IIT (ISM) researchers develop RO system to reduce water wastage, enable reuse
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Dhanbad, September 7: Researchers at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad have developed an innovative reverse osmosis (RO) system designed to…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Dhanbad, September 7: Researchers at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad have developed an innovative reverse osmosis (RO) system designed to reduce water wastage during purification and enable the reuse of RO concentrate water.
The technology, titled “An inbuilt reverse osmosis filter with concentrate water management system”, has been granted an Indian patent under Patent No. 593495, with Application No. 202531036943. IIT (ISM) Dhanbad is the patentee.
RO concentrate water put to reuse
The research team comprises Prof. Vivek Bajpai and Dr Pawan Kumar Singh, both Associate Professors in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad; Dr Madhav Raturi, who was a post-doctoral fellow during the research and is now an Assistant Professor at SIT Pune; and research scholar Prince Anand.
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In simple terms, the researchers have designed an RO unit that can be integrated into the existing water-supply pipeline of a multi-storey building rather than functioning as a standalone purifier.
Water supplied through a pump enters the RO unit under pressure, while the height of the building’s water column provides additional pressure to support the filtration process.
The RO membrane separates the incoming water into two streams — purified water for drinking and concentrate, or reject, water.
Instead of allowing the concentrate water to drain away, the system routes it through the existing water-supply network and collects it in a rooftop tank. The stored water can subsequently be used for cleaning, washing and other non-drinking purposes.
Focus on water conservation
According to the researchers, the key feature of the innovation is its ability to address water wastage and reuse within the same building.
By integrating the RO system with the existing water-supply infrastructure, the technology makes use of available pipeline pressure and building height while providing a mechanism to collect and reuse RO concentrate.
The system could therefore offer a practical approach to drinking-water purification while improving water utilisation, particularly in multi-storey buildings.
