Interests

Preamble

... started with Biochemical Engineering, narrowed down to Environmental Biotechnology and gradually became interested in the broad field of Environmental Engineering.

In this journey, what I learned that Core of Chemical (Process) Engineering like: Transport (Phenomena), Reaction (Engineering) & Thermodynamics (TRT), cuts across other disciplines as well, say Biochemical (Bioprocess) and Environmental Engineering to name a few! My research interests lie at this seamless interface: appreciating and understanding the beauty of these aspects (TRT) in various Environmental and Bioprocess systems for the design of (their) sustainable applications.

Broadly

• Environmental Engineering | Environmental Biotechnology | Biochemical Engineering
  
  

Specifically

• Water & Wastewater Treatment
• Adsorption
• Fluidization
• Hydrodynamics
• Bioreactor Analysis & Design
• Reaction Mechanism & Kinetics
•  Modeling & Simulation

Interests | Nurturing

• Reactor Analysis & Design | Computational Fluid Dynamics | Statistical Thermodynamics
  
  

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.

.... Albert Szent-Gyorgyi | 1937 Nobel Prize for Medicine

Problems | Addressed

• Kinetic Modelling and Simulation of Metallocene Catalyzed Olefin Polymerization
• Colour Removal using Fluidized Bed Adsorption with Activated Carbon
• Studies on Reversed Jet Loop Reactor for Wastewater Treatment
• Generation of Biogas from Industrial Wastewater – Tannery Waste

Work | Exploring

Motivation

In 2nd, 3rd and 4th research problems stated above, wastewaters (Liquid) from Dye & Textile Industries, Sago Mill and Tanneries were treated in Fluidized Bed [Liquid-Solid | dye-activated carbon | Physical Adsorption], Loop Reactor [Gas-Liquid | Biological (suspended growth) | Aerobic System] and Contact Filters (Packed Bed) [Liquid-Solid | Biological (attached growth) | Anaerobic System], respectively.

Such 2/3 (multi) phase systems are commonly used for physical, chemical and biological processes. Understanding their (underlying) hydrodynamic and mass transfer (separation) characteristics, helps one to explore their potential in (many) diverse fields of applications. Driven by these ideas, we are focusing on developing an insight into these aspects of many such systems, for instance: first 2 of the following.

• Hydrodynamic and Mass Transfer Aspects of Fluidized Beds (FB) : FBs are characterized by good mixing and less resistance to transport between 2- or among 3-phases. This work focuses on understanding, describing and predicting various hydrodynamic and mass transfer aspects of single and multistage L-S fluidized Beds.
• Flow Pattern and Transport of Mass in Loop Reactors (LRs) : LRs provide efficient mixing and very high interfacial area for transport between phases. They have simple geometry with very few mechanical mountings & accessories. For instance, they help in avoiding shearing of cells in Biochemical (Bio) Rectors because of characteristic absence of mechanical agitation. Experimentally observed Residence Time Distribution (RTD) curves clearly show internal circulations. This work aims at understanding, describing and predicting flow pattern and various aspects related to transport of mass in loop reactor(s).
• Behavior of Non-ideal Vapour and Liquid Mixtures : Activity Coefficient (Excess Gibbs Energy) and Equation of State Models are used for thermodynamic analysis of Liquid and Vapour Mixtures. This work is aimed at developing a comprehensive approach for describing and predicting the behavior of chosen system(s) of vapour and / or liquid mixtures.

Supervision | Guidance

PhD

• Kinetic Modelling and Simulation of Metallocene Catalyzed Olefin Polymerization | Nikhil (July 2014) | Co-Supervisor: Dr Sushil Kumar

ME

• Flow Pattern and Transport of Mass in Loop Reactors | Karthik (pursuing)
• Flow Pattern in Loop Reactors | Lata (May 2017)
• Experimental Study and Simulation of the Re-circulating Fluidized Bed Reactor for Chemical Looping Combustion | Abhishek (May 2017) | Co-Guide : Dr. Raman Sharma
• Modeling Adsorption Kinetics in Liquid-Solid Fluidized Bed | Sowmya (May 2016)
• Removal of Heavy Metal from Industry Grade Wastewater using Bioremediation Process | Snehal (May 2016) | Co-Guide (with) Dr. Suresh Gupta
• Study of Coke Calcination Process in Rotary Calciner | Ashwath (May 2015) | Off-Campus | Co-Guide
• CFD Simulation of Hydrodynamics in Packed Bed Column | Ashish (Dec 2007)
• Adsorption of As (III) on Activated Alumina: Batch & Continuous Studies | Ravichandra (Dec 2006)
• 30+ Professional & Research Practice and Research Methodology students

BE

• Double-Diffusive and Settling-Driven Instabilities in Particle-Laden Flows | Devang Falor (Dec 2017) | Off-Campus FDTS at Univ. of California at Santa Barbara, USA | Co-Supervisor.
• Reducing Specific Power Consumption by Modification in V Separator (Static Separator) Bypass Duct | BS | Paresh Kumar (Jan 16) | Co-Guide
• A Study on Particle Dynamics in 2-Dimensional Rotating Flow | Roshan (Dec 2014) | Off-Campus | Co-Guide
• Simulation and Optimization of Steam Reforming of Natural Gas for the Production of Hydrogen using Aspen Plus | Dhiraj (May 2014) | Co-Supervisor: Dr. Ashish M Gujarathi
• Treatment of Ground Water in Pilani | Griffy Angel (May 2009)
• Defluoridation of Water | Kalyan (May 2008)
• 70+ BE Projects | Orientation : Study, Lab, Computer, Design ...

Evaluation | Examiner

• PhD : IGCAR Kalpakkam - Feb 2016 | Anna University Chennai - May 2015 | VNIT Nagpur - May 2014. BITS Pilani: Qualifying Examinations, Research Proposals, Draft PhD Theses and Viva-Voce.
• ME : MTech: HBTU Kanpur - Oct 2017 | HBTI Kanpur - April 2013. BITS Pilani: ME Dissertations, Research Methodology, Research Practice, PP-II, PP-I.
• BE : BTech: MNIT Jaipur - June 2014 | BTech: Banasthali Univ - Jan 2013 & 2012. BITS Pilani: BE Theses, PS-II Projects and BE Projects.

Review

• Research paper submitted to Journal of the Institution of Engineers (India): Series A.
• Research papers for CURIE Journal (Journal of Cooperation among University, Research and Industrial Enterprises).
• Paper/proposal for 2nd National Convention on Energizing Entrepreneurship through Innovation, 2-3 Nov. 2007, Pilani, India.
• Research Papers submitted for seeking financial assistance for attending National and International Conferences (BITS Pilani).
• Research Proposals to be submitted to various funding agencies (BITS Pilani).
• Proof Reading and its co-ordination of 25 review / research papers for the special issues of J. of Energy, Heat and Mass Transfer - Dec. ’96 and March ’97 issues, viz., FESTSCHRIFT ISSUES in honour of Prof. Y. B. G. VARMA [Dept. of Chemical Engg., IIT Madras], who retired in Dec. ’96 [25.12.1996].