NRDC scientist from AP earns patent for industrial waste management technology
Visakhapatnam: In a tale of exemplary innovation and unwavering determination, Dr. Bhavya Manjeera Patruni, a PhD scholar from the chemical engineering department of Andhra University has developed an innovative technology in industrial waste management as a part of her PhD research project. In recognition of its merits, a patent for the innovation has been granted to her.
The new technology was developed with TRL (technology readiness level)-6. With the Patent Grant 414603, it bears the title, ‘A Downstream Process for the Recovery of Valuable Minerals from Waste Materials of Beach Sand Mineral Processing Plants'.
Dr. Bhavya works as a Scientist, ADE in National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), DSIR, under the Union ministry of science and technology.
At the convocation ceremony in Andhra University on Sept 9, a group of 40 researchers stood out for their exceptional achievements. Among these was Bhavya, who received the PhD degree certificate from Governor S Abdul Nazeer.
Bhavya’s journey commenced in 2014. She studied the functioning of heavy mineral preparation plants and private industrial units. A challenge she noticed there was the colossal waste generated during the extraction of precious minerals and their disposal.
She also took note of the concerns being raised by farmers residing near the operational plant. She looked around for an innovative solution.
Bhavya embarked on a mission for an alternative approach that would minimize material destruction. Initial attempts involving recycling and recovery proved inadequate.
The downstream procedure she developed is adaptable and incorporates state-of-the-art equipment designed and tested for treatment of waste materials generated by the beach sand mineral processing plant.
“This process is aimed at efficiently recovering valuable minerals, achieving a marketable mineral recovery rate of 90 per cent. Moreover, it can be employed for the treatment of other waste materials and clay-coated minerals, resulting in the production of high-quality products and by-products, each with a recovery rate ranging from 40 to 50 per cent,” Bhavya stated.
While government support plays a pivotal role in the scaling up of this technology, Bhavya acknowledged that a lack of awareness in this respect remained a major challenge. She underscored the importance of promoting indigenous and innovative technologies in the waste management domain, in anticipation of fostering partnerships with industries.
She stressed the need for industrial collaboration for this technology’s commercialization so as to facilitate its industrial utilization. "This innovation not only holds the promise of economic benefits but also ensures a cleaner environment through the minimization of industrial waste and pollution," she said.
