Tata Steel sets up world’s first ultraviolet oxidation plant in Odisha

Tata Steel BSL Limited told the media that the company has set up the world's first ultraviolet (UV) oxidation plant in the Dhenkanal District of Odisha to treat the deadly cyanide pollutant in coke oven wastewater. The company said that the UV oxidation plant was established to support the development and research team of the parent company, Tata Steel. The conventional treatment method of cyanide in coke oven wastewater is called solid sludge separation technology, which can cause cyanide toxicity by secondary means of toxic sludge decomposition, steelmakers said. The technology of the UV oxidation plant would check the issue at the Narendrapur plant, having a capacity to treat 80 cubic metres of wastewater per hour, it said. The Chief Operating Official of Tata Steel BSL, Subodh Pandey, said that the best treatment of cyanide is by destroying it completely by its oxidation. He also said that the UV oxidation plant would help to achieve the goal, thus, leaving no footprint for further contamination of the environment. It is a part of the organisations' initiative towards the series of sustainable interventions after taking over the company. The major steel companies got the equipment such as UV reactors, UV control panels before setting up the plant in consultation with Tata Steel's R&D team. To ensure the quality of water as mentioned in the parameters set by the regulatory bodies, the company has set up full-fledged environment laboratories for regular monitoring of the discharged water below the limit of the statutory authorities. Tata Steel acquired the Tata Steel BSL Limited, formerly known as Bhushan Steel Limited, in May 2018 via its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bamnipal Steel. Image Source