IIT-Kharagpur Team Develops Green Graphene Tech to mop up Oil Spills

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-Kgp) have created a 'graphene-based' innovation that may transform how the global community addresses oil spills, which devastate aquatic ecosystems.

The IIT team, directed by Chirodeep Bakli from the School of Energy Science and Engineering, developed an energy-saving and very efficient oil-water separation approach that provides a sustainable option to conventional cleanup methods. The study has received global acclaim after being highlighted on the cover of the Royal Society of Chemistry's scholarly journal.

According to experts, oil spills continue to represent one of the greatest dangers to marine ecosystems, affecting aquatic organisms, coastal economies, and the overall environment. Traditional techniques - like chemical dispersants, localized incineration, and oil skimmers - frequently result in additional damage, producing hazardous by products or causing a greater depletion of valuable resources. Worldwide, public studies indicate that oil tanker spills resulted in around 10,000 tonnes of oil being discharged into the oceans in 2024, with six significant spills and four moderate spills documented. Significant spills, like the Gulf War oil spill (1991) and Deep water Horizon (2010), still exert a lasting influence on the marine environment.

The system can take in oil at a speed of 400-500 litres per square metre each hour, utilizing less than 0.1kWh per cubic metre and reclaiming more than 90% of the spilled oil. Bakli explained that this performance exceeds current solutions, including those utilizing polypropylene sorbents, activated carbon, and polymer membranes, in terms of both efficiency and sustainability. In comparison to polymer membranes, graphene technology is nearly five times more efficient and consumes up to 15 times less energy.

In contrast to chemical dispersants, graphene-based methods leave no harmful residues, thereby providing a safer environment for marine ecosystems, Bakli stated.

The system's effectiveness in high-temperature conditions also renders it especially appropriate for tropical areas such as India, where warm water ports are prevalent. Moreover, incorporating solar energy to improve performance boosts its ecological benefits.

Although the initial implementation cost is a factor to consider, the researchers are hopeful that advancements in graphene production will soon lower expenses, allowing for large-scale deployment to become practical.