MUMBAI, India, Aug. 12 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641090010 A) filed by Dr. Ramya S; Darshana R; Dhanushsree C; Dharshini N; and Harshavardini P N on July 24, 2026, for Biosorbent From Rice Husk For Heavy Metal Removal From Wastewater.
Inventors include Dr. Ramya S; Darshana R; Dhanushsree C; Dharshini N; and Harshavardini P N.
The application for the patent was published on August 07, 2026, under issue no. 32/2026.
Abstract: The increasing discharge of heavy metals into water bodies due to rapid industrialization has become a major environmental and public health concern. Among these pollutants, lead (Pb") and cadmium (Cd2+) are highly toxic, non-biodegradable, and capable of accumulating in living organisms, causing severe health and ecological problems. Although several conventional wastewater treatment methods are available, many of them are expensive, energy-intensive, and generate secondary pollutants, making them unsuitable for sustainable large-scale applications. In this context, the present study aims to develop and characterize an efficient, eco-friendly, and low-cost biosorbent from rice husk ash (RHA) for the removal of Pb" and Cd" ions from wastewater. Rice husk, an abundantly available agricultural by-product, is converted into rice husk ash through controlled combustion and subsequently activated using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to enhance its surface area, porosity, and the availability of active functional groups responsible for metal ion adsorption. The synthesized biosorbent is characterized using analytical techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to evaluate its structural and physicochemical properties before and after adsorption. Batch adsorption studies are carried out by optimizing key process parameters, including pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial metal ion concentration, and temperature, to determine the maximum adsorption efficiency. Furthermore, adsorption isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic models are employed to understand the adsorption mechanism and evaluate the interaction between the biosorbent and heavy metal ions. The regeneration and reusability of the developed biosorbent are also investigated to assess its economic feasibility and long-term performance. Finally, the optimized biosorbent is validated using real industrial wastewater samples to determine its practical applicability under actual operating conditions. By converting agricultural waste into a value-added biosorbent, this study provides an environmentally sustainable and economically viable solution for heavy metal removal from wastewater while promoting waste valorization, resource conservation, and improved environmental protection.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
