IIT Guwahati Develop Eco-Friendly Solution for Ammonium Removal from Wastewater
IIT Guwahati researchers have developed a method to remove ammonium from wastewater using microalgae and bacteria, backed by DST-FIST support. Know details here
A research team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, led by Prof. Kannan Pakshirajan, has pioneered an innovative technique to remove ammonium from wastewater by harnessing a unique combination of microalgae and bacteria. This eco-friendly approach not only provides a sustainable alternative but also significantly reduces energy use compared to conventional wastewater treatment methods.
Supported by the Department of Science & Technology’s DST-FIST program, the research is featured in the Chemical Engineering Journal. Key contributors include Prof. Kannan Pakshirajan from Biosciences and Bioengineering, Prof. G. Pugazhenthi from Chemical Engineering, and postdoctoral researchers Dr. Arun Sakthivel, Dr. Surjith Ramasamy, and Sumeet Kheria.
This research combines scientific modelling with real-world data to achieve high ammonium removal rates across diverse conditions. The system demonstrated energy savings of up to 91.33% compared to conventional aeration methods used in wastewater treatment plants, establishing it as an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution. This approach represents a major advancement in sustainable wastewater treatment, with practical applications to help industries reduce the environmental impact of wastewater.
Prof. Pakshirajan's team developed a photo-sequencing batch reactor (PSBR) in which microalgae generate oxygen through photosynthesis. This oxygen is then used by nitrifying bacteria to convert ammonium into nitrate, followed by an anoxic phase where denitrifying bacteria transform nitrate into nitrogen gas as the final product. By eliminating the need for external oxygen aeration, this process achieves substantial energy efficiency.
Highlighting the importance of this research, Prof. Kannan Pakshirajan, Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, said, “Our system offers a sustainable solution for treating wastewater while cutting down on energy costs. By harnessing the oxygen naturally produced by microalgae, we can make the process not only more efficient but also highly cost-effective.”
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Q: What is the seat intake for MDes at IIT Guwahati?
IIT Guwahati has a seat intake of 33 for a full-time Master of Design (MDes) programme of two-year duration. The institute offers 13 seats for the General category. Apart from this, IIT Guwahati has 3 seats for the EWS General category, 9 seats for OBC-NCL, 5 seats for SC, and 3 seats for ST. Additionally, there are 30 seats in MDes Electronic Product Design.
Q: What is the seat intake for MDes at IIT Guwahati?
IIT Guwahati has a seat intake of 33 for MDes, including 13 seats for the General category. The institute reserves 3 seats for the EWS General category and 9 seats for OBC-NCL. For SC and ST, the institute offers 5 and 3 seats, respectively. This seat intake is as per the past years' data and hence is subject to changes. Admission for all these seats are done through a common selection process. Click here for the detailed admission process for MDes course offered at IITG.
Q: What is the seat intake for Computer Science & Engineering specialisation offered at IIT Guwahati under the BTech programme?
IIT Guwahati has a seat intake of 114 for the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) specialisation offered under the BTech programme. This seat intake has been derived from the official website of JoSAA. At the time of counselling, candidates are admitted based on their rank in JEE Advanced and in accordance with the seat intake and the reservation policies.
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