Research Interests:
Design of hierarchical zeolites and metal oxides
Conversion of biomass/biomass derivatives to value added chemicals and fuels
Strategies for conversion of hemicellulose to levulinic acid and fuels in absence of hydrogenation
Utilization of CO2 for the production of methanol and other fuels
Biomass Pyrolysis and upgradation
Development of novel semiconductor materials for photocatalytic and gas sensing applications
Fabrication of continuous flow reactors for faster kinetic rates of glucose/fructose to value added chemicals
Conversion of humins (polymeric by-product) generated from carbohydrates to fuels
Techno-economic analysis and validating the economic feasibility of the process
Ph.D. Thesis:
Biomass to Specialty Chemicals: Advanced Catalysts, Processes and Techno-Economics
Description: - The project summarize about the design of hierarchical and functionalized zeolites (MOR and ZSM-5) by simple synthesis methods for the conversion of Biomass/Biomass Derivatives to Hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF)/ Levulinic acid (LA). We further, highlighted the encapsulation of ionic liquid in the zeolite without degradation. We also included development of sustainable and economic processes such as utilization of biphasic system, hemicellulose, and microwave reactor for the conversion of carbohydrates to Levulinic acid. We also presented the properties and formation mechanism of humins from various carbohydrates.
Supervisor: Dr. Nageswara Rao Peela, Associate Professor, IITG, Guwahati.
Click here to follow Dr. Peela
M.Tech. Thesis:
Design and Development of Multifunctional SnO2-Ta2O5 Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic and Gas Sensing Applications
Description: - This work highlight the facile synthesis of pure SnO2, Ta2O5 and various composition of SnO2-Ta2O5 nanocomposites by co-precipitation and hydrothermal method. A detailed study of phase purity, morphology, elemental compositions, optical bandgap, and surface area was carried out using sophisticated techniques. The optical bandgap, surface area and crystallinity varied with variation of composition of the nanocomposite and tested their photocatalytic and gas sensing activity. Methylene blue was selected as a model compound for photocatalytic degradation and degradation was monitored using UV-Vis Spectroscopy and TOC analysis. The resistivity of the sample in the presence and absence of the gas has been measured by two probe technique using a Keithely source meter in a gas sensing station.
Supervisor: Dr. Nalini G Sundaram, Associate Professor, Poornaprajna Institute of Scientific Research , Bangalore.
B. Tech Thesis: -
Simulation of Gas Sweetening Process Using Aspen Hysys Tool
Description: Natural gas is the most important and popular fossil fuel in the current era and future as well. As the natural gas is existed in deep underground reservoirs so it may contain several non-hydrocarbon components for example, hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide. These impurities are undesirable compounds and cause several technical problems for example, corrosion and environment pollution. Therefore, this study aims to simulate the gas sweetening process by using the Aspen Hysys for the removal of these non-hydrocarbons from the sour gas. Moreover, the simulation work is adopted amine gas sweetening process by using DEA solution and it achieved high acid gases removal. In addition, the simulation work is also done for various process variables like temperature, pressure, molar flow and weight fraction of DEA solvent and found that the use of (DEA 28% w/w) may consider the most recommended process.
Supervisor: Dr. Ajeeth Prabhu T., Assistant Professor, GVPCOE (A), Visakhapatnam.