Reader and Phycoremediologist, Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, RKM Vivekananda College, Chennai 600004, India, and Director, Vivekananda Institute of Algal Technology (VIAT), Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Chennai 600004, India. Ph: 091-044-24813960; Mobile: 91 9444003960; 91 9381487310: Email: vsivasubramanian@gmail.com
Dr V Sivasubramanian, the Phycoremediologist, is involved in projects on effluent treatment employing micro algae, popularly known as PHYCOREMEDIATION,(Click here for FAQ on Phycoremediation) which is a natural and eco-friendly way of treating effluents for safe disposal. Dr V Sivasubramanian undertakes feasibility studies under laboratory conditions and also at field level and suggests algal technology to treat the effluent. Over the years he has developed a culture collection of potentially valuable micro algae and technology to successfully employ them at the field level with a very high percentage of success. He also suggests technology to utilize the biomass generated through phycoremediation . The highlights of the technology includes 1. pH correction without using any chemicals 2. Reduction of TDS, BOD and COD 3. Prevention of sludge formation 4. Degradation and decolourization of dyes and very effective way of treating dyeing industry effluents. CLICK HERE FOR NEWS ITEM IN DECCAN CHRONICLE ON EFFLUENT TREATMENT
Dr V Sivasubramanian is exploring the possibilities of growing micro algae in domestic sewage to produce valuable algal biomass which could be converted in to biofuel. Sewage is an excellent source of nutrients for algae. Algal technology treats sewage effectively to produce valuable biomass and remove CO2 from air thereby helping in reducing global warming. For more information click here
The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a new technology that generates electrical current from the oxidationreduction reactions that occur within living microorganisms. Studies with pure sugars, fatty acids, domestic wastewater, food processing wastewater and marine sediments by various workers have shown that a single microbial fuel cell can produce voltages up to 800 mV and currents measured in tens of mA. Stacking MFCs can increase both voltage and current.
Most microorganisms grow by the uptake of organic chemicals and passing them through a series of metabolic reaction pathways which involve hundreds of oxidation reduction reactions. Electrons released by these reactions can be captured by mediator chemicals which have the ability to penetrate into the cells in their oxidized state and leave the cells in their reduced state. Once released into the fermentation media, the reduced mediator chemicals spontaneously oxidize to their original state and release electrons at the anode that subsequently enter the electric circuit.
Dr V Sivasubramanian and his team are involved in optimizing conditions for improved electricity generation using micro algal cells grown in industrial effluents. Preliminary experiments using Chlorella cultures grown in textile dyeing industry effluent for production of electrical current were successful. When optimized this could prove to be an alternate form of energy generation technology from waste.
Rejects from desalination plants and R/O plants are evaporated using SEPs and this generates huge amounts of sludge causiing enviornmental problems while disposal. Algal technology has been developed to effeciently treat R/O rejects with high TDS with a significant reduction in sludge. Micro algal species have been identified and developed by Dr V Sivasubramanian for this purpose and tested in field conditions.
Dr V Sivasubramanian and his team have set up the First Phycoremediation plant at SNAP Industry at Ranipet, India. Algal remediation technology helps in pH correction of the acidic effluent and complete reduction of sludge. SNAP is now a zero disposal company. The phycoremediation plant has been in operation from September 2006. The effluent generated by the industry is highly acidic and of very high TDS ( 29000 mg/L). The entire effluent is evaporated using a slope tank. The algal biomass produced is utilized in Bio-fertilizer preparation and sold by the Company. The amount of CO2 removed during phycoremediation process is being calculated to claim carbon credits......Click here to know more about this success story.....,
CLICK HERE FOR NEWS ITEM IN DECCAN CHRONICLE ON EFFLUENT TREATMENT
1. SUNTEX PROCESSING MILLS, Chennai:
pH correction and decolorization of dye effluent: Laboratory level experiments have yielded encouraging results in decolourization and degradation of dye and pH correction of dye effluent using certain species of micro algae. Consultancy is being offered to field level application of this technology. Pilot plant is in operation at SUNTEX Processing Mills Pvt LTD in Gummudipoondi, Tamil Nadu, giving excellent results. Algal technology could correct the pH and prevent sludge formation. The dye bath effluent is being treated separately using micro algae. This technology is not only eco-friendly but also very economical. The complicated ETP process now being followed in various dyeing industries has been simplified. The algal biomass produced by the process is being used for composting and part of it is dried and used as a fuel. Since the process employs photosynthetic micro algae, the industry can claim carbon credits too. To know more about dyes and degrdation click here....For a breakthrough in textile effluent treatment click here.
2. SVIS LABS Pvt LTD:
Svis labs India is a drug intermediate manufacturing company. This industry produces iso butyl actophenone from iso butyl benzene, which is a raw material for the manufacture of ibuprofen. The effluent generated is highly acidic (0.6 pH) and huge amounts of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is being used for neutralizing the effluent. The industry generates 10 KL of effluent per day. Micro algal technology has been developed for effective pH correction of the highly acidic effluent generated by this industry. Scaling up is in progress.
Wheels India is promoted by the TVS Group and was started in the early 60's to manufacture automobile wheels. Today, Wheels India has grown as a leading manufacturer of steel wheels for passenger cars, utility vehicles, trucks, buses, agricultural tractors and construction equipment in India. The company supplies 2/3rd of the domestic market requirement and exports 18% of the turnover to North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and South Africa. Pilot scale studies on the remediation of effluent generated by this electroplating industry using micro algae are complete.
4. Chemfab Alkalis Ltd. Pondicherry:
The factory uses ground water during processing at various stages to extract useful chemicals from crude sea salt. The effluent water that is discharged has a very high salinity and TDS. Unit of Algal Physiology and Biotechnology carried out research work on treatment of waste water employing various species of micro algae including a few freshwater as well as marine forms to remove nutrients and bring down TDS. Successful results were obtained with immobilized cells of micro- algae. Work is underway to extend this technique to field conditions.
5. Orchid Pharmaceuticals and chemicals Alathur:
Dr V Sivasubramanian visited the effluent treatment facility of the industry and started working on the possibility of employing algae for remediation.
Another important breakthrough Dr V Sivasubramanian has made is in control of bio-fouling in the cooling towers of Orchid Pharmaceuticals using herbal extracts. The field trial was successful and regular supply of herbal product has been commenced. The group is in the process of patenting this herbal technique for control of biofouling.
6. Ultramarine and Pigments Ltd Ranipet:
This industry produces detergents and pigments. An MOU to treat the effluent has been signed.Project details:
1. Reduction of TDS in Blue and Scrub effluents. 2. Reduction of Sodium sulphite in detergent. 3. Control of bio-fouling in cooling towers.
4. Removal of heavy metals in the process.
After successful field trials the technology is being scaled up in Ultramarine Pigments
7. SAR CHANDRA ENVIRON SOLUTIONS, KAKINADA, ANDHRAPRADESH:
Algal technology is being employed to treat water effluent and sludge generated during oil drilling in sea. The acidic effleunt generated is also being treated with micro algal technology. Micro algal biomass is mixed with sludge in order to improve the organic content and microbial activity. The resultant modified sludge is used for growing plants.
8. Hindustan Coca Cola Ltd:
Algal technology to manage effluent generated at Coca Cola factory at Ahmadabad has been developed. After successful lab trials pilot scales trials are being started. Nutrient removal using micro algae is also being employed. Rapid removal of phosphates and nitrates could be achieved within 30 min of algal treatment.
Stahl is one of the worlds leading suppliers of leather processing products and also has strong positions in other selected market niche areas with proprietary products such as Permuthane. Unit of Algal Physiology & Biotechnology under the leadership of Dr V Sivasubramanian has signed an MOU with STAHL INDIA chemicals to treat the effluent using mico algal technology. ( MORE)
10. Nichi -in Biosciences:
Dr V Sivasubramanian has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chennai based Indo-Japan joint venture company M/S Nichi-In Biosciences (P) Ltd., for a multifaceted research project with emphasis on microbial biotechnology and environment safety to (i) develop technology for environment friendly plastic materials, (ii) find ways to safely dispose the plastic materials using microbes and to (iii) develop and validate polymers useful for water conservation in agriculture and horticulture. This agreement would enable them collaborate on a long term basis on the above areas, initially signed for a year and further renewable thereafter. (more)
11. Perfetti van melle India: Algal technology for pH correction and sludge reduction of effluent has been developed and based on successful pilot studies scaling up is being done..(more)
Bio-diesel from Algae:
Algal species producing higher oil at field level have been identified and successfully cultivated in open raceway ponds. The techniques of harvesting, extraction and transesterification have been standardized. Cheaper nutrient sources and Simpler and effective harvesting techniques have been evolved to minimize the cost of production of algal biomass and oil extraction.... MORE
Phycomitigation ( Carbon di oxide mitigation)
Use of Algae for CO2 mitigation is termed as Phycomitigation. The Technological Process harnesses Photosynthesis to grow Algae, Capture CO2 and produce High Energy Biomass. The process serves as a flexible platform for retrofitting fossil-fired power plants and other anthropogenic sources of carbon dioxide. Using commercially available technology, the algae can be economically converted to liquid transportation fuels such as Biodiesel or Bioethanol etc. The Phycomitigation is an Integrated Technology with the following Technological Modules:
Flue Gas Managing Technology Algae Growing Technology Algae Biomass Processing Technology.
Financial Benefits
CO2 & NOx reduction and Sale of allowances. Carbon Credit Generation through Bioenergy Production and Sale of earned Carbon Credits.
Environmental Benefits
CO2 reduction NOx reduction
Dr V Sivasubramanian and his team are involved in developing micro algal strains which are capable of removing waste CO2 and other flu gases at the field level mass cultivation systems.
