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In India, where rapid urbanization and industrial growth generate over 72,000 million litres of sewage daily, effective water management is critical to sustaining ecosystems and public health. Untreated wastewater pollutes rivers, groundwater, and communities, exacerbating water scarcity and environmental degradation.
Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are pivotal in addressing this crisis, and emerging technologies like Electrolytic Sewage Treatment Plants (ESTPs) offer innovative, eco-friendly solutions. At SKF Elixer, we contribute to sustainable water management with our advanced Anaerobic-Aerobic Baffled Reactor (AABR) STPs, designed to deliver efficient, environmentally conscious wastewater treatment tailored for India’s diverse needs.
This blog explores the workings of electrolytic sewage treatment plants, their benefits, and their role in India’s water management landscape. While focusing on ESTPs, we’ll also touch on how SKF Elixer’s AABR technology provides comparable eco-friendly sewage treatment solutions.
Whether you’re a municipal officer in Chennai, an industrial manager in Gujarat, or a rural leader in Bihar, our insights will guide you toward sustainable wastewater strategies.
The Urgent Need for Water Management in India
India’s water crisis is profound as only 28% of sewage is reportedly adequately treated, with untreated wastewater contributing to 70% of river pollution, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This leads to waterborne diseases and environmental losses of ₹50,000 crore.
A city of 1 million generates 100–200 million litres of sewage daily, and untreated discharge contaminates 500 million litres of groundwater, costing ₹5–10 lakh annually in health expenses. Industrial sectors, producing 500 million litres of effluent daily, face fines of ₹1–5 lakh for non-compliance with CPCB norms.
Eco-friendly sewage treatment solutions, like ESTPs and SKF Elixer’s AABR STPs, are essential for reducing pollution, enabling water reuse, and supporting India’s National Mission for Clean Ganga and Swachh Bharat Mission. These technologies ensure cleaner water and a sustainable future.
What Is an Electrolytic Sewage Treatment Plant?
An electrolytic sewage treatment plant (ESTP) uses electrochemical processes to treat wastewater, breaking down pollutants through oxidation and reduction reactions induced by electric currents. Unlike conventional STPs that rely heavily on biological processes, ESTPs employ electrodes to generate reactive species that degrade organic matter, pathogens, and chemicals, producing effluent with Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) below 30 mg/L and total suspended solids (TSS) below 50 mg/L, compliant with CPCB standards.
While SKF Elixer specializes in AABR STPs, which combine anaerobic and aerobic biological treatment for eco-friendly results, ESTPs offer a unique approach, particularly for industrial wastewater with high chemical loads.
How Does an Electrolytic Sewage Treatment Plant Work?
The electrolytic sewage treatment plant process involves several steps, integrating electrochemical reactions with physical and chemical treatments:
1. Preliminary Treatment
Screens and grit chambers remove large debris (2–4 kilograms per 10,000 litres) and solids, protecting downstream systems. For a 100 KLD (kilolitres per day) plant, this reduces maintenance costs by ₹30,000–₹50,000 annually.
2. Primary Treatment
Sedimentation settles heavier solids, removing 50% of TSS. This prepares wastewater for electrochemical treatment, ensuring efficiency in urban settings like Bengaluru or Mumbai.
3. Electrolytic Treatment
Electrodes (e.g., titanium or graphite) apply electric currents to generate oxidants like hydroxyl radicals, which break down organic matter and pathogens. This achieves 85–90% BOD and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) reduction, treating 90,000–95,000 litres daily for a 100 KLD plant. The process is effective for industrial effluents with high COD (500–1,000 mg/L).
4.Tertiary Treatment
Filtration or UV disinfection removes residual pathogens, ensuring effluent meets CPCB standards (fecal coliform <100 MPN/100 mL). This enables safe discharge or reuse for irrigation, saving ₹1–2 lakh annually in water costs for a 200 KLD plant.
5. Sludge Management
ESTPs produce less sludge (30–70 kilograms daily for 100 KLD) than conventional plants, which is dewatered for disposal or reuse as fertilizer, generating ₹20,000–₹40,000 annually for communities.
Difference Between Electrolytic and Conventional Sewage Treatment Plants
- Process: ESTPs use electrochemical reactions, while conventional STPs, like SKF Elixer’s AABR, rely on biological processes. AABR achieves 90–95% BOD reduction with lower energy use, saving ₹50,000–₹1 lakh annually for a 50 KLD plant.
- Energy Use: ESTPs require high electricity (₹2–3 lakh annually for 100 KLD), while AABR uses 30–40% less power.
- Application: ESTPs excel for industrial wastewater with high chemical loads; AABR suits domestic and small-scale industrial needs.
- Cost: ESTPs cost more compared to AABRs, with higher maintenance due to electrode wear.
Benefits of Electrolytic Sewage Treatment Plants for Future Generations
ESTPs offer several advantages:
- High Pollutant Removal: Achieve 85–90% BOD and COD reduction, producing effluent suitable for reuse, saving ₹1–2 lakh annually in water costs for a 100 KLD plant.
- Compact Design: Require 20–30% less space than conventional plants, ideal for urban areas like Mumbai.
- Chemical-Free Treatment: Minimize chemical use, reducing environmental impact and costs by ₹50,000–₹1 lakh annually.
- Pathogen Elimination: Remove 99.9% of pathogens, preventing 500–1,000 illness cases annually for a 100 KLD plant, saving ₹2–5 lakh in healthcare costs.
Cost of Electrolytic Sewage Treatment Plants in India
ESTP installation costs ₹20–50 lakh for a 100 KLD plant, with operating costs of ₹2–5 lakh annually due to electricity and electrode maintenance. In contrast, SKF Elixer’s AABR STPs cost much lesser for the same capacity, with operating costs of ₹50,000–₹2 lakh, supported by subsidies under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (20–30% cost offset). Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) for ESTPs are also higher than AABR AMCs, ensuring affordability.
SKF Elixer’s AABR STP Solutions
While ESTPs are effective for specific applications, SKF Elixer’s AABR STPs offer eco-friendly, cost-effective alternatives:
- Urban Communities: 100–500 KLD STPs treat 90,000–450,000 litres daily, saving ₹3–5 lakh annually through water reuse, ideal for Bengaluru.
- Rural Areas: Compact 10–50 KLD systems occupy less space, supporting rural water management in Bihar with ₹30,000–₹50,000 annual operating costs.
- Industrial Applications: Handle high organic loads, saving ₹2–3 lakh annually in compliance costs for small industries in Gujarat or Tamil Nadu.
Why Choose SKF Elixer?
With years of expertise, SKF Elixer delivers BIS and CPCB-certified AABR STPs tailored for India’s diverse climates. Our systems ensure low energy use, high efficiency, and options, with AMCs starting at ₹30,000 per year, making sustainable water management accessible.
Conclusion
Electrolytic sewage treatment plants offer a promising approach to eco-friendly water management, reducing pollution and enabling reuse. While SKF Elixer’s AABR STPs provide a cost-effective, energy-efficient alternative, both technologies contribute to cleaner water and a healthier environment. Choose our AABR solutions to align with India’s sustainability goals and secure a brighter future.
Ready to embrace sustainable sewage treatment? Contact SKF Elixer to explore our AABR STP solutions.
FAQs
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1. How does an electrolytic sewage treatment plant work?
ESTPs use electrochemical reactions to break down pollutants, achieving 85–90% BOD reduction. For a 100 KLD plant, they treat 90,000–95,000 litres daily, producing effluent with BOD <30 mg/L, suitable for reuse or discharge.
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2. What are the benefits of electrolytic sewage treatment plants?
ESTPs remove 85–90% of pollutants, require 20–30% less space, and minimize chemical use, saving ₹50,000–₹1 lakh annually. They prevent 500–1,000 illness cases yearly, saving ₹2–5 lakh.
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3. What is the electrolytic sewage treatment plant process step by step?
It includes preliminary screening (2–4 kg solids per 10,000 litres), primary sedimentation, electrochemical treatment for 85–90% BOD reduction, tertiary disinfection, and sludge dewatering (30–70 kg daily for 100 KLD), ensuring CPCB-compliant effluent.
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4. What is the difference between electrolytic and conventional sewage treatment plants?
ESTPs use electrochemical reactions, requiring higher energy (₹2–5 lakh annually for 100 KLD) than conventional AABR STPs (₹50,000–₹2 lakh). ESTPs suit industrial wastewater, while AABR excels for domestic sewage with lower costs.
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5. What is the cost of an electrolytic sewage treatment plant in India?
ESTPs cost ₹20–50 lakh for 100 KLD, with operating costs of ₹2–5 lakh annually. SKF Elixer’s AABR STPs cost much lower, with ₹50,000–₹2 lakh operating costs, offset by 20–30% subsidies under government schemes.0
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