The Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) has developed wastewater treatment equipment to promote the proper discharge of wastewater and address environmental pollution in the country.
The DOST-FPRDI reported that it has installed its wastewater treatment equipment to RSU Manufacturing Corporation, a furniture and handicraft company based in Pampanga.
“The equipment was developed to help RSU Manufacturing Corporation properly dispose of the used water coming from their finishing spray booths (FSBs),” it said in a statement.
A producer of furniture and handicrafts from wood, rattan and other non-wood forest products, the RSU Manufacturing Corporation is operating nine wet-type FSBs.
Project leader Engr. Edward S. Marasigan explained that the equipment “addresses the improper discharge of wastewater that usually contains toxic chemicals from the finishing overspray.”
"It takes into account the wastewater’s characteristics and the best treatment method for it.”
The FPRDI noted that the spray booth is an enclosure that controls the spread of excess varnish or paint during the finishing operation.
It was developed by the Institute to provide a safer working area and better quality products, it said.
DOST-FPRDI researcher and Forester Aralyn Quintos laments that the current practice of disposing wastewater through drainage or directly to bodies of water contributes to environmental pollution.
"Wastewater from the FSBs contains aromatics, benzene derivatives, alcohol, siloxanes, propanoic and pentanoic acid which are harmful to aquatic plants and animals. It can also cause the excessive growth of a bad kind of algae,” she said,
The equipment was turned over to RSU on Oct. 5.
The Institute assured the RSU that it will provide training on equipment operation.
The wastewater treatment equipment was unveiled during the “AGHAM NA RAMDAM: DOST CRADLEs Businesses in Central Luzon” webinar on Oct 22 as one of the highlights of the Regional Science and Technology Week celebration in Central Luzon.
The FPRDI said the project which runs from May 2020 to December 2021 is funded by DOST’s Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) Program.