PUNE A team of scientists from the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) in Pune, along with support from the Water Technology Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has developed a novel hybrid technology called SWASTIIK (Safe Water and Sustainable Technology Initiative from Indian Knowledgebase), that is a combined solution to disinfect water and offer possible health benefits of natural oils.
Using modern technology and traditional knowledge of Ayurveda SWASTIIK claims to disinfect water completely.
Scientists Dr V M Bhandari and his group at CSIR-NCL Pune, with support from the DST, developed the hybrid technology that involves boiling of a liquid as a result of pressure reduction (cavitation), and also uses natural oils with antimicrobial properties. This technology can eliminate harmful bacteria, including antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. “Disinfection of water is essential for removing pathogenic microorganisms that are responsible for causing a number of water-borne diseases. However, the common drawbacks of chemical methods such as chlorination include formation of harmful and carcinogenic disinfection by-products. Therefore, it is pertinent to develop technology that provides safe and healthy drinking water at a low cost with substantial ease of operation, scalability, and without harmful by-products,” said Dr Bhandari.
“The technique used hydrodynamic cavitation, combining chemistry, biology, and chemical engineering, along with natural resources in the form of natural oils and plant extracts. The process has resulted in increased efficiency and reduced cost of water treatment. It was observed that increased rates of disinfection using oil can drastically reduce the time of operation and consequently reduce cost as compared to other advanced treatment processes,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}“The technique used hydrodynamic cavitation, combining chemistry, biology, and chemical engineering, along with natural resources in the form of natural oils and plant extracts. The process has resulted in increased efficiency and reduced cost of water treatment. It was observed that increased rates of disinfection using oil can drastically reduce the time of operation and consequently reduce cost as compared to other advanced treatment processes,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}SWASTIIK can have significant benefits in terms of providing safe water and also possible health benefits that can also boost immunity, an important aspect as underlined in the current pandemic times.