IIT-Jodhpur has reportedly come up with a unique approach towards water purification. They have developed a low-cost, environmentally friendly solution that uses the power of the sun and Rajasthani clay to purify water.
It is estimated that India, due to its largely rural population, is the largest user of groundwater. India uses around 230 cubic kilometres of groundwater per year, which comprises more than a quarter of the global usage.
These waters have often become contaminated with harmful substances such as Dyes, fluoride-rich chemicals, and industrial discharges. The team lead by Rakesh Kumar Sharma of IIT Jodhpur is trying to rid the water from contamination by developing a Rajasthani clay-based photocatalytic water purification technology.
This technology can be used to treat textile contaminated water which is a major problem in western Rajasthan. The key ingredient here is the Rajasthani clay which can purify polluted water quickly. The photocatalysis based on Rajasthani clay maintains their inherent surface activity. The recovery can be up to 99% after the water treatment, thus the water becomes reusable. Since the process uses natural clay there is no damage to the environment either. The purified water is also safe to be used as drinking water.
“However, the present set of photocatalysts are expensive and practically not viable. Also, there are very fine particles and very difficult to retain after treatment of water.” Sharma told Times of India.
IIT Jodhpur currently aims to prepare a prototype to provide a technical solution for water purification to remote and rural communities by equipping mobile vans with this technology. They are also considering the licensing of this technology to businesses.
