Allahabad University scientist's design can breathe fresh air into city
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ALLAHABAD: Given the World Health Organization
(WHO) estimate that urban air pollution kills 800,000 persons every
year, most of them in India, work of a young scientist in the
Nanotechnology Application Centre (NAC) of Allahabad University could curb the fatal phenomenon.
Dr Vyom Parashar of NAC has developed nanomagnets which could not just improve but revolutionise the technique of sulphur detection and removal by not only checking the presence of the chemical in the air but also removing it by reducing sulphur content in vehicular fuel.
Explaining his new findings to TOI, Parashar said, "Our approach is directed towards the simultaneous determination and removal of sulphur molecules in which a sample containing the chemical is encountered with nanomagnets made of gadolinium (a rare earth mineral with natural magnetic properties). Visibility of red colour indicates that the given sample contains sulphur. The coloured portion can be detected with the naked eye and can be removed from the solution by applying an external magnetic field".
The technology prototype developed by Dr Parashar can be used on a large scale through proper funding. "I will be happy to pass on the technology to the government at no cost if they show interest in the prototype," he added. Parashar, who has done PhD under Avinash C Pandey, says growing content of sulphur causes premature deaths through its cardiovascular and pulmonary impact, air pollution and dangerous effect on pregnant women which manifests in the newborn's health.
Dr Parashar says vehicle emissions contribute majorly to poor urban air quality. In developing countries, conventional vehicle emissions are expected to continue to rise over the next few decades. Given the present poor quality of fuels (with high content of sulphur) often found in developing countries urban air pollution problems are set to worsen if no action is taken. There has been significant progress in reducing level of sulphur in fuels in developed countries, including China, he says.
Reducing sulphur levels in fuels is especially important in India. Petrol and diesel fuels are both produced from crude oil, which varies in density, gravity and composition from one oilfield to another. Sulphur is present in all crude oil and when it is processed into petrol and diesel in the refinery, sulphur compounds find their way into various products, including petrol and diesel fuel. In general, the higher the density of crude oil, the more difficult it is to remove its sulphur content. Most of the sulphur-removal technologies are with developed countries while India lacks a proper indigenous technology patent in this area. Even today India imports lower-sulphur fuels from outside, says the young scientist. As the demand for lower sulphur fuels increases, sulphur treatment (or removal) technologies will continue to increase.
Dr Vyom Parashar of NAC has developed nanomagnets which could not just improve but revolutionise the technique of sulphur detection and removal by not only checking the presence of the chemical in the air but also removing it by reducing sulphur content in vehicular fuel.
Explaining his new findings to TOI, Parashar said, "Our approach is directed towards the simultaneous determination and removal of sulphur molecules in which a sample containing the chemical is encountered with nanomagnets made of gadolinium (a rare earth mineral with natural magnetic properties). Visibility of red colour indicates that the given sample contains sulphur. The coloured portion can be detected with the naked eye and can be removed from the solution by applying an external magnetic field".
The technology prototype developed by Dr Parashar can be used on a large scale through proper funding. "I will be happy to pass on the technology to the government at no cost if they show interest in the prototype," he added. Parashar, who has done PhD under Avinash C Pandey, says growing content of sulphur causes premature deaths through its cardiovascular and pulmonary impact, air pollution and dangerous effect on pregnant women which manifests in the newborn's health.
Dr Parashar says vehicle emissions contribute majorly to poor urban air quality. In developing countries, conventional vehicle emissions are expected to continue to rise over the next few decades. Given the present poor quality of fuels (with high content of sulphur) often found in developing countries urban air pollution problems are set to worsen if no action is taken. There has been significant progress in reducing level of sulphur in fuels in developed countries, including China, he says.
Reducing sulphur levels in fuels is especially important in India. Petrol and diesel fuels are both produced from crude oil, which varies in density, gravity and composition from one oilfield to another. Sulphur is present in all crude oil and when it is processed into petrol and diesel in the refinery, sulphur compounds find their way into various products, including petrol and diesel fuel. In general, the higher the density of crude oil, the more difficult it is to remove its sulphur content. Most of the sulphur-removal technologies are with developed countries while India lacks a proper indigenous technology patent in this area. Even today India imports lower-sulphur fuels from outside, says the young scientist. As the demand for lower sulphur fuels increases, sulphur treatment (or removal) technologies will continue to increase.
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