequate pollution control infrastructure."
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