Dr V Sivasubramanian
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 9677144453; +91 9381487310: Email: vsivasubramanian@gmail.com
This industry produces detergents and pigments. Phycoremediation technology is being employed to treat effluent from sulphonation plant. By this technology pH correction and sludge reduction are achieved without using any chemicals.
Effluent Generation
The total effluent generated per day amounts to an average of 50 – 70 kilo litters. The effluent is highly acidic with a very high TDS ( around 1,00,000 mg/L). Pilot plant trials using micro algal technology yielded encouraging results. pH correction could be achieved without using chemicals. There was a 70% reduction in sludge.
Pictures of slope tank showing luxurient algal growth
