1SARDAR PATEL RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

ANNUAL REPORT 2014-15

SPRERIStriving for Excellence

Dr. Amrita Patel Ex-Chairman, NDDB, Anand (Chairman)

Prof. A.C. Pandya Ex-Director, CIAE, Bhopal, Ex-Director, SPRERI and Energy Consultant (upto March 13, 2015)

Prof. B.S. Pathak Ex-Director, SPRERI and Energy Consultant

Shri P.C. Amin Director, Elecon Group of Companies, M/s Elecon Engineering Co. Ltd., Vallabh Vidyanagar

Dr. Kanchan K. Singh Assistant Director General (FE), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi

Shri Deepak Joshi Head, Electronics & Controls Systems Division M/s Jyoti Limited, Vadodara Shri P.L. Panchal Dy. Secretary (NCE), Energy & Petrochemicals Department, GoG, Gandhinagar Dr. S.G. Patel Hon. Joint Secretary, Charutar Vidya Mandal, Vallabh Vidyanagar

Dr. Datta Madamwar Professor, B.R. Doshi School of Biosciences, S.P. University, Vallabh Vidyanagar

Dr. M. Shyam Director, SPRERI, Vallabh Vidyanagar(Member-secretary)

Members of the Board of Management

Acknowledgement

(As on 31st March 2015)

SPRERI gratefully acknowledges the financial support it continues to receive from:

• Department of Energy and Petrochemicals, Govt. of Gujarat, Gandhinagar

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Govt. of India, New Delhi

• Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi

-Department of Biotechnology

-Department of Science & Technology

• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India, New Delhi

1

Contents Page

Important SPRERI Technologies available for use/commercialization ... 2

The Organization

Vision and Mission … 3

Highlights of the Year … 4

Research and Development

Solar Energy … 5

Bio-Conversion … 9

Thermo-Chemical Conversion … 20

Training and Awareness Creation

Training and Demonstrations … 23

Business Meet … 25

Open House … 25

Hari Om Ashram Prerit Young Scientist Award … 26

Consultancy … 26

Memorandums of Understanding … 27

Technology Evaluation and Transfer

Regional Test Centre … 27

Technology Evaluation and Monitoring … 28

Technology Transfer … 31

Patent Filed … 31

Human Resource Development … 32

Participation in Meetings, Seminars and Conferences … 32

Papers Published … 35

Research Projects Pursued … 36

Visitors … 38

SPRERI Team … 39

Balance Sheet … 40

Abbreviations Inside Back Cover

2

Important SPRERI Technologiesavailable for use/commercialization

• Solar refrigerator

• Low tunnel solar drying system: grid connected/stand alone

• Forced circulation solar drying system

• Low cost solar tracker

• Roof integrated unglazed solar drying system

• Conversion of fruit and vegetable residue to biogas and manure

• Conversion of kitchen residue to biogas and manure

• Biogas generation from agro-industrial effluent

• Open core down draft gasifier systems for thermal and power applications

• Biomass combustor-cum-hot air generator

• Improved biomass cook stoves: batch and continuous operation

• Movable platform type wood cutter for preparing feedstock for gasifier

3

The OrganizationSardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute (SPRERI), established in 1979, is an

autonomous and not-for-profit organization managed by a Board comprising leading

technologists, scientists, industrialists and representatives of Central and State Governments.

It is recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, GoI, as a Scientific

and Industrial Research Organization. It is also approved as a Research Association for the

purpose of clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of section 35 of IT Act, 1961. It generates most of

its operating funds through projects given to it on merit by government and non-government

organizations. SPRERI’s service activities like consultancy, technology evaluation, testing and

training supplement the project funds to make it self-supporting. It is a renowned renewable

energy (RE) research institution and is recognized for post graduate research by Sardar Patel

University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh and many other

academic institutions.

Solar energy, bio-conversion and thermo-chemical conversion of biomass are the three major

fields of specialization at SPRERI. Many renewable energy devices and systems developed at

SPRERI are now manufactured by selected industries and supplied to end users. In addition,

the promotion of renewable energy technologies is pursued through field evaluation and

demonstrations, training and entrepreneurship development, awareness programmes and

integrated development of selected tribal villages. The “Open House” organized by SPRERI,

primarily to create awareness about RE technologies, was visited by 3500 visitors, particularly

the youth.

SPRERI, a leading organization for research and development of renewable energy (RE)

technologies, focuses on sustainable biomass conversion and solar energy based solutions,

which are technically efficient, economically viable, environment friendly and which meet the

needs of society.

MISSION• To set-up a world class “Centre for advanced research in biomass conversion technologies”

• To develop environment friendly technologies for conversion of biomass into biofuels,

energy (including electricity) and useful chemicals

• To develop technologies for utilization of bioconversion waste

• To develop technologies for application of solar energy

• To develop business models for promoting use of RE technologies

• To provide knowledge based insights to influence policies and programmes of the governments

for utilization of biomass and solar energy technologies for meeting energy requirements

• To provide specialized training in RE technologies to engineers and scientists and guidance

and facilities to research students

• To provide extension support and consultancy to RE programmes

• To test and evaluate RE technologies

VISION

4

Highlights of the Year The Government of India has significantly enhanced the target of setting-up renewable

energy systems in the country by 2022. This calls for concerted effort to develop/adapt

renewable energy technologies suitable for various applications and sectors in the country.

SPRERI continues its research and development in renewable energy technologies. One of

the important projects it has been working on since 2010 which concluded during the year

was “Renewable energy intervention for rural development”. During the period, simple

renewable energy gadgets such as improved biomass cook stoves, solar home lights/

lanterns, solar cookers, solar dryers and low water requirement biogas plants were set-up in

around a few hundred selected farmer’s households in three tribal villages of Dahod district

and two tribal villages of Chhota Udaipur district. An innovative solution for providing

adequate natural day light in the tribal homes was also developed and demonstrated in 20

tribal homes. The socio-economic impact of introduction of these technologies has been

evaluated jointly with Agro-Economic Research Centre, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh

Vidyanagar.

A solar-biogas based refrigeration facility for storage of 6-8 tonnes fresh horticulture

produce upto a period of 4-5 weeks has been developed and is under evaluation. It is

also equipped with a small photovoltaic power plant to meet the electricity requirements

of the water pumps and fans. The information generated in the project will be used to

design similar stand-alone facilities for operation in production catchment areas. Work on

execution of the research projects “Integrated research and development of biogas off-grid power solution for aquatic feed by high rate biomethanation using effective mixing

technology” and “Efficiency enhancement of Scheffler dish solar concentrating technology”

have begun. Under these projects designs of the pilot plant for biomethanation of water

hyacinth have been prepared and a Scheffler dish solar concentrating system of 16 m2 area

with a receiver has been installed and development of an automatic system for N-S sun

tracking of the dish has begun.

The Institute’s BIS approved and NABL accredited Regional Test Centre completed testing

of 48 solar thermal devices during the year as per BIS/MNRE approved procedure. The

devices tested included 13 flat plate collector based water heaters, 31 evacuated tube

collector based solar water heaters and 4 solar box cookers. The Institute is working

with a few local firms for development of biomass cook stoves, prefabricated biogas plants

and other renewable energy gadgets, which meet BIS specifications. SPRERI contributed

its resource personnel in training programmes organized by NDDB at Anand and GEDA at

Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Integrated Rural Energy Development, Amrol, Dist. Anand.

A patent “Enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass” has been filed with Indian Patent office at

Mumbai.

The annual event “Open House” organized at SPRERI on January 30-31, 2015 received

overwhelming response with 3500 visitors.

The manufacturing and marketing rights of the SPRERITECH improved biomass cook stoves

were transferred to one more firm i.e. M/s Tanu Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Anand.

5

Research and Development

Solar EnergyDevelopment of solar-biogas refrigeration technology for on-farm safe transient storage of horticulture produce

The installation and commissioning of a

solar thermal refrigeration based cold

storage system has been completed. The

system has been set-up on the roof of an

existing building at Aanand Agricultural

University, Anand campus. Its front view

has been shown on the cover page of the

report. The facility consists of the following

sub-systems.

i. Vapour absorption machine: A lithium

bromide-water based VAM of 5 TR

capacity, developed by M/s Voltas

Ltd. especially for SPRERI, has been

installed. It uses hot water having 80-90°C temperature and chills the cooling

water to 6-9°C.

ii. Solar thermal collector: Forty five

modules of evacuated tubes collectors

(ETC) with heat pipe, each of 3.27 m2

area, have been installed to supply the

hot water to the VAM (Fig. 1). The

ETC with heat pipe offers the unique

advantage of raising the temperature of

the water upto 90°C in a far shorter time

than the common ETC water heaters.

iii. Cold chambers: Three prefabricated

cuboid cold rooms, each of 3 m x 3 m

area and 2.5 m height have been installed.

Approximately 3 ton of horticulture

produce can be loaded in each chamber.

iv. Solar PV power plant: A 10 kWp PV

power plant has been installed to meet

the auxiliary power requirement of the

pumps and fan coil units of the system

(Fig. 2).

v. Control panel: It has been programmed

to regulate the operations of the pumps and

recording various temperatures and energy

consumption data.

After completion of the preliminary trials

of all the sub-systems, the performance

evaluation of the VAM was carried out

with hot water inlet temperature varying

between 75 and 90°C and the coefficient

of performance (COP) was found to be in

the range of 0.57 to 0.72. It took around

2-4 h time to bring down the temperature

of 3 kL of the cooling water from 17°C to

8°C. Performance of the solar hot water

system was monitored for the hot water

outlet temperature varying in the range

of 80-95°C and the efficiency was found

varying between 37% and 47%. The cold

room temperature dropped from 27°C to

12°C in 40 min without VAM support while

the temperature of the chilled water (3 kL)

was found to increase from 8°C to 11°C. A

comprehensive performance evaluation of

the system is in progress.

A fixed dome type all brick masonry

cattle dung based biogas plant of 50 m3/d

capacity was designed, constructed and

commissioned (Fig. 3). The biogas plant

includes appropriate sub-systems for

preparation and charging of the cattle dung

slurry, removal and disposal of the digested

slurry and storage and supply of the biogas.

Fig. 1: Solar thermal field for hot water supply

6

34.0 134.0 425.0 21.7 28320 37.0

35.0 136.5 429.9 18.5 27180 34.3

35.5 133.5 464.9 22.7 27180 36.2

36.0 132.0 425.0 19.2 26880 35.8

Fig. 3: Fixed dome type biogas plant of 50 m3/d capacity Fig. 2: Solar PV power plant of 10 kWp capacity

Efficiency enhancement of Scheffler dish solar concentrating technology

A Scheffler dish of 16 m2 area was procured

and installed with a receiver. The dish

tracks the sun along E-W axis automatically

while tracking along the N-S axis is manual.

Pyranometer and pyrheliometer with dual

axis tracking system were procured and

installed to measure solar beam and global

radiations. The receiver has been provided

with appropriate instruments to measure

steam flow rate, temperature and pressure.

Ansys-CFD software was procured and

installed in the workstation for design

and analysis of the low convection and

radiation heat loss receiver. Performance

evaluation of the system (Fig. 4) began

with outlet steam pressure of about three

bars. Thermal efficiency of the system was

found to be 35-37% for the average beam

radiation of 430 W/m2. The performance

results are given in Table 1. Further work

on performance evaluation is in progress.

Table 1: Results of Scheffler dish solar concentrating system during March 2015

Fig. 4: Experimental set-up for the Scheffler dish solar concentrator

Temperature (°C)

Inlet water Steam outlet

Avg. beam radiation (W/m²)

Mass of the steam generated

(kg)

Time period

(s)

Thermal efficiency

(%)

7

Design and development of a PV module integrated forced convection solar drying system

Full load testing of the dryer was carried

out for drying fresh tomatoes and green

chillies (high bonded moisture products) and

the cost of drying was worked out. Twenty

kg of fresh sliced and blanched tomatoes

(initial mc 97.5%) were loaded onto the

drying trays and their moisture content

was reduced to 5.9% after 10 solar hours

of drying period (avg. solar radiation 790

W/m2). The mass of the dried tomatoes was

1.15 kg. Subsequently 25.3 kg of blanched

green chillies (initial mc 89.0%) were

loaded on the drying trays. The moisture

content reduced to 3.6% at the end of 12

solar hours (Fig. 5). Simultaneously, 3 kg

of fresh blanched green chillies were also

kept in open sun for drying. The mass of

the dried chillies was 1.9 kg for the solar

dryer and 0.28 kg for the open sun drying

process. The variation of moisture content

of the chillies placed in the solar dryer and

in open sun with drying time is shown in Fig.

6. The quality of chillies dried in the solar

dryer was distinctly superior to the quality

of the chillies dried in open sun. Detailed

analysis for cost of drying was carried out

and compared with electric and PNG based

drying systems. The payback period for the

PV integrated solar dryer was worked out

to be 3.2 to 3.5 years and 3.9 to 4.2 years,

respectively, for replacement of electricity

and PNG based drying systems.

Fig. 5: Green chillies -Fresh, open sun dried and dried in the solar dryer

Fig. 6: Variation of the moisture content of the chilies placed in the solar dryer and open sun with drying time

Time (h)

8

Design, development and evaluation of an efficient solar ETC system with PCM to produce hot water for application in dairy plant

A sample of the paraffin as per our

specifications was procured and tested in-house. Its melting temperature was found

to be 68+2°C and the latent heat of melting

200 kJ/kg. The sample was filled into the

experimental prototype of the ETC of 10 L/d

capacity and performance was evaluated.

For the water flow rates varying in the range

of 5 L/h to 10 L/h, the average discharge

efficiency of the ETC collector was found

to be 80%. Based on the performance data

for the 10 L/d capacity system, a 100 L/d

capacity PCM filled ETC based solar water

heating system was designed and developed

(Fig. 7). The system consisted of 8 sets of

ETC and approximately 24 kg of the paraffin

was filled into the ETCs.

The system was first fully charged (wax

melted) by exposing to the sun and then

the water was allowed to flow through the

collector at a rate of 10 L/h throughout

the day. Variations of the water outlet

temperature and the solar radiation with

time for 20th Oct., 14 are shown in Fig. 8.

The outlet water temperature was found

above 60°C during 10:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The temperature of the water at the outlet

was, in general, in the range of 70-80°C.

Performance trials were conducted for

determining the hot water production ability

of the system at a preset temperature

during intermittent cloud conditions without

changing the mass flow rate. Temperature

drop tests were performed for 15 and 30

min cloud conditions. For a water flow

rate 10 LPH the maximum drop in outlet

temperature recorded was 2.0 to 2.5 and

3.0 to 5.0°C, respectively, for 15 and 30

min cloud conditions. During the long run

trials two of the ETCs broke, probably due

to the self-weight (wax and copper tube).

Besides, the highest temperature of the hot

water achieved in the PCM-filled ETCs was

found to be 65°C for average solar radiation

of 700 W/m2 and ambient temperature of

30°C. The ETC equipped with heat pipes

have provided hot water having temperature

upto 95°C. Those systems may be a better

option for hot water applications in dairy

plants.

Fig. 7: PCM filled ETC based solar water heater of 100 L/d capacity

Fig. 8: Variations of the outlet water temperature and the solar radiation with time for the PCM filled solar water heater for 10 L/h flow rate

9

Development of solar wax melting system

An industry sponsored research project on development of ETC with heat pipe equipped solar wax melting system for two ton per day capacity has been initiated. Initially a prototype of 100 kg/d wax melting system has been designed and developed (Fig.9). The performance evaluation of the prototype is in progress.

Bio-ConversionAnaerobic co-digestion of dairy waste scum with kitchen waste

The effect of co-digestion of dairy waste scum with kitchen waste was studied by setting up daily fed reactors each of 5 L capacity in duplicate for 1:0 and 3:1 and 1:1

mixtures of dairy waste scum and kitchen waste on dry mass basis. Dairy waste scum was collected from a nearby milk processing plant while the kitchen waste from a vegetarian dining hall at Vallabh Vidyanagar. Important characteristics of the dairy waste scum, kitchen waste and the inoculum are given in Table 2. The kitchen waste was ground to pulp using an electric kitchen blender. The substrates were stored at 4oC until used. Fresh digested slurry from a cattle dung based biogas plant was used as inoculum. Inoculum to substrate ratios tested were 10.0, 4.0, 2.0 and 1.0 on db. All the reactors were set up under ambient conditions.

Among the three treatments, the biogas yield of 657 mL/kgTS was the highest for the 100% dairy scum waste and the inoculum to substrate ratio of 4.0. Based on the results of the laboratory experiments, a scale up study was carried out for anaerobic digestion of the dairy waste scum for 10% TSC in 36 L and 900 L capacity reactors for 40 days. The average performance data are summarized in Table 3. A very high biogas yield of 55-60 L/ kg of fresh dairy waste scum and 630 L/kg TS was obtained. The methane content of the biogas was very high 71-72% compared to 50-60% for cattle dung. The methane production potential of the dairy scum was found to be 3.8 times of the methane potential of cattle dung. Methane (natural gas) production potential of the scum available in a plant processing 10 million litres of milk per day has been estimated as 178-356 m3/d, enough to produce 222 to 444 units of electricity per day.

Fig. 9: Prototype of ETC with heat pipe based solar system for wax melting

Table 2: Characteristics of the dairy waste scum, the kitchen waste and the inoculum

Parameters Dairy waste scum Kitchen waste Inoculum

Total solids (% db) 10.00-15.0 17.60-21.1 10.50-13.5

Volatile solids (%TS) 72.00-81.0 85.5-90.7 52.40-54.0

Organic carbon (% db) 46.00-48.0 42.00-49.0 26.0

Nitrogen (% ) 1.50-2.0 2.20-2.5 1.40-1.6

Crude fat (%) 6.00-9.0 - -

10

Table 3: Average performance of anaerobic digestion of dairy waste scum in daily fed reactors for 10% TSC and 40 d RT

Reactor volume (L) 36 900

Biogas yield (L/kg TS) 645 630

Biogas composition

• Methane (%) 70.50 71.70

• Carbon dioxide (%) 27.70 26.90

Development of biogas off-grid system for biomethanation of aquatic feed using effective mixing technology

The physico-chemical characteristics of

water hyacinth were determined and its

biomethanation potential was worked out

for mesophilic (ambient) and thermophillic

(55oC) conditions in batch type reactors for

40 days RT. The whole plant of the water

hyacinth was chopped to less than 25 mm

particle size. Reactors of 0.6 L of total

volume with 0.4 L effective volume were

used. The inoculum to substrate ratio was

1:1. The results are summarized in Table 4.

Water hyacinth being highly fibrous got

bonded together and formed a blanket inside

the reactor. Therefore, a floating dome

type reactor made of acrylic and having

effective volume of 200 L was constructed

to simulate the mixing through bubbling.

A 25 mm diameter pipe has been inserted

along the vertical axis of the reactor and

Fig. 10: Schematics of water hyacinth biomethanation process through bubbling

Table 4: Results of anaerobic digestion of water hyacinth in batch type reactors

Parameters Mesophilic Thermophilic

Average total biogas production (L) 1.95 2.32

Average final pH 6.87 7.14

Biogas yield (L/kg material)

• After 15 days 9.46 12.90

• After 30 days 12.90 19.20

• After 40 days 14.90 20.80

Development and evaluation of SPRERI odourless technology for biomethanation of water hyacinth

The biomethanation potential of water

hyacinth is being studied by employing

SPRERI odourless technology. Water

hyacinth was collected from nearby ponds/

lakes. Physico-chemical characterization

of the water hyacinth has been carried out.

Initially, water hyacinth was chopped to

≈1 cm size pieces and a juicer was used

to separate the leachate and the solid

residues. Physico-chemical properties

of the leachate and the solid residues are

summarized in Table 5. The leachate is

being used as the substrate for production

of biogas using a laboratory scale anaerobic

filter. Acclimatization is in progress.

the biogas produced was recirculated

using a foot pump. Mixing is proposed to

be carried out using biogas twice in a day.

Schematic of the process is shown in Fig.

10. Further work is in progress. An MoU

has been signed between SPRERI and M/s S

P Eco Fuel Pvt. Ltd, Vadodara primarily to

set-up a water hyacinth based biogas plant

at Makarpura, GIDC, Vadodara.

11

Development of an economically viable process technology for de-toxification of Jatropha de-oiled cake and simultaneous fuel gas production

In continuation of the work reported last

year, anaerobically digested slurry (DS)

was evaluated as manure under greenhouse

conditions. The results showed that the

plant height and chlorophyll content were

significantly affected by use of the DS over

the control. The dry shoot mass of maize

was found significantly increased for the

100% RDF+ DS@ 1 ton/ha over 100%

RDF and control. The data on soil analysis

revealed that organic carbon, available

P2O

5 and K

2O contents of the soil improved

significantly due to organic sources i.e.

Castor seed cake, Jatropha seed cake (JSC)

and DS over control. The digested slurry

was found non-toxic and an excellent

organic fertilizer for raising crops.

Jatropha seed cake obtained after oil

extraction is an excellent source of protein.

However, the presence of high levels of

major toxic component phorbol esters (PE)

restricts its use as feed. Studies were also

conducted to evaluate the nutritive quality

of DS obtained after anaerobic digestion

through feed trials with fish. Rohu fingerlings

were collected from Gujarat Government

Fish Seed Centre, Limbodi (Dist. Dahod),

acclimatized to laboratory conditions for

15 days and fed with 1:1 mixture of finely

powdered rice bran and groundnut oil cake.

The feeding trial was conducted in 50 L

glass aquaria (60 x 30 x 38 cm). Fish meal

(of Indian origin) was prepared from javla

procured from the local market, oven dried

at 50-60oC for 24 h and ground to powder.

The fish were fed with the formulated

feed twice a day at 9.00 and 15.00 h at

the rate of 3% of the body weight per day

for 30 days. Before diet formulation, the

proximate compositions of feed ingredients

of unprocessed JSC, DS along with fish meal

were worked out. Control diet was prepared

with fish meal as a complete protein source

and designated as ‘reference diet’ (RD).

The experimental diets include 25%, 50%

and 75% replacement of fishmeal with the

DS and were designated as DS25

, DS50

and

DS75

. On termination of the experiment,

the fish were killed from each aquarium

and analyzed for carcass composition and

histopathological parameters.

The general behavior of fish was observed

to be normal during the entire feeding trial

and, therefore, palatability of the feed was

taken as good. There was no mortality in

any of the dietary groups during the trial

period. Histopathological examination

showed that in the reference diet, the central

vein, sinusoids and normal organization of

hepatocytes were seen whereas in DS25

,

DS50

and DS75

clear necrosis, hypertrophy

as well as vacuolation of hepatocyte and

change in the organization of central vein

was seen clearly in dose dependent manner.

The studies on potential of digested

slurry as fish feed indicated that when the

feed substitution reached 25% it had a

detrimental effect on the health of the fish.

Thus, further investigations are required

at lower replacement of fish meal to check

the efficacy of detoxification owing to its

negative effect on fish population.

Table 5: Characteristics of leachate and the solid residue of the water hyacinth

Parameters Leachate Solid residue

Total solids (%db) 2.87 19.38

Volatile solids (%TS) 44.00 87.76

Organic carbon (%db) 37.75 38.10

Nitrogen (%) 01.40 01.62

Phosphorus (%) 0.116 0.902

Cellulose (%) 11.88 31.73

Hemicellulose (%) 14.28 22.82

Lignin (%) 03.96 09.62

Calorific value (cal/g) 2279.7 2888.9

12

Development and evaluation of laboratory scale pressure swing adsorption system for biogas up-gradation and carbon dioxide recovery

Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system,

developed jointly with M/s Air-N-Gas

and M/s Dintech Pvt Ltd, Ahmedabad,

was evaluated for up-gradation of the

biogas (initial methane concentration of

66-68%) produced in an anaerobic filter

using dairy wastewater as the substrate.

The biogas was stored in 10 m3 capacity

balloon and compressed to a pressure of

4 bar after passing through a hydrogen

sulphide scrubber. The compressed biogas

is being upgraded (separation of methane

and carbon dioxide) using a two column

PSA process which consists of six step

cycle. The process flow diagram of the

biogas up-gradation system is given in Fig.

11. Trials were carried out for different

cycles varying from 30 + 30 s to 200 +

400 s. After completion of the six step

cycle, the separated methane fraction was

analyzed using gas chromatography for

the methane concentration and the results

are summarized in Table 6. The highest

methane concentration of 83.4% was found

for 45 + 45 s time cycle. Further trials are

in progress to optimize the cycle steps to

obtain methane content of more than 90%.

Fig. 11: Process flow diagram of biogas up-gradation systemTable 6: Details of different cycle steps tested and methane contents of the up-graded biogas

30 + 30 10 15 5 10 15 5 77.0

60 + 60 15 40 5 15 40 5 75.1

90 + 90 15 60 15 15 60 15 73.3

200 + 200 25 150 25 50 125 25 79.1

300 + 300 25 250 25 75 200 25 74.3

400 + 400 25 350 25 125 250 25 71.7

45 + 45 10 30 5 10 30 5 83.4

Pressuri-zation

Adsorption Depressuri-zation

Cycle stepsBlow down Purging Equali-

zation

Methane (%)

Operation time (s)

13

Feasibility studies on bio-hydrogen production from agro-industrial wastes

Bio-hydrogen potential of potato peels

and kitchen waste was studied at ambient

temperature at different loads (5, 10, 15 and

20 g) in batch reactors along with control

for 5 days RT. Control reactors were filled

up only with preheated inoculum (100°C for

15 min to deactivate the methanogens) and

water. The effective volume of each reactor

was 0.1 L. The results are summarized in

Table 7. Maximum hydrogen concentration

of 13.3% was found on the 3rd day in the

reactors having 20 g potato peels, whereas

maximum hydrogen concentration of 26.2%

was found on 2nd day in the reactor with

10 g kitchen waste. The hydrogen yield was

found to be very low. Therefore, further

studies were carried out in two phase

anaerobic digestion process. The acid phase

produced hydrogen and the slurry mixture

available from the acid phase was processed

in an anaerobic digester which produced

methane rich biogas. But no significant

increase in bio-hydrogen yield was found

and the hydrogen concentration was found

to be almost the same as in the single phase

batch reactor. Therefore, biomethanation

followed by steam reforming of methane for

hydrogen production may be a better route.

Potato peels (g) 5 10 15 20 ControlInitial pH 8.63 8.23 7.87 7.58 9.31Final pH 6.55 6.13 5.06 4.41 8.85Avg. total gas production (mL) 28.50 36.50 83.50 64.00 17.00Hydrogen yield (mL/g substrate) 0.02 0.08 0.11 0.12 -

Kitchen waste (g) Initial pH 6.45 5.72 5.58 5.24 7.91Final pH 5.25 4.13 4.09 3.99 7.42Avg. biogas production (mL) 61.20 99.60 57.60 22.40 17.00Hydrogen yield (mL/g substrate) 2.41 1.59 0.15 0.02 -

Table 7: Performance data of the reactors treating potato peels and kitchen waste

Table 8: The biomass yield and lipid content of the micro algal strains for 80:20 ratio of wastewater and the synthetic mediums

SBC 39 BG11 6 1.20 10 24.00 BBM 6 0.80 10 28.00

SBC 212 BG11 6 0.90 10 21.00 BBM 6 0.80 10 23.00

Strains MediumDays (g/L) Days (%)

Biomass yield Total lipid

Biomass and lipid accumulation of microalgae grown on distillery/dairy waste water

Suitability of cheese whey as enrichment medium for growing microalgae SBC 39 (Scenedesmus) and SBC 212 (Chlorella sp.) was evaluated by setting up experiments having cheese whey (CW) and BG 11 medium in the ratios of 0:1 (control), 1:99, 5:95, 10:90, 20:80, 40:60, 50:50 and

80:20. The other supportive conditions were: shaking at 150 rpm and incubation at 25±2˚C under a continuous photo-period light intensity of 35 μmol photon m2/s. The experimental flasks were inoculated with 10% (v/v) inoculum. Eighty percent replacement of the synthetic medium by CW was found feasible for both the strains. Results are summarized in Table 8.

14

Biochemical engineering of microalgae for enhanced lipid accumulation

The effect of different concentrations

of leucine, alanine, glycine, biotin,

thiamin, niacin and sodium pyruvate

(10 µM, 50 µM and 1mM) on the growth and

lipid accumulation of microalgae was studied

in the most promising mode of cultivation.

Experimental flasks were inoculated with 10

mL of SBC 19 (Chlorella sp.) and incubated

at 28°C for 25 days. Maximum biomass

concentration obtained for sodium pyruvate

(1mM) treatments was 1.2 g/L cell biomass

on the 24th day. The lipid accumulation was

found to be maximum of 13.0% on the 26th

day in 1mM sodium pyruvate concentration.

Minimum biomass concentration of 0.5 g/L

was obtained on the 26th day for 1 mM

glycine treatment. The lipid accumulation

was found to be the highest of 10.2% in

1mM glycine concentration on the 22ndday

than the other concentrations. The results

indicated that these amino acids do not

induce significant enhancement of biomass

compared to the control medium.

Further experiments were carried out using

low cost commercial grade fertilizers i.e.

urea, NPK (19:19:19), DAP and ammonium

sulphate, separately, in concentrations of

40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 mg/L for

the growth and lipid accumulation of SBC

19 and compared with the control medium

i.e. BG 11. Maximum biomass and lipid

contents were found to be 0.6 g/L on the 6th

day and 13% on the 22nd day, respectively,

for the NPK (19:19:19) concentration of

140 mg/L. The corresponding values for

the control treatment were 0.40 g/L on the

6th day and 16% on 20th day.

Bioremediation of dairy wastewater by microalgae

Wastewater was collected from a nearby

dairy. A bench scale column aeration

photobioreactor of 86 L capacity was used

for bioremediation of the dairy wastewater

(back cover). The reactor was fed with

50% cheese water and 50% BG11 medium.

Physico-chemical properties of pre and

post-treatment effluent samples were

analyzed following the standard method.

There was a gradual reduction in various

parameters of the effluent treated with SBC

39 sp. On 15th day, the COD concentration

was reduced by more than 79%, the fluoride

reduction was 100% while the concentrations

of ammonia and nitrate gradually reduced

from 370 mg/L to 125 mg/L and 145 mg/L to

39 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations

of chloride, sulphate, and phosphate also

reduced considerably (Table 9). The algal

biomass production and lipid contents

were found to be 1.5 g/L and 15% on 15th

day, respectively. Further experiments

are in progress with replacement of 80%

synthetic medium with dairy wastewater.

pH 4.43 8.43 8.61 8.95

Chemical oxygen demand (mg/L) 18000 6350 5860 3730

Chloride (mg/L) 1473 886 837 738

Fluoride (mg/L) 43.00 1.50 1.46 ND

Sulphate (mg/L) 0.360 0.17 0.125 0.19

Nitrate (mg/L) 145 37 30 39

Ammonia (mg/L) 370 185 150 125

Total phosphate (mg/L) 340.0 31.0 17.5 10.0

Iron (mg/L) 12.50 4.25 2.60 2.50

Parameters Raw waste water 5thday 10th day 15th day

Table 9: Physico-chemical properties of pre and post-treatment effluent samples

ND- not determined

15

Lignocellulosic ethanol

A bench scale system was developed for testing the SPRERI cellulosic ethanol technology developed in the laboratory. Appropriate systems for bulk enzyme production, concentration, saccharification and fermentation were designed, developed, installed and commissioned (Fig. 12). Bulk enzyme production was carried out in trays each of 250 x 150 x 210 mm size using 250 g physically pretreated rice straw of 5 mm mesh size. The substrate was moistened with modified Mandels and Weber (MW) medium in the ratio of 1:6 and sterilized at 121°C for 15 min. The trays were UV sterilized separately for 1 h. After sterilization, 3% (v/v) of seed inoculum was added to the pre-sterilized mix. The trays were incubated at 45°C for 7 days (humidity 75%) in a temperature controlled humidity chamber. The crude cellulases were pre-clarified by centrifugation at 10000 x g for 10 min at 4°C. The clear supernatant was concentrated by using TFF unit (Pall

membrane, Mumbai) with a molecular weight cut off 10 kDa polyethylene sulfonate membrane. The concentrated enzyme was used for enzymatic hydrolysis studies.

Based on the laboratory findings the bench scale high solid saccharification reactor was operated for 48 h incubation period. The results revealed higher saccharification efficiency of 76% in 40 h with TFF concentrated enzymes in the scaled up system compared to the saccharification efficiency of 69.2% in the laboratory experiments. The horizontal orientation of the bench scale reactor might have provided free fall and thorough mixing of the contents inside the reactor. This might have minimized the particle settling and local accumulation of the products of the reaction within the reactor as well as ensuring better enzyme distribution, which might have led to higher efficiency in the scale up system compared to the laboratory system.

Fig. 12: (a) Humidity chamber for solid state fermentation for bulk enzyme production (b) Tangential flow filtration unit for concentrating crude enzyme (c) Solid state fermentor for saccharification studies (d) 5 L capacity submerged fermentor for ethanol fermentation

a

b

c

d

16

During the year studies were also

focused on simultaneous saccharification

and fermentation using newly isolated

thermotolerant Kluyveromyces sp. with

three different delignified lignocellulosic

biomass viz. rice straw (RS), wheat straw

(WS) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) for 5-15%

solids loading and 6-12 FPU/g substrate

enzyme loading for different time intervals

(0-72 h) at 42οC. Maximum ethanol yield

achieved from RS, WS and SB with in-house

crude cellulases from Aspergillus terreus was 23.23, 18.29 and 17.91 mg/mL at 60 h

with 10% solid load and 9 FPU/g substrate

enzyme loading. Tween 80 (1%,v/v)

enhanced the ethanol yield by 8.39, 9.26

and 8.14% in RS, WS and SB, respectively.

External supplementation of β-glucosidase

separately to the crude and commercial

cellulases produced maximum theoretical

ethanol yield of 71.76, 63.77, 57.15 and

84.56, 72.47, 70.55%, respectively for RS,

WS and SB. The utilization of both cellulose

and hemicellulosic sugars present in typical

lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate is

essential for economical production of

ethanol. Based on the results obtained in

the present study, 1 kg each of the raw RS,

WS and SB contained 410, 385 and 390 g

cellulose. These can theoretically produce

232, 217 and 220 g ethanol, respectively.

Considering the best % yields in the present

work, RS, WS and SB can yield 196 g (248

mL), 157 g (198 mL) and 155 g (196 mL)

of ethanol, respectively. Hemicellulose

accounts for approximately one third of the

total carbohydrates in native lignocellulosic

biomass. Fermentation of xylose in

the liquid fraction to produce ethanol

was conducted in the laboratory using

Pichia stipitis 3498 (NCIM, Pune, India) and

conversion efficiencies of 55.07%, 52.06%

and 58.95% were found for RS, WS and SB,

respectively.

Use of mutagenesis to improve economics of cellulases production by an in-house isolate

SPRERI has recently developed two

potential mutants of the indigenously

isolated in-house filamentous fungus

Aspergillus terreus by combined sequential

UV and chemical mutagenesis method.

These were named EMS1 and EMS2. The

prominent cellulase activities in the two

in-house strains were evaluated critically.

Besides, metabolic engineering studies

were performed using RS and SB as growth

substrates in different combinations and the

results are summarized in Table 10. The

mutants EMS1 and EMS2 showed 3.5 and

4.0 fold increase in total cellulase activity

(FPase).

Native RS 0.61 0.97 15.31 4.87 267

EMS2 2.07 (3.4) 2.31 (2.4) 33.11 (2.2) 5.12 (1.1) 266 (-)

Native SB 0.93 0.47 17.89 4.68 583

EMS1 1.74 (1.9) 0.91 (1.9) 38.00 (2.1) 9.43 (2.0) 646 (1.1)

Native RS75:SB25 0.52 0.50 6.21 4.0 138

EMS2 2.09 (4.0) 0.30 (-) 30.42 (4.9) 19.9 (5.0) 252 (1.8)

Native RS50:SB50 0.71 0.45 7.99 4.56 273

EMS2 2.01 (2.8) 0.48 (1.1) 32.20 (4.0) 12.37 (2.7) 268 (-)

Native RS25:SB75 0.67 0.30 9.15 3.93 292

EMS1 2.34 (3.5) 0.67 (2.2) 30.92 (3.4) 7.43 (1.9) 285 (-)

Table 10: Enzyme activities from the wild-type and mutant strains grown on RS, SB and mixed RS-SB growth substrates

Strain Growth substrate FPase Avicelase

Enzyme activity in U/mL (fold increase over native)

CMCase β-Glucosidase Xylanase

17

Identification of lignocellulosic degrading enzymes from the in-house isolate Aspergillus terreus

Different types of cellulase enzymes produced from RS, SB, RS50:SB50 and cellulose growth substrates are shown in Fig. 13. Native PAGE experiments detected 02 exoglucanases (Ex), 04 endoglucanases (Eg), 02 glucosidases (Bg), 04 xylanases in the RS-grown culture extracts (Lane A). While in SB-grown culture extracts, 02 exoglucanases, 05 endoglucanases, 03 β-glucosidases, 04 xylanases were detected (Lane B). In cellulose-grown culture extracts, 02 exoglucanases, 05 endoglucanases, 03 β-glucosidases, 04 xylanases were identified (Lane C) and in RS50:SB50 culture extract, 02 exoglucanases, 04 endoglucanases, 02 β-glucosidases, 05 xylanases were detected. From these results it is clearly

evident that the cellulase production varies with the type of growth substrate and this study is very useful in selection of a suitable growth substrate for production of optimized (all essential cellulase components) hyper-producing cellulases.

Saccharification efficiencies for the mild alkali pretreated RS biomass residues using the crude cellulase enzymes obtained from the RS-, SB- and RSSB-grown cells was 79.6, 76.5 and 70.4%, respectively (Table 11).The corresponding values for mild alkali pretreated SB biomass residues were comparatively lower i.e. 37.1, 52.3 and 59.5%. For the acid pretreated RS biomass maximum reducing sugars were obtained with enzyme from RSSB- followed by RS-grown cells and vice versa when acid treated BG biomass was used.

Fig. 13: Detection of (I) exoglucanases (Ex); (II) endoglucanases (Eg); (III) β-glucosidases (Bg) and (IV) xyla-nases (Xy) by zymogram analysis using Aspergillus terreus crude cellulase cocktail produced from (a) RS (b) SB (c) cellulose and (d) RS50:SB50- growth substrates

I II

III

IV

RS Alkali 733 79.6 312 37.1 Acid 424 69.1 216 35.2 SB Alkali 702 76.5 440 52.3 Acid 352 57.4 112 18.2 RS50:SB50 Alkali 646 70.4 498 59.5 Acid 451 73.5 201 32.7

Enzyme produced

usingPre-treatment

condition

Rice straw Sugarcane bagasse

Reducing sugars (mg/g)

Saccharifi- cation (%)

Reducing sugars (mg/g)

Saccharifi- cation (%)

Table 11: Enzymatic saccharification of mild-alkali and dilute acid pretreated RS and SB using crude cellulase enzymes produced using different growth substrates compositions

18

Production of economically viable and low cost cellulases using cheaper lignocellulosic biomass or by co-culturing method

Different agricultural residues namely

wheat bran (WB), RS, WS, SB, saw dust,

rice husk, groundnut shell and oil cakes

etc. were evaluated individually as well

as in combinations with RS (100:0; 25:75;

50:50; and 75:25) for fungal growth and

enzyme production for 7 days incubation

period. Mandels and Weber medium was

used as a moistening agent. Experiments

were carried out with three in-house

fungal strains (parent and the mutants,

UV 15.4 and UV 9.0) using submerged

and solid state fermentation. The results

revealed that solid state fermentation

yielded higher enzyme activities compared

to the submerged fermentation. SB and

WB combination in the ratio of 25:75 gave

better enzyme activities. The second

best combination was RS and WB (25:75).

Further experiments are in progress.

Development of a semi fed-batch method for high-solids biomass saccharification for cellulosic ethanol production

Cellulose degrading enzymes were produced

using the in-house strain Aspergillus terreus and SB as sole carbon source for

growth. Batch and fed-batch experiments

were performed with mild-alkali pretreated

rice straw at 10, 20 and 30% solids loading

and at 9, 12 and 15 FPU/g of enzyme. For

batch the respective enzyme and substrate

were loaded at the start of the hydrolysis

reaction, while in semi fed-batch, the

final solids loading was reached at an

increment of 5% and 10% after 8 h and

24 h, respectively. The saccharification

yields and efficiencies for various treatments

are given in Table 12. For 30% solids loading

and 15 FPU enzyme, the total reducing

sugars production in semi-fed batch mode

was 244.2 g/L, i.e. nearly 13% more than

the reducing sugars production of 216.9 g/L

in the batch mode of saccharification.

Next generation green solvent for pretreatment of the biomass for cellulosic ethanol

Different acids (hydrogen bond donors) having varied melting points were tested in selected combinations and molar ratios (Table 13) for preparation of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES). A total of six lignocellulosic biomass residues i.e. rice straw, wheat straw, coconut shell

fiber, groundnut shells, sugarcane bagasse and saw dust were prepared for NADES pretreatment. The lignin contents of the selected residues varied over a wide range. Physico-chemical characterization of the pretreated biomass, NADES reagents and the lignin extract were carried out using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction,

9 FPU 10 86.4 0.64 73.2 77.6 0.58 63.4 20 166.2 0.54 58.9 173.1 0.56 61.3 30 199.9 0.33 36.3 171.2 0.22 24.8 12 FPU 10 93.6 0.70 76.5 94.9 0.71 77.5 20 173.1 0.56 61.3 174.7 0.56 61.9 30 206.9 0.34 37.5 156.1 0.26 28.3 15 FPU 10 101.2 0.76 82.7 82.4 0.61 67.3 20 187.8 0.61 66.5 233.1 0.75 82.6 30 216.9 0.31 39.4 244.2 0.40 44.3

Enzyme loading

Solids loading

(%)(g/L)

Reducing sugarsBatch mode Semi-fed batch mode

Reducing sugars

(g/g) (g/L) (g/g)Efficiency

(%)

Efficiency (%)

Table 12: Results of the enzymatic saccharification in batch and semi-fed batch processes

19

UV-vis spectroscopy, etc. The schematic representation of the technology is shown in Fig. 14. The liquid extract fraction after NADES pretreatment contained high purity lignin without cellulose or hemicellulose contamination (Fig. 15). The lignin extracts obtained from different types of biomass are shown in Fig. 16. A novel cost-effective green technology towards developing an integrated zero-waste process for biomass pretreatment, lignin extraction, solvent

recovery and re-use, cellulosic ethanol production using NADES reagent is being pursued at SPRERI.

A Committee comprising Prof. B.S. Pathak, Ex-Director, SPRERI, Dr. D.K. Tuli, Coordinator, IOC Bio-Energy Centre, Faridabad, Dr. P. Gunasekaran, Vice Chancellor, Thiruvallurar University, Dr. A. Lali, Professor , ICT, Mumbai, Dr. Datta Madamwar, Professor, S.P. University reviewed the work carried out at SPRERI on “Conversion of crop residues to cellulosic ethanol” on August 8, 2014 and guided the group for future R&D work.

A DBT, GoI expert team comprising Dr. A. Lali, Professor, ICT and Er. Ravi Prakash Gupta, Manager (R&D), IOC Bio-Energy Centre reviewed the work done in the DBT sponsored project “Developing an integrated process technology for conversion of crop residues into ethanol and methane for use as transport fuels and establishing a biotechnology R&D centre” on March 14, 2015 and identified the area for further work.

1 Malonic acid 1:1; 1:2 CMA 2 Malic acid 1:1 CM 3 1,2-propane diol 1:1 CP 4 Citric acid 1:1 CC 5 Tartaric acid 1:1 CT 6 Glycerol 1:1 CG 7 Ethanediol 1:1 CE 8 Lactic acid 1:5; 1:9 CL 9 Urea 1:1 CU 10 Oxalic acid 1:1 CO

Sr. No. Component 2 Molar ratio

( component1:2) NADES

Table 13: List of NADES developed at SPRERI using choline chloride as component 1

Fig. 15: UV-Vis spectroscopy analyses of the lignin extracts obtained from NADES pretreated lignocellulosic biomass residues

Fig. 16: Lignin extracted from pretreated lignocellulosic biomass residues (A) ground nut shells (B) saw dust (C) coconut shell fiber (D) rice straw and (E) sugarcane bagasse

A B C D E

Fig. 14: Schematic of NADES pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass

Biomass

Homogenate

NADES

Liquid(Lignin+NADES)

Solid(Holocellu lose)

Precip itate (Lignin)

Water

Liquid(NADES)

Distillat ion

Sacchari�cation/fermentation

Bioethanol

Liquid(Water)

Liquid(NADES)

20

Thermo-Chemical Conversion Catalytic cracking of tar in fluidized bed gasification of rice husk

The performance of the bubbling fluidized

bed gasifier had been studied with rice husk

as fuel for four different equivalence ratios

(ER) varying between 0.3 to 0.38 and was

found better for ERs of 0.3 and 0.33. The

corresponding fuel feeding rates were 35

and 32 kg/h, respectively, while the air

flow rate was 43 m3/h. During the year,

trials were carried out on use of dolomite

and olivine catalysts mixed separately with

the sand bed in varying proportions i.e. 0,

10, 20, 30 and 40% and the performance

was studied with particular reference to

reduction of the tar content of the producer

gas. Detailed trials carried out showed that

the tar and SPM content of the producer

gas was lower for the ER of 0.33 than 0.3.

The results of gasification of the rice husk

using mixtures of the dolomite and olivine

catalysts in the sand bed in different

proportions for 0.33 ER are shown in

Fig. 17. With the increasing proportion

of dolomite and olivine catalyst in the

sand bed, the tar and SPM contents of the

producer gas was found decreasing and the

higher heating value, thermal efficiency and

carbon conversion efficiency were found

increasing. The tar and SPM contents of the

producer gas was found the lowest for 40%

mixing of the dolomite with the sand bed. The

corresponding higher heating value, thermal

efficiency and carbon conversion efficiency

were also high. However, degradation of

the dolomite particles was found higher as

compare to olivine particles. The clinker

formation was also higher for the dolomite.

Although performance of the gasifier with

olivine catalyst was slightly lower than the

dolomite catalyst, the system required little

attention during the operation.

a) Tar + SPM contents and higher heating value

Fig. 17: Effect of mixing of dolomite and olivine with the sand on fluidised bed gasification of rice husk

b) Thermal efficiency and CCE

Performance evaluation of SPRERI vacuum pyrolysis system and stability study of the bio-oil

The SPRERI pyrolysis reactor (1kg/h

biomass capacity) was suitably modified to

work satisfactorily with powdered biomass

in semi-continuous mode. Sundried and

sieved (0.5 mm particle size) sawdust and

groundnut shell powders having volatile

matter contents of 79.4 and 69.4% (db),

fixed carbon contents of 10.4 and 15.5%

(db) and ash contents of 2.4 and 3.37%

(db), respectively, were used for the study

carried out at 400, 450 and 500°C reaction

temperatures and 6±1°C gas condensation

temperature. For sawdust, the highest

yields of the bio-oil (48% wb) and bio-char (37% wb) were obtained at 400±10°C

reaction temperature. At 450 and 500°C

temperatures, the yields of oil obtained were

44 and 40%, respectively. The maximum

yield for the groundnut shell bio-oil of 40%

21

on mass basis and bio-char of 50% mass

basis were obtained for 400±10°C. While,

the yields of bio-oil obtained at 450 and

500°C were 38% and 36%, respectively.

The calorific value of the bio-oil was around

27±1 MJ/kg. Density, viscosity and pH of

the bio-oil were measured and were found

ranging from 0.9 to 1.2 g/cc, 30 to 40 cSt

and 2.5 to 3.5, respectively. The quantity of

CH4 and H

2 in the pyrolysis gas was found

higher in the case of groundnut shell than

sawdust.

An accelerated aging test was performed to

study stability of the sawdust bio-oil. Glass

bottles of 100 mL capacity filled with the raw

bio-oil were placed in an oven at 80°C for

24 h and the changes in viscosity, calorific

value and density of the bio-oil samples

were measured. The viscosity and calorific

value of the raw bio-oil were found to be

39 cSt and 22.22 ± 2 MJ/kg, respectively.

The viscosity of the oil was found increased

by 24% and the CV decreased by 7-8% at

the end of accelerated aging test. Effect of

methanol addition to the bio-oil on stability

was also studied by accelerated aging test

and the results are summarized in Table 14.

The increase in the viscosity of 1:20 (v/v)

mixture of the bio-oil and methanol was

found to be 2% as against 24% for the raw

bio-oil.

Preliminary pyrolysis trials using agro-residue pellets were carried out at 450°C

temperature of in the SPRERI pyrolyser.

The moisture content, volatile matter, fixed

carbon and ash contents of the pellets

were 9.66% (wb), 67.3% (db), 31.08% (db)

and 1.62% (db), respectively, with CV of

18.2 MJ/kg. The yields of the bio-char

and bio-oil obtained were 30% and 40%,

respectively. The overall throughput of

the SPRERI pyrolyser was found increased

from 1 kg/h for the powdery material to 4

kg/h for the pelletized biomass. Besides,

blockage problem encountered in feeding

the powdery material due to poor flow-ability was resolved. Further optimization

of the process parameters and detailed

experimentation is in progress.

Development of torrefaction process for selected biomass

The agro-residue pellets of 6 mm diameter

which are commercially available were

selected for the study (Fig. 18). SPRERI

1 kg/h capacity fixed bed type reactor

suitable for powdered biomass was adapted

for torrefaction of the biomass pellets. The

feeding line was suitably modified for semi-continuous mode of feeding so as to avoid

the blockage and repeated poking of the

powdery biomass during the trials. The

effect of selected process temperatures

was studied on the product distribution

and the results are given in Table 15. The

torrefaction of the agro-residue pellets

yielded 85% bio-coal having calorific value

varying between 24 and 25 MJ/kg.

Table 14: Results of the accelerated aging test on vis-cosity of the bio-oil of the sawdust

Raw bio-oil 39.00 48.35 24Bio-oil and methanolblend (1:20) v/v 27.31 27.87 2

Sample Initial(cSt)

Kinematic viscosity

Final(cSt)

Change (%)

Fig. 18: Biomass pellets of 6 mm diameter used for the study

22

Table 15: Results of the torrefaction of the agro-residue pellets

300±10 120 85.8 14.2 22.6 19.5 325±10 120 79.9 20.1 24.0 24.0 350±10 120 73.0 27.0 25.8 21.5

Reaction temperature

(°C)

Total retention time

(min)Bio-coal(solid)

Yield (%)Liquid and gas

Calorific value of bio-coal (MJ/kg)

Average condensation

temperature (°C)

Pyrolysis of leather waste

Pyrolysis study of three different samples

of leather waste namely leather finished

trimmings (LFT), chrome shaving (CS) and

filter pressed sludge (FPS) received from

Central Leather Research Institute was

carried out. The calorific value of FPS was

found very low (5-6 MJ/kg) and therefore,

it was not found suitable for pyrolysis. LFT

were cut into small pieces of approximately

1cm x 1 cm size, while the CS was used

without any pre-treatment. The process of

pyrolysis was carried out at a temperature

of 500±10°C. The yields of each of the

three output streams for the two waste

samples are given in Table 16.

The CVs of the bio-oil were found to

be 27.8 and 28.0 MJ/kg for CS and LFT,

respectively, while the CVs of the bio-char were 20.53 and 23.05 MJ/kg for CS

and LFT, respectively. The results of the

product yield and their CVs and other

important physico-chemical properties

measured in the laboratory suggests that

both the leather wastes are good feedstock

for deriving useful products through thermal

degradation. Bio-oil, however, requires

upgradation for use as a fuel and synthesis

of several fine chemicals. The bio-char can

be used for synthesis of activated carbon

or charcoal and for soil amendment. The

non-condensable gases can be used for meeting the thermal energy requirement of

the process.

Development of a high performance forced draft biomass community cook stove

The performance of the biomass stove is significantly influenced by effectiveness of its thermal insulation. Keeping this in view a few insulation materials were selected and their effectiveness evaluated using a double jacket air insulation type domestic cookstove of 200 mm ID reactor and 40 mm thick air-insulation all around the curved surface. The performance of the stove was first evaluated using oven dried wooden blocks as per the BIS procedure and thereafter by packing vermiculite into the air jacket. The bulk density of vermiculite was 559.4 kg/m3. The mass of the stove increased from 7.15 kg to 10.11 kg i.e. 41.3% due to packing of the vermiculite. Important performance parameters for the stove having air-insulation and vermiculite packing for a fuel consumption rate of 1.5 kg/h are given in Table 17. The thermal efficiency of the stove with vermiculite packing was found 18.5% more than the efficiency of air-insulation stove. Besides, in general, the temperature of the stove surface (around the top end) was found lower by 82°C and the flame temperature higher by 117°C for the vermiculite insulation stove. Evaluation with other insulation materials such as insulate-7 and

expanded perlite is in progress.

Table 16: Product yield for pyrolysis of the leather waste samples

LFT 52±0.3 27±0.5 21±0.2 CS 49±1.0 30±2.0 21±3.0

Feed-stock

Bio-oil yield (% db)

Bio-char yield (% db)

Gas yield (% db)

Efficiency (%) 28.69 34.02 18.58Power rating (kW) 2.13 2.52 18.31

Rate of rise of thewater temperature(oC/min) 1.40 2.70 92.86

Paramenter/ Type of insulation

Air insulation

Vermiculite insulation

Increase (%)

Table 17: Average performance of air and vermiculite insulation stoves

23

Training and DemonstrationsSPRERI scientists worked as resource personnel in training programmes organized by other organizations.

Date Topic of lecture Participants/training programme

Training and Awareness Creation

Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Integrated Rural Energy Development, Amrol, Dist. Anand

23.07.2014 SPRERITECH efficient biomass Stakeholders of biomass

cook stove cooking stoves in Gujarat

state

19.12.2014 Lecture-cum-demonstration on SPRERI ITI students

improved biomass cook stoves

22.01.2015 Lecture on SPRERI improved biomass ITI students

cook stoves for “unnat chulha abhiyan”

07.02.2015 Biomass cook stove particularly SPRERI Environment engineering design students

SPV system for power supply to meet

domestic and industrial/commercial

requirements

12.02.2015 Biomass cook stove and biomass based Mechanical engineering

power generation students

National Dairy Development Board, Anand

12.08.2014 Bioconversion technologies and visit to Environmental and social

the SPRERI anaerobic filter working at management under NDP-I

Vidya Dairy for the designated environ

mental and social officers of

various End Implementing

Agencies

19.11.2014 Applications of bio-energy in dairy Energy conservation and

industry management with focus

on renewable energy

08.01.2015 An overview of renewable energy Environmental and social

technologies in dairy sector (E&S) training programme

(solar and bio-conversion) for officials from various

Milk Unions of states

09.04.2015 Bioconversion technologies for dairy

sector

Charotar University of Science & Technology, Changa, Dist. Anand

11.11.2014 Renewable energy technologies for Students of class XI

rural applications and their effect on and XII standards

global warming

24

An awareness programme each was

organized in Chillakota and Dageria

villages of Dahod districts on 4th and

6th June, respectively. RE technologies

such as improved biomass cookstoves,

portable solar lights, enhancement of

natural day light in the houses and low

water requirement biogas plant were

included in the programme. About 50

people participated in the programme at

Chillakota (Fig. 19) while about 40 people

participated in the programme at Dageria

(Fig. 20). The participants included a

large number of women. Salient features,

method of operation and maintenance,

important benefits etc. were explained to

the participants. Many participants evinced

keen interest in the RE devices.

Demonstration and training programmes

for improved biomass cookstoves and solar

light were organized in Simal Faliya and

Raysingpura villages in Chhota Udaipur

districts on October 6-7, 2014. About 60

users took part in each of the programmes

and actively interacted with SPRERI

personnel (Fig. 21).

A three day training programme on solar

photovoltaic lighting systems, which have

been set-up in the selected villages under

the DST core project, was organized during

8th –10th September at SPRERI. Twenty

skilled/practicing young men from Chillakota

and Dageria villages participated in the

programme (Fig. 21). The manufacturer

of the PV lighting system, M/s Sun Energy,

GIDC, Vitthal Udyognagar, extended

technical support for the training. During

the programme the participants were given

hands on training in repair and maintenances

Fig. 19: Awareness programme for various RE gadgets at Chillakota village of Dahod district

Fig. 20: Training programme for improved cook stove at Simal Faliya village of Chhota Udaipur district

Fig. 21: Training programme on the solar photovoltaic lighting system

25

of solar lanterns, solar home light units and

solar power packs and also lessons about

the theoretical concepts of these systems.

Four of the trained youths at SPRERI have

started providing repair services for the

solar lighting systems in their respective

villages. Minor spare parts like fuses,

switches etc. were stocked in small quantity

with those youths to provide prompt service

to the villagers right in their villages.

Business MeetA Business Meet on “Solar drying

technologies for food processing industries”

was organized at SPRERI on March 31, 2015.

Sixty participants including Shri Anand

Narvane, Scientist, MNRE, manufacturers

of the solar air heating/drying equipment

and professionals belonging to various

user industries, academic institutions

and development organizations attended

the Meet (Fig. 22). Shri Anand Narvane

in his opening remarks said that thermal

applications of solar energy is the focus of

MNRE for the current year and appealed

to user industries to take initiative for the

same.

Dr. V. Siva Reddy, Pr. Scientist and In-charge of RTC made a presentation on

overall status of solar air heating and drying

technology. Two prominent solar drying

system manufacturer (M/s Steel Hacks

Industries, Anand and M/s NRG Technology,

Vadodara) also made presentations on solar

drying technology and the systems put up

at various locations in the country. All the

lectures were followed by useful discussion.

A large number of queries were raised

by the user industries. Mr. R.P. Gopal, a

representative of NABARD observed that

it is important to prepare specifications

and guidelines for important solar drying

systems. Commercial bank could use these

guidelines to financing such systems. All the

participants were of the opinion that MNRE

should formulate and announce a suitable

policy for promotion of solar air heating/

drying systems which may include capital

subsidy and/or liberal interest subsidy.

Besides, a standard for solar air heating

systems is needed to be prepared at the

earliest. In the afternoon, all the participants

were taken around various solar air heating

and drying systems installed at SPRERI as

well as solar-biogas thermal energy based

refrigeration facility for storage of nine ton

of horticulture produce, which has been

set up by SPRERI at AAU, Anand campus.

Proceedings of the Business Meet were

forwarded to MNRE for consideration and

suitable necessary action.

Open HouseThe seventh “Open House” was organized

at SPRERI on January 30 - 31. The objective

of the Open House was to create awareness

among citizens, particularly the youth,

about the importance and usefulness of

RE technologies in the present scenario

of energy crisis and impact of the climate

change the world over. Dr. M. L. Gaur,

Dean & Principal, College of Agricultural

Engineering & Technology, AAU, Godhra,

inaugurated the Open House. Dr. Gaur

advised the students to interact with the

scientists and technical personnel of SPRERI

and representatives of the manufacturers

and develop a fairly good understanding

Fig. 22: A view of the technical session of the Business Meet

26

about various RE technologies on the

display. He also advised the youth to try

to adopt suitable RE technologies at their

homes/schools and help fight the energy

crisis and climate change. Approximately

3500 participants, mostly students and

their teachers from science, engineering,

management and other disciplines belonging

to different institutions spread all over

Gujarat participated in the Open House.

Visitors also included more than 300

farmers from different villages. Scientists

and technical staff of SPRERI explained

various technologies to the visitors and also

provided clarifications to their queries (Fig.

23).

Besides SPRERI, M/s S. P. Renewable

Energy, M/s Arihant Distributors, M/s

Super Nova, and M/s Nilkanth Industries

also displayed their RE gadgets in the

Open House. These were also on sale

to the interested visitors. Forty visitors

purchased one unit each of BIS compliant

“SPRERITECH biomass cook stove”

from M/s Nilkanth Industries, Vitthal

Udyognagar, who had put-up their stall

in the “Open House”. SPRERI provided

a special incentive of 25% on each of the

stove sold during the Open House.

Hari Om Ashram Prerit Young Scientist Award Dr. Pravakar Mohanty, Scientist–C,

Science and Engineering Research Board,

Department of Science & Technology,

New Delhi has been selected for the Hari

Om Ashram Prerit Award for Research

in the area of renewable energy for

the period 2011-2014 for his work on

“Thermocatalytic conversion of ligno (hemi)

cellulosic biomass to green fuels” carried

out at IIT Delhi.

Consultancy• A large number of solar and eclectic

gadgets available at GEDA’s Training

Centre at Amrol, Dist. Anand were

tested and the report was submitted to

GEDA. The gadgets tested included 340

PV modules, 537 electric luminaries, 10

solar lanterns and 21 DC fans.

• Selected renewable energy devices were

fabricated/constructed, commissioned

and demonstrated at GEDA Training

Centre, Amrol. The RE devices set-up at the Centre included 3 different

models of SPRERI natural draft improved

biomass cook stoves, PV integrated solar

tent dryer and SPRERI biogas plant for

kitchen and dining hall waste and low

water requirement biogas plant for cattle

dung.

• Fifty units of ceramic-lined and 45 units

of air insulation type SPRERI domestic

improved biomass cookstoves, 5 units of

dhaba size SPRERI biomass cookstoves

Fig. 23: Views of the farmers from tribal villages and students visiting the “Open House”

27

and 5 units of solar tent dryer were fabricated and supplied to Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Centre of AICRP on EAAI for ORP trials.

• Third party inspection of unused equipment of biogas plant available at Sursagar Dairy compound, Vadhwan, Dist. Surendra Nagar was carried out and the report submitted to the Gujarat State Rural Development Corporation, Gandhinagar.

• Field evaluation of pre-fabricated biogas plant of M/s Akshar Technology, Gondal was pursued and the report is under preparation.

• A feasibility study for anaerobic digestion of effluent samples received from M/s Transpek-Silox Industry Private Ltd., Vadodara is being pursued.

Memorandum of UnderstandingMoU were signed between SPRERI and

various parties:

Name and address of the party

M/s Varmora,Plastech Pvt Ltd.,Ahmedabad

M/s ARTANA, Vadodara

M/s SP Eco Fuels Pvt. Ltd., Vadodara

Aravali Public School, Jhirka Haryana

Purpose

Development of floating dome type prefabricated biogas plants of 2 and 3 m3/d biogas generation

Collaboration for bio-waste management and renewable energysolutions

Setting up water hyacinth based biogas plant of SPRERI design at their complex

Supply of technology for generating biogas from kitchen waste

Technology Evaluation and TransferRegional Test CentreA Regional Test Centre (RTC) for solar thermal devices has been supported by MNRE, New Delhi, GoI and approved by the BIS since 2000. Mr. Sunil Mukul, Lead Assessor and Mr. Ramakrishnan, Technical Assessor from NABL completed re-assessment of our laboratory on July 12-13, 2014. Four minor non-conformities were observed during the re-assessment. Necessary action was taken and the compliance report submitted to NABL on August 2. NABL has accredited our RTC upto September 11, 2016. Mr. G.M. Bakshi, BIS auditor completed renewal audit of our laboratory on August 19. Only one minor non-conformity was observed during the renewal audit. Necessary action was taken and the compliance report was submitted to BIS on the same day. BIS approval has been renewed upto August 15, 2017.

In keeping with the instructions received from MNRE, inspection of three manufacturers of ETC based solar water heating systems for empanelment with MNRE was completed

and a consolidated report was submitted to MNRE. Information on solar thermal devices received for testing and the devices for which testing was completed during the year is summarized in Table 18. The Test Centre also provided technical back-up support to industries in maintaining quality standards in manufacturing solar thermal devices.

Solar flat plate collectors • BIS 3 5• Manufacturer 6 8

ETC based solar hot water systems 16 31

Solar concentrating cooker • SK14 1 0

Solar box cooker • BIS 2 3• Manufacturer 3 1Total 31 48

DevicesReceived

for testing (Units)

Testingcompleted(Units)*

* Includes a few devices which had been received during the previous year

Table 18: Statement of the solar thermal devices received and tested during the year

28

Technology Evaluation and Monitoring Performance evaluation of biomass cook stoves

Three biomass cook stoves received from

National Innovation Foundation, Ahmedabad

were tested using rice husk as fuel and their

performance report submitted to the NIF.

Testing of bulk milk chiller

Solar Energy Division carried out on-site

testing of a 1000 L capacity bulk milk chiller

of M/s Krishna Allied Industries Pvt. Ltd,

Halol, Gujarat, during Oct.-Nov. The test

report included results of cooling test (2

milking and 4 milking), thermal insulation test

and hot water generator performance.

User level survey of ceramic linear based improved biomass cookstove in tribal villages

One unit each of the SPRERI ceramic lined

biomass cook stove had been set–up in more

than 200 tribal households of selected villages

during 2011-12 under a project sponsored by

Department of Science and Technology, GoI

(Fig. 24 (a)). Shallow ‘C’ type Chulhas having

low efficiency of around 10-12% and high

smoke emissions were used for cooking in

all the houses (Fig. 24 (b)). Performance data

of all those stoves was monitored by visiting

each of the houses once every month and

feedback of all the users was collected. The

results of the study are summarized below:

• All the beneficiaries were using traditional

chulhas which emitted a lot of smoke. The

heat utilization efficiency for such chulhas,

generally, varied between 8 and 12%.

• Villagers used fuel wood, crop residues

and dung cakes as fuel.

• The operation of the improved biomass

cook stoves was found easy.

• The fuel consumption, in general, was

reduced by 20-30% compared to the fuel

consumption for the traditional chulhas.

• Average time periods for collection and

preparation of the fuel and various cooking

activities reduced from 2.31 h/d to 1.78 h/d

and 3.22 h/d to 2.46 h/d, respectively.

• About 70% users reported negligible or

significantly lower smoke problem and

about 30% users reported some smoke

problem in the improved biomass cook

stoves.

• The time saved in collection and preparation

of the fuel and cleaning of the utensils and

the kitchen by women and young girls was,

in general, used in income generation or

other domestic activities.

An important feedback was that the ceramic

lined cook stove was too heavy (mass ≈ 14

kg) and it did not have provision for use of long

fuel wood sticks for continuous operation of

the stove. The important feedback has been

taken care of by developing air-insulation

type top feeding and side feeding improved

biomass stove designs.

Fig. 24(a): Ceramic lined improved biomass cook stove

Fig. 24(b): Traditional chulha

29

Renewable Energy Intervention for Rural Development (DST core grant)

The aim of the project is to provide RE support

in underdeveloped tribal areas to reduce

drudgery and improve the quality of life of

the rural people living in selected village(s).

The project is under operation in Chillakota,

Chediya and Dageria villages in Dahod

district since May 2010 and Simal Faliya

and Raysingpura villages in Chhota Udaipur

districts since December, 2011. So far, 436

improved biomass cook stoves, 275 solar

lanterns, 39 low water requirement biogas

plants, 11 dhaba size improved biomass cook

stoves, a community cook stove, 20 box solar

cookers and a solar water heater have been

set-up in the selected villages. Besides, a

simple, low cost, easy to practice innovative

method for illuminating the tribal houses

with abundance of natural sunlight during

day time was developed and successfully

demonstrated in three villages of Chhota

Udepura and Dahod districts.

During the year, one hundred units of the

air-insulation stoves were fabricated and

one unit each was set up in 100 selected

households in a participatory mode in

Chillakota and Dageria villages (Fig. 25). The

feedback collected from the users of the air-insulation top feeding biomass cook-stove

revealed that the average time period spent

for collection and preparation of the fuel and

various cooking activities reduced by 20-24% and the fuel consumption reduced by

20-30%. The results of monitoring over a

period of more than six months revealed that

the stove is easy to handle (shifting/moving)

due to much lower mass (app. 8.0 kg) and that

all the users were fully satisfied with their

stoves. However, many women expressed

their preference for a stove that burns long fuel wood-sticks for continuous operation. Such a stove should not require periodic recharging of the fuel.

In keeping with the requirements of the target

group, another design of the air-insulation

top-cum-side feeding domestic biomass

cook stove was developed. It weighed 8.5

kg and could be operated either in batch or

continuous mode of operation and met all the

BIS parameters. One unit each of the side-feeding stove was set-up in selected 50

households of Chillakota, Dageria and Simal

Faliya villages during 2014 (Fig. 26).

The feedback collected in respect of a few

“side-feeding stoves” set-up in the village

Simal Faliya revealed that its performance

was almost same as the performance of the

top-feeding stove and long wood sticks as

well as small wood pieces were used as fuel.

Two farmers, who have a biogas plant and

the side feeding improved biomass cook-stove, have abandoned their traditional “C”

type chullas. Many more farmers have shown

interest in the side feeding air-insulation

improved biomass cook stove. The main

advantage of side feeding improved biomass

cook stove was that cutting of the fuel wood in

small pieces is not required. Preliminary data Fig. 25: Top-feeding air insulation biomass cook stove in use in a house of Chillakota village

Fig. 26: Side-feeding air insulated biomass cook stove in use rural kitchens

30

on the effect of emissions on concentrations of CO

2, CO and SPM in the indoor air of the

rural kitchens, which used different types of fuels/combustion devices, were collected and are summarized in Table 19. It will be seen that concentrations of CO and SPM was around 45% lower for the SPRERI air-insulation improved biomass cook stove than the common “C” type stove. Fifty solar home lighting systems were procured and one unit each was set-up in 50 different households in Chilakota, Dageria, Raysingpura and Simalfaliya villages (Fig. 27). Each system, in general, consisted of a PV panel, a battery bank and two LED lamps. All the systems were found working satisfactorily. Many more farmers have shown interest in the solar home lighting system. Almost all the houses in the selected tribal villages have very

low indoor natural light. A simple technique has been selected to improve indoor lighting in the selected houses. The technique involves replacing 2-4 opaque clay tiles of the roof with glass tiles of the same size (395 x 230 mm), shape and configuration but having 67% light transmittance (Fig. 28). Average thickness and mass of the clay tiles are 20 mm and 1.90 kg and that of the glass tiles are 25 mm and 2.91 kg. The base data were first collected for each of the selected 20 houses and then 2 to 4 glass tiles were replaced in each of those houses in place of the existing clay tiles. This system altogether changed the lives of the occupants, particularly women and the children. The light intensity during the day (9:00 to 16:00 hours), which was less than 4 lux, increased upto 400 times i e. 200 to 1300 lux (Fig. 29).

*Figures in the brackets are the average concentrations over a time period of 8 hours

CO2 (ppm) 544.1 605.9 476.7 453.2 486.8

(418.4)* (405.6) (415.4)CO (ppm) 4.19 40.63 2.21 2.33 2.70 (2.14) (1.38) (1.94) SPM (mg/Nm3) 2.50 – 2.85 4.33 0.94 – 1.56 0.88 - 1.42 0.39 - 0.54 (0.3) (0.16) (0.16) (0.13)

PollutantsFuel wood Dung cake Top feeding Side feeding

SPRERI air-insulated stove (fuel wood)

Existing “C” type stove Biogasstove

Table 19: Concentrations of CO2, CO and SPM in the indoor air during cooking period for the cooking devices used in the selected rural house-holds

Fig. 27: Solar light is set up in Simal Faliya village

Fig. 28: Glass roof tiles and interior view of the house in Dageria village after two roof clay tiles were replaced with the glass tiles

31

Feedback collected from the houses where

the glass roof tiles had been retrofitted

revealed that use of the kerosene lamp/

electricity/solar lantern was not required

during the day time for household activities.

Cleaning of the food grains and other

household activities were now performed

within the house instead of outside in the

hot sun. The women reported that they

feel more comfortable with the natural light

compared to the kerosene lamp primarily

because of much lower illumination and

very high emissions. All the beneficiaries,

particularly, women were very happy and felt

more comfortable performing their routine

jobs. They are sharing/disseminating the

information with their neighbors/relatives

from other villages. Many more farmers are

interested in having the same type of glass

roof tiles in neighboring villages around.

Technology Transfer“SPRERITECH portable air-insulation top-feeding and side-feeding biomass cook-stoves” technology had been transferred to

M/s Nilkanth Industries, Vitthal Udyognagar.

The commercial units of both the stove

designs (designated as No. 170-NDT-L and

No. 190-NDS-L, Fig. 30), manufactured

by the firm were evaluated at SPRERI and

subsequently tested at the MNRE approved

test centre located at MPUAT Udaipur. The

stoves of both the designs satisfied the BIS

prescribed norms in respect of the thermal

efficiency, power ratings, emissions, etc and

have since been approved by the MNRE,

GoI for sale throughout the country.

Manufacturing and marketing rights of

the technology “SPRERITECH improved

biomass cook stove (natural draft)” were

transferred to a third firm i.e. M/s Tanu

Solutions Pvt. Ltd, Anand for a period of

five years on non-exclusive basis.

Model No. 170-NDT-L; top feeding

Model No. 190-NDS-L; side feeding

Fig. 30: Commercial units of air-insulation biomass cookstoves

Patent Filed Patent entitled “Enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass” was filed during the year.

Reference: Indian Patent application No.

573/MUM/2015 dated February 20, 2015

Fig. 29: Effect of clay and glass roof tiles on the light intensity inside the selected home

Time

32

1. Er. Gokul Raj, Er. Farha Tinwala and

Dr. V. Siva Reddy underwent a training

programme on Ansys Fluent, CFX &

Mechanical” organized by M/s Innovent

Engineering Solutions Pvt. Ltd.,

Bangalore, January 19-23, 2015.

2. Er. Farha Tinwala participated in

a training session on Advanced

Instrumental Method of Analysis held

at Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad,

February 9-13, 2015.

3. Er. A. Gokul Raj participated in a

training programme “Laboratory quality

management system and internal audit

as per ISO/IEC–17025 at National

Institute of Training in Standardization

(NITS), Noida during August 11–14,

2014.

Human Resource Development

Participation in Meetings, Seminars and Conferences

1. Solar Vaccine Refrigerator’s Technical

Assessment meeting, Ministry of Health and

Family Welfare-Lecture title “Solar Vaccine

Refrigerators”

2. Annual Day Function of College of

Agricultural Engineering and Technology,

Anand Agricultural University-Chief Guest

and addressed the participants

3. 9th National Conference on Indian Energy

Sector “Synergy with Energy”, Ahmedabad

Management Association

- Lecture title “Role of Solar Energy to

Enhance Agriculture Production”

4. Meeting of Expenditure Finance Committee

(EFC) of Engineering Division, ICAR

5. Advisory Committee Meeting of the

National Fund project “Solar-hybrid

refrigeration cool chamber facility”, CIAE

6. National Workshop on “Eco-Friendly

Structural Innovations for Sustainable

Development”, NIT- Lecture title “Solar

thermal power generation”

7. Interactive meet on Solar Thermal &

Concentrated Solar Technologies, Mahatma

Gandhi Institute for Integrated Rural Energy

Planning & Development

- Lecture title “Development of solar dryer

and tracking system”

April 2, 2014

New Delhi

April 22, 2014

Godhra

May 23-24,

2014

Ahmedabad

June 9, 2014

New Delhi

June 20, 2014

Bhopal

July 18-19,

2014

Warangal

July 25, 2014

Amrol (Anand)

Dr. V. Siva Reddy

Dr. M. Shyam

Dr. V. Siva Reddy

Dr. M. Shyam

Dr. M. Shyam

Dr. V. Siva Reddy

Er. A. Gokul Raj

Sr.No. Details of the programme Date and place Scientist

33

8. “Conclave on R & D in New and

Renewable Energy”, MNRE

9. “Workshop on Energy Efficiency

for MSME – Dairy Cluster”, CII

10. NBMMP program meeting

at Gujarat Agro Industries

Corporation, MNRE

11. 23rd meeting of the ICAR Regional

Committee (VI) at AAU.-

Made a presentation on solar,

biogas cold storage facility

12. Brainstorming Session

on “Renewable Fuels for

Engine Power (Stationery &

Automobile)”, National Academy

of Agricultural Sciences

- Presentation on “Renewable

fuels for engine power (stationary

and automobile)”

- Presentation on “Liquid fuel

production (bio-oil, ethanol, bio-diesel)”

13. Scientist Selection Committee

Meeting of Electrical Research &

Development Association (ERDA)

- External Expert

14. National Seminar on Algae

for Sustainable Agricultural

Production, TNAU

- Presentation on “Biomass and

lipid accumulation of microalgae

grown on dairy wastewater as a

possible feedstock for biodiesel”

15. 18th Workshop of All India Co-ordination Research Project of

Renewable Energy Source,

GBPUAT

16. Meeting for evaluation of the

Core Subject presentation of

Ph.D students of GTU, CSIR-CSMCRI,

August 5, 2014

New Delhi

August 6, 2014

Ahmedabad

August 21, 2014

Gandhinagar

September 12,

2014 Anand

September

15-16, 2014

New Delhi

New Delhi

September 22,

2014 Vadodara

September 29-30,

2014 Madurai

October 29, 2014 to

November 1, 2014

Pantnagar

November 20, 2014

Bhavnagar

Dr. A.K. Kurchania

and Er. Velmurugan

Er. Samir Vahora

Dr. A.K. Kurchania

Dr. M. Shyam

Dr. M. Shyam

Dr. Pravakar Mohanty

Dr. M. Shyam

Dr. G. Mahendraperumal

Dr. M. Shyam, Dr. A.K.

Kurchania, Dr. V. Siva Reddy,

Dr. Pravakar Mohanty, Er. B.

Velmurugan, Er. Samir Vahora

and Er. Jignesh P. Makwana

Dr. M. Shyam

Sr.No. Details of the programme Date and place Scientist

34

17. International Conference on

Environmental and Energy

(ICEE-2014), Jawaharlal Nehru

Technological University,

- Presentation on “Natural

Deep Eutectic Solvent Mediated

Pretreatment of Rice straw:

Bioanalytical Characterization

of Lignin Extract and Enzymatic

Hydrolysis of Pretreated Biomass

Residue”

18. 29th Meeting of the Academic Council

of Sardarkrusinagar Dantiwada

Agricultural University

19. Expert Committee Meeting, DST,

Govt. of India. Presented the

proposal for core grant – 2nd phase

20. Agricultural Engineering & AIT Sub-Committee meeting of AAU

21. Annual Review Meeting of National

Agricultural Science Fund Projects

(ICAR)

22. 2nd Workshop on “Dehydration of

Food and Agricultural Products:

Principles, Practices and Prospects”,

National Institute of Food Technology

Entrepreneurship and Management

- Lecture title “Design and

development of PV module

integrated forced convection solar

drying system for standalone

operation”

23. Faculty Selection Committee Meeting,

Junagadh Agricultural University –

Expert member

24. Research Advisory Committee

Meeting of CIAE - Member

25. 15th Meeting of Non-conventional

Energy Sources Sectional Committee

MED 04, BIS

26. RTC’s Principal Investigators

meeting, MNRE

December 15-17,

2014 Hyderabad

January 15, 2015

Sardarkrushinagar

January 27, 2015

New Delhi

February 27, 2015

Anand

February 20, 2015

New Delhi

February 25-27,

2015 Sonepat

March 7, 2015

Junagadh

March 23-24, 2015

Bhopal

March 23, 2015

New Delhi

March 24, 2015

New Delhi

Dr. Adepu Kiran

Kumar

Dr. M. Shyam

Dr. M. Shyam and

Er. Samir Vahora

Dr. A.K. Kurchania

Dr. M. Shyam

Dr. V. Siva Reddy

Dr. M. Shyam

Dr. M. Shyam

Dr. V. Siva Reddy

Dr. V. Siva Reddy

Sr.No. Details of the programme Date and place Scientist

35

1. Asim K Joshi, Pravakar Mohanty and

Farha Tinwala. 2014 “Bio-oil Production,

processing and utilization”, Technical

Bulletin No: CIAE/RES/2014, CIAE,

Bhopal, October.

2. Gokul Raj A, Siva Reddy V, Avipsa

Dey. 2014 “A low-cost indigenous

solar tracker”, Akshay Urja, 8(3): 32-35,

December.

3. Mahendraperumal Guruvaiah, Deval

Shah, Ekta Shah. 2014 “Biomass and lipid

accumulation of microalgae grown on

dairy wastewater as a possible feedstock

for biodiesel production”, International

Journal of Science and Research, 2: 909-913, December.

4. Madhuri Narra, Jisha P James, Velmurugan

Balasubramanian. 2015 “Simultaneous

saccharification and fermentation of

delignified lignocellulosic biomass at

high solid loadings by a newly isolated

thermotolerant Kluyveromyces sp.

for ethanol production”, Bioresource

Technology, 179: 331-338, January.

5. J.P. Makwana, Asim Kumar Joshi, Gaurav

Athawale, Dharminder Singh and Pra-

vakar Mohanty. 2015 “Air gasification of

rice husk in bubbling fluidized bed re-

actor with bed heating by convention-

al charcoal”. Bioresource Technology,

178: 45-52, February.

6. Siva Reddy V, Kumar S, Raj AG, Chawada

T. 2015 “Solar refrigeration technology

for on-farm transient storage”. Cooling

India, 10 (7): 54-56, February.

7. Samir Vahora, S.N. Singh, M. Shyam and

S. Mohana. 2015 “Tribals in Gujarat use

improved biomass cook stove”, Akshay

Urja, 8(4): 38-41, February.

8. Chapla DK, Bhumi JP, Lui ZL, Cotta MA,

Kumar AK, 2015 “Enhanced cellulosic

ethanol production from mild-alkali

pretreated rice straw in SSF using

Clavispora” NRRL Y-50464. Journal of

Biobased Biomaterials and Bioenergy (in

press).

9. Madhuri Narra, Velmurugan Balasubra-

manian, Jisha P James, 2015 “Comparison

between separate hydrolysis and fermen-

tation and simultaneous saccharification

and fermentation using dilute acid pre-

treated lignocellulosic biomass”. Biomass

and Biofuels (in press).

10. Madhuri Narra, Velmurugan Balasubrama-

nian. 2015 “Utilization of solid and liquid

waste generated during ethanol fermen-

tation process for production of gaseous

fuel through anaerobic digestion – A zero

waste approach”, Bioresource Technol-

ogy, 180: 376-380, February.

11. Kumar AK, Bhumika SP. 2015 “Cellulose-degrading enzymes from Aspergillus

terreus D34 and enzymatic saccharification

of mild-alkali and dilute-acid pretreated

lignocellulosic biomass residues”,

Bioresources and Bioprocessing, 2: 1-7,

February.

12. Kumar AK, Mohanty P, Bhumika SP. 2015

“Natural deep eutectic solvent mediated

pretreatment of ricestraw: Bioanalytical

characterization of lignin extract and

enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated

biomass residue:, Environmental Science

and Pollution Research (doi: 10.1007/

s11356-015-4780-4), May (in press).

13. F. Tinwala, P. Mohanty, S. Parmar, A.

Patel and K. K. Pant. 2015 “Intermediate

pyrolysis of agro-industrial biomasses

in bench-scale pyrolyser: Product yields

and its characterization”. Bioresource

Technology, 188: 258-264, July.

Papers Published

36

Solar Energy

“Development of solar-hybrid refrigeration technology for on-farm (or in production catchment) safe transient storage of horticultural produce” (NASF-ICAR), Investigators: V. Siva Reddy,

A. Gokul Raj, Samir Vahora and M Shyam (SP-2013-ST-36)

“Efficiency enhancement of scheffler dish solar concentrating technology” (SERI-DST), Investigators: V. Siva Reddy and A. Gokul Raj

(SP-2013- ST-37)

“Design, development and performance evaluation of dual axis sun tracker” (ICAR-AICRP),

Investigators: A. Gokul Raj and V. Siva Reddy

(SP-2013-ST-38)

“Optimization of design parameters of grid independent hybrid solar/biogas refrigeration system for transient storage of horticultural produce” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: Asim K. Joshi,

A. Gokul Raj and Sampath Kumar (SP-2013-

ST-39)

“Carry out energy audit and integration of solar concentrator based process heat system in a dairy industry” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: A.

Gokul Raj and V. Siva Reddy (SP-2012-EM-1)

“Regional Test Centre for Solar Thermal Devices” (MNRE), Investigators: A. Gokul Raj, Akash

Modh and V. Siva Reddy

Bio-Conversion

“Conversion of crop residues into ethanol and methane for use as transport fuels”, Investigators:

Madhuri Narra and B.Velmurugan (SP-2009-AT-30)

“Development of an economically viable process technology for detoxification of Jatropha de-oiled cake and simultaneous fuel gas production” (DST, GOI),

Investigators: Madhuri Narra, B.Velmurugan

and Mahendraperumal (SP-2011-AT-35)

“Biochemical engineering of microalgae for enhanced lipid accumulation” (ICAR-AICRP),

Investigators: Mahendra Perumal and Madhuri

Narra (SP-2012-AT-37)

“Biomass and lipid accumulation of microalgae grown on distillery/diary wastewater as a possible feedstock for biodiesel” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators:

Mahendraperumal and Madhuri Narra (SP-2012-AT-38)

“Use of mutagenesis to improve the economics of cellulase production by an in-house isolate” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: Kiran Kumar and

Mahendraperumal (SP-2012-AT-39)

“Anaerobic co-digestion of dairy waste scum with kitchen waste for biogas production” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: B.Velmurugan and

Madhuri Narra (SP-2012-AT-40)

“Development and evaluation of laboratory scale pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system for biogas up gradation and carbon dioxide recovery” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: B. Velmurugan and

Samir Vahora (SP-2013-AT-41)

“Feasibility studies on bio-hydrogen production from agro-industrial wastes” (ICAR-AICRP),

Investigators: B. Velmurugan and Madhuri

Narra (SP-2013-AT-42)

“Identification of lignocellulosic degrading enzymes from the in-house isolate Aspergillus terreus”, Investigator: Kiran Kumar (SP-2014-AT-43)

“Integrated research and development of biogas off-grid power solution for aquatic feed by high rate biomethanation using effective mixing technology” (MNRE, GoI), Investigators: B.Velmurugan

and Madhuri Narra (SP-2014-AT-44)

“Bioremediation of dairy wastewater by microalgae”(GUJCOST),Investigators:Mahendraperumal

and Madhuri Narra (SP-2014-AT-45)

Research Projects Persued

37

“Production of economically viable and low cost cellulases using cheaper lignocellulosic biomass or by co-culturing method” (ICAR-AICRP),

Investigators: Madhuri Narra and Kiran Kumar

(SP-2014-AT-46)

“Performance evaluation MLT on development of humic acid and fulvic acid extraction pilot plant from biogas spent slurry to be used for use in crop production” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators:

Madhuri Narra, A.K. Kurchania and S.P. Singh

(SP-2014-AT-47)

“Evaluation of biomethanation potential of dairy effluent scum from dairy industries in Gujarat” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: B. Velmurugan,

Madhuri Narra and A.K. Kurchania (SP-2014-AT-48)

“Development and evaluation of SPRERI odourless technology for biomethanation of water hyacinth” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: B. Velmurugan,

S.P. Singh and Jignesh Makwana (SP-2014-AT-49)

“Development of a semi fed-batch method for high-solids biomass saccharification for cellulosic ethanol production” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators:

Kiran Kumar and Madhuri Narra (SP-2014-AT-50)

“Studies on development of next generation green solvent for cellulosic biomass pretreatment” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: Kiran Kumar and

Prabhakar Mohanty (SP-2014-AT-51)

Thermo-Chemical Conversion

“Development of a technology for treatment of wastewater from producer gas wet scrubbing unit for reuse and final disposal” (ICAR-AICRP),

Investigators: Asim K. Joshi, Farha Tinwala

and Devendra Pareek (SP-2010-PG-52)

“Adaption of SPRERI fluidized bed gasifier for rice husk fuel” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators:

Jignesh Makwana and Asim K. Joshi (SP-2013-PG-54)

“Development of a high performance domestic cook stove with provisions for smooth and continuous

operation with fuel wood sticks” (ICAR-AICRP),

Investigators: Jignesh Makwana and Asim K.

Joshi (SP-2013-PG-55.)

“Development of a vapour condensing system for SPRERI vacuum pyrolysis unit and performance evaluation of the integrated system including stability studies of the bio-oil produced” (ICAR-AICRP),

Investigators: Farha Tinwala and Asim Joshi

(SP-2013-PG-56)

“Tar contents reduction of the producer gas from SPRERI fluidized bed gasifier by catalytic cracking and its thermal application in a selected industry” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: Jignesh

Makwana and Pravakar Mohanty (SP-2014-PG-57)

“Automation of operational systems associated with biomass combustor for ease of operation and maintenance at user level” (ICAR-AICRP),

Investigators: Jignesh Makwana, Samir

Vahora and P Mohanty (SP-2014-PG-58)

“Development of a forced draft community cook stove using mixed fuel wood and biomass densified fuels” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: Asim K. Joshi,

Jignesh Makwana and Samir Vahora (SP-2014-PG-59)

“Process intensification of SPRERI pyrolysis unit for adaptation with agro residue fuel pellets” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: Farha Tinwala and

Pravakar Mohanty (SP-2014-PG-60)

“Development of torrefaction process for selected biomass and performance evaluation of the cookstoves with torrefied fuels” (ICAR-AICRP),

Investigators: Farha Tinwala and Jignesh

Makwana (SP-2014-PG-61)

Technology Transfer

“DST Core project on Renewable Energy Intervention for Rural Development” (DST, GoI), Investigators:

Samir Vahora and Jignesh Makwana (SP-2010-TT-1)

“ORP of SPRERI design improved and upgraded system of 10-16 kg/h capacity biomass combustor based hot air generator and drying system of 250 kg/

38

batch capacity for high value fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators:

Samir Vahora, and Jignesh Makwana (SP-2011-TT-3)

“Field performance analysis of family size solid-state biogas plants set up in Anand and Kheda districts of Gujarat” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: Samir

Vahora, (SP-2013-TT-4)

“Set-up demonstration biogas plant of 20-100 m3 capacity cattle dung based PAU design modified Janta fixed dome type biogas plants in gaushala/farmer’s field for power/thermal application” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: Samir Vahora and

Hitesh Prajapati (SP-2013-TT-5)

“User level survey of ceramic linear based improved biomass cookstove in tribal villages” (ICAR-AICRP).

Investigators: Samir Vahora, and Jignesh

Makwana (SP-2013-TT-6)

“Operational Research Demonstrations of SPRERI improved biomass cookstove (air insulation)”

(ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: Samir Vahora

(SP-2013-TT-7)

“Operational research demonstrations and field performance analysis of dhaba size forced/natural draft improved biomass cook stove” (ICAR-AICRP),

Investigators: Samir Vahora and Jignesh

Makwana (SP-2014-TT-8)

“ORP on SPRERI single axis sun tracker” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: Gokul Raj and Samir

Vahora (SP-2014-TT-9)

“ORP on photovoltaic module integrated solar forced convection drying system” (ICAR-AICRP),

Investigators: Asim Joshi and Samir Vahora

(SP-2014-TT-10)

“Energy auditing of the rural households in Gujarat and scope for RE for cooking and illumination” (ICAR-AICRP), Investigators: Samir Vahora,

A.K.Kurchania and Hitesh Prajapati (SP-2014-EM-2)

1. Dr. G.V. Gogari, Asstt. General Manager (CD), Sumul Dairy, Surat visited SPRERI on April 18, 2014.

2. Dr. K. Srinivasa Murthy, Director & Head, Gujarat Knowledge Applications and Facilitation Centre, CII, Ahmedabad along with his colleagues visited SPRERI on May 2, 2014.

3. Shri J.N. Karamchetti, Power & Energy Division, Engineering Staff College of India, Hyderabad visited SPRERI on May 8, 2014.

4. Dr. C.S. Thomas, Head, Dairy Farm Services, NDDB visited SPRERI on June 10, 2014.

5. Shri Sanjeeb Tripathy, President- Technology & Product Development, M/s Kirti Solar Limited, Kolakata visited SPRERI on June 16, 2014.

6. Prof. P.K. Srivastava, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering & Post

Harvest Technology, Central Agricultural University, Ranipore and Dr. Murthy, NAARM, Hyderabad visited SPRERI on June 17, 2014.

7. Shri V. A. Vaghela, Director, Shri S.J. Ruparel, Sr. Project Executive and Shri A.K. Chauhan, Sr. Project Executive from Gujarat Energy Development Agency, Gandhinagar visited SPRERI on October 9, 2014.

8. Dr. P.K. Agrawal, Asst. Director General (NASF), ICAR visited SPRERI on November 23, 2014.

9. Shri R. Venkataramanan, Executive trustee, Tata Trust, Mumbai along with three colleagues visited SPRERI on March 13, 2015.

10. Shri K.H. Baraiya, Asstt. Conservator of Forest and Shri K.S. Yogi, Project Consultant of Gujarat Medicinal Plants Board, Gandhinagar visited SPRERI on March 27, 2015.

Visitors

39

Director

Dr. M. Shyam

Scientists

Solar EnergyDr. V. Siva Reddy, I/c Head

Er. Asim K. Joshi

Er. A. Gokul Raj

Er. A. Sampath Kumar

Er. Arun Bollavarapu (w.e.f. 1.9.2014)

Er. Nandan Varia (upto 29.11.2014)

Mrs. Hiraben Mistry (upto 31.8.2014)

Er. Akash Modh

Mr. Hasmukh Herma

Bio-Conversion

Dr. A.K. Kurchania, Head (w.e.f. 21.7.2014)

Er. B. Velmurugan (upto 16.3.2015)

Dr. Madhuri Narra

Dr. Mahendraperumal

Dr. A. Kiran Kumar

Dr. S.P. Singh

Er. Shakil U. Saiyed

Ms. Deval Shah (upto 31.7.2014)

Ms. Jisha P. James

Ms. Bhumika S. Parikh

Ms. Ekta V. Shah

Thermo-Chemical Conversion

Dr. Pravakar Mohanty, I/c Head (upto 22.1.2015)

Dr. Vaibhav Shinde, (w.e.f. 30.3.2015)

Er. Jignesh Makwana

Er. Farha Tinwala

Mr. Harshad Suthar

Mr. Anant Patel

Extension

Er. Samir Vahora, Activity I/c

Er. Dinesh Rangapara (w.e.f. 20.3.2015)

Mr. Jitendra Suthar

Er. Hitesh Prajapati

Administration

Mr. P. Amar Babu

Ms. Pragna Dave

Mr. Rajendra Shah

Mr. Hitesh Dalwadi

Mrs. Aida Mascarenhas

Mr. Hasmukh Vaghela

Technicians and Drivers

Mr. Jayesh Parmar

Mr. Bhupendra Prajapati

Mr. D.M. Harijan

Mr. Ramesh Bhoi

Mr. Rajesh Machhi

Mr. Minesh Suthar

Mr. Mahendra Padhiyar

Lab Attendant and Helpers

Mr. Parsottam Harijan

Mr. Ashok Harijan

Mr. Prakash Machhi

Mr. Bhupat Parmar

Mr. Ishwar Harijan

Mr. Harman Parmar

Mr. Ashok Patel

Mr. Vijay Vasava

Ms. Manjula Vadhel

SPRERI Team

40

Balance sheet as on 31.03.2015

Abbreviations

AAU - Anand Agricultural University AC, DC - Alternating current, direct currentAICRP - All India Coordinated Research Project AU - Arbitrary unitAvg - AverageBBM - Bold’s basal mediumBG11 - Blue green medium BGP - Biogas plant BIS - Bureau of Indian StandardsBOD - Biochemical oxygen demandCCE - Carbon conversion efficiencyCFD - Computational fluid dynamics CFL - Compact fluorescent lampCIAE - Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering CLRI - Central Leather Research InstituteCMCase - Carboxy methyl celluloseCNG - Compressed natural gasCO - Carbon monoxide CO

2 - Carbon dioxide

COD - Chemical oxygen demandCS - Chrome showingcSt - Centi stokeCV - Calorific valueCW - Cheese wheyDAP - Diammonium phosphateDBT - Department of BiotechnologyDC - Direct currentDS - Digested slurryDST - Department of Science and TechnologyEAAI - Energy in Agriculture and Agro- Industries ELISA - Enzyme linkded immuno sorbent assayEMS - Ethyl methane sulfonateER - Equivalence ratio ETC - Evacuated-tube-collectorFBG - Fluidized-bed-gasifier FPC - Flat-plate-collector FPhase - Filter paper acturityFPS - Filter pressed sludgeFPU - Filter paper unitGEDA - Gujarat Energy Development Agency GoI/GoG - Government of India/ Government of GujaratHRT - Hydraulic retention timeICAR - Indian Council of Agricultural Research IIT - Indian Institute of Technology

JSC - Jatropha seed cake (deoiled)kDa - kilo DaltonkWp - Kilo watt peak LED - Light emitting diodeLFT - Leather finished trimmingLPG - Liquefied petroleum gasLPH - Liter per hourMNRE - Ministry of New and Renewable Energy MoU - Memorandum of understandingMS - Mild steelMTT - 3 – (4,5 – dimethylthiazol-2-yl) – 2, 5 – diphenyltetrazolium MW - Molecular weightMW - Mandels and weberNABARD - National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development NABL - National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories NADES - Natural deep eutatic solvents NCIM - National collection of industrial microorganism NPK - Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassiumOD, ID - Outer diameter, inner diameter OLR - Organic loading rateORP - Operational research projectsPAU - Punjab Agricultural UniversityPCM - Phase change material PE - Phosphat ester PIC - Programmable interface controller SPRERI - Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute SPV - Solar photovoltaicSS - Stainless steelSTC - Standard test conditions TCD - Thermal conductivity detector TDS - Total dissolved solidsTFF - Tangential flow filtrationTR - Tonne refrigeration TS /TSC - Total solids/total solids concentrationTSS - Total suspended solidsUV - Ultra violetVAM - Vapour absorption machine VS - Volatile solidsWB - Wheat branWb, db - Wet basis, dry basis (mass)RS - Rice strawSB - Sugarcane bagasse

42

Contact for further information:Ms. Pragna B. DaveSr. PA to Director

Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute

Post Box No.2, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120, Gujarat, IndiaPhone : 02692 - 231332, 235011Fax : 02692 - 237982E-mail : info@spreri.org; director@spreri.orgWebsite : www.spreri.org

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