• Name with initial: M. Thusalini

• Full name: Manoharan Thusalini

• E-mail: mthusalini@gmail.com

• Contact No: +94779652379

Research Title: Neem chip biochar for the removal of an emerging contaminant, mancozeb; a comprehensive study on the effect of pyrolysis temperature and surface functional properties

Abstract

Emerging contaminants (ECs) play a vital role in water pollution. The treatment methods used for the removal are expensive and complex. It is therefore highly needed to develop cost-effective materials for the effective removal of ECs. This study comprehensively investigated the potential of biochar material pyrolyzed at different temperatures in removing mancozeb, a potential EC, reported to significantly pollute water sources in Sri Lanka. Detailed isotherm, kinetics, thermodynamics and rate-limiting factor analysis were performed for biochar with high adsorptive capacity along with FTIR and XRD characterization. Results revealed that biochar pyrolyzed at 900 ℃ exposed higher adsorptive performance of 187.68 mg/g. Moreover, a detailed isotherm study exhibited that the adsorption of mancozeb to biochar is multilayer in nature. The pseudo second-order equation is well fitted to explain the adsorption rate of mancozeb. In addition, the thermodynamic analysis explains that the adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic. The XRD information well explains the carbon network development with an increase in pyrolysis temperature. At higher pyrolysis temperatures, the constricted carbon network was formed. FTIR analysis expresses that the functional groups are degraded at higher pyrolysis temperature. The rate-limiting analysis indicates the removal rate of mancozeb by biochar derived from neem chips pyrolyzed at 900 ℃ initially induced by mass diffusion followed by intraparticle diffusion. The innovative process of the use of biochar produced from neem chip for the removal of mancozeb makes an opening for the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly technology for effective removal of ECs at commercial level.

• • Name with initial: C. Neshankine

  • Full name: Chandraruban Neshankine

  • E-mail: cnesha1996@gmail.com

  •  Contact No: +94778065390

Research Title: A detailed evaluation of aerated soaking of paddy parboiling

Abstract

Paddy parboiling is an important industrial process in Sri Lanka. However, it pollutes environment significantly as of the effluent discharge from one of its processing steps, soaking. Therefore, a submerged aerated system of soaking was developed as a novel strategy to minimize the effect of effluent generated on environmental quality. A submerged aerated and exposed aerated soaking systems with operating cycle of 70 minutes on-time and 20 minutes off-time were developed based on dissolved oxygen profile in soaking water. The quality parameters of soaking water DO, pH, TDS, TS, EC and BOD and rice quality parameters, head rice, broken rice, whitebelly, heat damaged grain percentages and whiteness value were analyzed and compared with conventional soaking process. Results showed that the aerated soaking of paddy improved hydration rate and reduced soaking time significantly with significant reduction in effluent quantity and quality in terms of BOD. The positive DO profile observed in soaking water of aerated soaking system throughout the soaking cycle. The DO of exposed aerated soaking system was higher than submerged aerated soaking system, resulted in the germination of paddy grain which in turn reduced the head rice yield. The use of submerged aerated system yielded positive outcome related to hydration rate, effluent reduction in terms of volume and BOD values with reasonable milling yield profile. Hence, the system of submerged aerated soaking can be considered as viable initiative for eco- friendly parboiling process.

• Name with initials: R.M. Ishani Dilrukshi

• Full name: Ramanayake Mudiyanselage Ishani Dilrukshi

• E-mail: ishaniramanayake543@gmail.com

• Contact No: +94740739652

Research Title: Fabrication of a small-scale biogas plant for cattle industry

Abstract

A biogas plant was fabricated using a 70 L PVC barrel with necessary parts for effective production of biogas from cattle slurry.  The simple design for biogas plant and its scientific explanation are highly vital for the increased usage of renewable resources for better environmental sustainability. The biogas plant was manufactured with inlet, outlet, stirrer, temperature sensor and gas collection system to make the design simple and easy to use. The biogas plant was fed with slurry concentration of 12 % TS and operated with no stirring. The parameters of Total Solid (TS %), Moisture Content (MC %), Volatile Solid (VS %), Temperature (°C), pH and Dissolve Oxygen (DO mg/L) were evaluated at one-day interval. In addition, nutritional analysis of cattle slurry was also performed. Results revealed that the changes in the DO and temperature insignificant during 30 days of incubation with no stirring provided. However, TS, VS decrease with incubation time. The production of biogas was not significant in this arrangement. Hence, this setup requires further modifications with stirring, addition of inoculum and slurry change. The evaluation and upgrading of this simple biogas plant help to improve the use of renewable energy at small scale farm operations.

• Name with initials: D.M.N.H. Jayasuriya

• Full name: Disanayaka Mudalige Nilupul Hansaka Jayasuriya

•  E-mail: nilupuljayasuriya44@gmail.com

• Contact No: +94717727894

Research Title: Influence of surface functional properties of bio-sorbents on methylene blue removal from aqueous phase

Abstract

Bio-sorbents are cost effective adsorbents for the removal of industrial dyes in an ecofriendly manner. This study investigated the potential of five selected bioserbents, palmyrah sprout casing, coconut kernel, king coconut husk, lime peel and manioc peel in the removal of toxic organic dye, methylene blue. Batch adsorptive experiments were conducted to identify best bioserbent with higher potential ability to remove methylene blue from water. For explaining adsorption mechanism of methylene blue by selected bioserbent, palmyrah sprout casing, characterization of functional properties using FTIR and XRD was performed with isotherm, kinetics and rate limiting analysis. FTIR analysis revealed that different bioserbents had different functional properties on their adsorptive surfaces. From isotherm analysis of palmyrah sprout casing, monolayer adsorption was observed during the association between palmyrah sprout casing and methylene blue. The equilibrium time for reaching maximum adsorptive capacity was 1440 minutes. Moreover, the adsorptive process was spontaneous in nature. The XRD and FTIR analysis performed before and after the adsorption of methylene blue by palmyrah sprout casing indicated that surface functional groups such as carbonyl and carboxylic groups actively participated in the removal process. As the use of palmyrah sprout casing for the removal of methylene blue is considered to be new, it could be used for the production of activated carbon with high adsorptive performances for the better removal of methylene blue in future.

•  Name with initials: R.U.C.D. Rathnapriya

•  Full name: Rathnapriyankarage Uththara Charuni Dilshani Rathnapriya

• E-mail: uththaracharuni059@gmail.com

• Contact No: +94763341164

Research Title: A structured novel irrigation system for growing eggplant at homegardens

Abstract

Automation technology is very popular in world to save time and manpower. Since agriculture is now turning to technological revolution, automation concept can be introduced to agriculture as well to minimize consuming time and manpower. Automation system can be incorporate to the solar panel to ensure zero environmental pollution from power production. On the other hand, consuming food which with high amount of inorganic fertilizer resulting several health impacts to human. In this study, we have developed Arduino based smart irrigation system and this system is fully automated and it is incorporated with solar PV technology. To operate this smart irrigation unit even in distance areas, IoT was used and using an ESP 8266 Wi-Fi module connected to control solenoid valve and the data detection from the DHT 11 temperature and humidity sensor as well as YL 100 soil moisture sensors were transferred to the mobile application that have developed to control solenoid valves and data monitoring. To check the function of this smart automated irrigation structure, an experiment was conducted in an insect free net house by cultivating eggplants in pots and three experiments were arranged to check the impact of reduced fertilizer that have been recommended by department of Agriculture in Sri Lanka for eggplant. Control experiment was set with recommended dosage of fertilizer to T1 at 10% of fertilizer reduction and T2 was at 20% of fertilizer reduction. To obtain fertilizer reduction, water amount needed to eggplant was reduced and fertilizer was applied through water. The growth parameters of plant stem diameter, number of leaves, number of flowers and number of pods were measured in three days interval. Leaf area and shoot to root diameter were measured in two weeks of interval. Results of this experiment revealed that the 10% reduction in fertilizer application did not affect growth and yield performances of eggplant significantly. This novel irrigation system will differently enhances home garden with productive cultivation of vegetables in an eco-friendly manner.

Name with initial: S. Bhiranavi

Full name: Bhiranavi Satchithanantham

E-mail: Bhirnasatchi@gmail.com

Contact No: 0771446253

Research Title: Changes in some physical properties of black gram during growth, development and processing

Name: Suraweera Jeewamali

Title: DRYING BEHAVIOR OF DIFFERENT VEGETABLES (Daucus carota, Manihot esculenta, Musa acuminata) UNDER TWO DRYING CONDITIONS: OPEN SOLAR AND CONCENTRATED SOLAR

Name: Tharushi Danushika Kariyawasam

Title: Effect of Biotower incorporated with Activated Carbon on the Treatment for Wastewater Contaminated with Malachite Green

Name: Selvarasa Asmiya Jenit

Title: EFFECT OF ENGINEERED BIOCHAR DERIVED FROM Gliricidia sepium WOOD CHIPS, ON WATER RETENTION OF COMPOST INCORPORATED POTTING MIXTURE

Name: R.M.G.K. ranasinghe

Title: A comprehensive study on the effect of ultrasonication on Spodoptera frugiperda eggs in Sri Lanka; As a method of non-chemical insect control method