Turning Fruit Waste into Eco-Friendly Water Filters: IIT-Guwahati's Biochar Innovation

Researchers at IIT-Guwahati have innovated a method using biochar from fruit waste, like pineapple crowns and sweet lime fibres, to remove industrial pollutants from wastewater. This cost-effective, sustainable method is efficient, reusable, and offers a promising alternative for large-scale industrial applications, advancing circular economy principles in waste management.

In a significant breakthrough, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Guwahati have developed an innovative, sustainable approach to purify industrial wastewater, using biochar derived from fruit waste. This method, devised under the leadership of Professor Gopal Das from the Department of Chemistry, swiftly removes toxic nitroaromatic compounds prevalent in industrial discharges.

The research highlights the team's successful transformation of pineapple crowns and mosambi fibres into effective biochars, reportedly capable of drastically cutting down the pollutant removal time within a mere five minutes. This technique not only improves efficiency but also champions cost-effectiveness, as demonstrated by the involvement of Research Scholar Neha Gautam and Technical Officer Deepmoni Deka.

With applications extending beyond industrial wastewater treatment, the biochar method also presents a viable solution for rural water purification and environmental remediation. Following successful lab trials, the next phase involves field testing and market validation, marking a hopeful stride towards full-scale commercial adoption.

(With inputs from agencies.)