Dyal Singh College turns eco-friendly
Plant to treat chemical waste from lab, recycle toxic water
Dyal Singh College (DSC) has become the first Delhi University affiliated college to turn eco-friendly by setting up an effluent treatment plant model at its chemistry laboratory.
The chemical waste, which is being generated in the lab, will be treated at this unit hence minimising the impact of hazardous and poisonous pollutants on the environment. The plant will recycle toxic water and then release it into the drain.
“Earlier, these chemical wastes were directly discharged into the drains due to which many plants have died,” a member, involved with this initiative, said.
Before setting up the model, a group of teachers had conducted a research with the help of the students to examine the impact of chemical wastes — phenol, heavy metals, salts, acids, and bases — on environment generated in the DU chemistry laboratories. The study revealed that more than 2,000 litre acids and 572 kg chemicals are directly discharged into the water bodies and drains every year. These effluents are harmful for humans, animals, and birds.
The college consists of four labs and five practical classes are held every week. So, the plant will be operated depending upon the amount of waste collected.
“The effluents will pass through the submersible pumps, oil/grease chambers, settling tank, equalisation tank, and poly chambers before being released into drains,” the member added.
Last year, DSC was also the first college to be powered by solar energy. It has installed solar panels that provide 200 kilowatts of electricity not just in the college premises, but also to the vicinity.
In addition to this, the college has IGL gas connectivity in all its chemistry labs and canteen, thus preventing gas cylinder related accidents.
Meanwhile, the teachers have also submitted a proposal to the varsity to promote such experiments in undergraduate science courses, so that students can come forward with ideas to keep the environment clean and green.