BITS Pilani Hyd develops low-energy tech for wastewater reuse | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Researchers at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus, have developed a low-energy technology that can convert wastewater from pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing into reusable water and clean energy, offering a more sustainable alternative to conventional treatment methods.The team has demonstrated the three-stage system in a laboratory and is now working with Biological E Ltd to scale it up for industrial use.The new system replaces the conventional use of chemicals and steam to disinfect such wastewater with short, high-voltage electrical pulses. According to the researchers, this method uses less energy while killing harmful microorganisms in the wastewater.“Our integrated approach demonstrates that it is possible to safely disinfect this complex wastewater using electrical pulses while simultaneously recovering valuable resources including reusable water and clean energy. We hope this technology will support industries in reducing their environmental footprint while improving the sustainability of wastewater management,” said Sankar Ganesh Palani of the department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus.The project is supported by the department of Science and Technology, and the team has filed an Indian patent for the core disinfection technology.According to the researchers, the first stage uses Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology, in which extremely short, high-voltage electrical pulses destroy bacterial cells. The process, known as irreversible electroporation, is followed by biological treatment, in which naturally occurring microorganisms break down the remaining organic waste. In the final stage, the leftover sludge is converted into methane-rich biogas, while the treated water can be reused, helping industries reduce water consumption and recover part of the energy needed to run the treatment plant.