Indianorigin scholar’s research can turn sponge into water purifier

TORONTO: Can the stuffing in your sofa prove an effective tool to combat water pollution? Research conducted by a young Indian-origin scholar at the University of Toronto suggests the simple sponge has the potential to tackle such contaminants.

The inspiration for this field of endeavour for Pavani Cherukupally comes from growing up in Hyderabad and experiencing the degradation of the Musi river that defines that city.

Cherukupally, part of the university’s mechanical engineering department, said, “I have developed a new sponge-based water technology to remediate oil field wastewater using ordinary sponges.

“This water has highly concentrated organic contamination. Indian rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Musi also have a high concentration of organic contamination. So, we could extend this technology to remediate Indian rivers.”

The technology of using sponges to soak up contaminants has existed since the 1800s. Most people use them for everyday activities such as cleaning kitchen counters, then wringing the sponge clean.

That is the basis of the simple but effective concept of Cherukupally’s project, which uses newly developed techniques to adapt it to a larger problem. It works as a filter, as she said, “The water passes through it, oil droplets are trapped inside and clean water comes out.”

Cherukupally’s project is aimed at the problem of wasterwater tailings from oilsands in Alberta. Even though 92% of the discharged water is treated, the remainder has added up to over a trillion litres, stored in ponds.

PAVANI CHERUKUPALLY’S CONCEPT USES THE POLYURETHANE SPONGE CHARGED TO ATTRACT THE IONS OF THE WATER’S POLLUTANTS THAT HAVE OPPOSING CHARGES.