Research Papers
Fractionation of sugarcane molasses distillery wastewater and evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial characteristics
Kaushik A, Basu S, , Batra V S , Balakrishnan M
| 2018
Sugarcane molasses distillery wastewater (DWW) was fractionated by ultrafiltration (UF) using 100 kDa and 10 kDa membranes. The isolated fractions were characterized for antioxidant activity and content of melanoidins, total phenols, proteins and carbohydrates were measured. Chemical composition of the fractions was determined using GC–MS analysis and antimicrobial property was tested against pure microbial cultures. DWW has high antioxidant activity with the melanoidins content around 2×103 times the total phenols content. Diafiltration leads to loss in antioxidant activity.
Demonstration of acid and water recovery systems: Applicability and operational challenges in Indian metal finishing SMEs
Balakrishnan M, Batra R, Batra V S , Chandramouli G, Choudhury D, Halbig T, Ivashechkin P, Jain J, Mandava K, Mense N, Nehra V, Rogener F, Sartor M, Singh V, Srinivasan M R , Tewari P K
| 2018
Diffusion dialysis, acid retardation and nanofiltration plants were acquired from Europe and demonstrated in several Indian metal finishing companies over a three year period. These companies are primarily small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Free acid recovery rate from spent pickling baths using diffusion dialysis and retardation was in the range of 78e86% and 30e70% respectively. With nanofiltration, 80% recovery rate of rinse water was obtained. The demonstrations created awareness among the metal finishing companies to reuse resources (acid/water) from the effluent streams.
Concentrating molasses distillery wastewater using biomimetic forward osmosis (FO) membranes
Singh N, Petrinic I, Helix-Nielsen C, Basu S, Balakrishnan M
| 2018
Treatment of sugarcane molasses distillery wastewater is challenging due to the presence of complex phenolic compounds (melanoidins and polyphenols) having antioxidant properties. Due to zero liquid discharge regulations, Indian distilleries continue to explore effective treatment options. This work examines the concentration of distillery wastewater by forward osmosis (FO) using aquaporin biomimetic membranes and magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl2.6H2O) as draw solution. The operational parameters viz.
Concentrating molasses distillery wastewater using biomimetic forward osmosis (FO) membranes
Singh N, Petrinic I, Helix-Nielsen C, Basu S, Balakrishnan M
Treatment of sugarcane molasses distillery wastewater is challenging due to the presence of complex phenolic compounds (melanoidins and polyphenols) having antioxidant properties. Due to zero liquid discharge regulations, Indian distilleries continue to explore effective treatment options. This work examines the concentration of distillery wastewater by forward osmosis (FO) using aquaporin biomimetic membranes and magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl2.6H2O) as draw solution. The operational parameters viz.
Expression in rice of an autoactive variant of Medicago truncatula DMI3, the Ca+2 / calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from the common symbiotic pathway modifies root transcriptome and improves mycorrhizal colonization
Ortiz-Berrocal Marlene , Lozano Luis , Sánchez-Flores Alejandro, Nava Noreide , Hernández Georgina, Reddy Pallavolu M.
| 2017
Rice is the principle staple food for more than half of humankind. Frequently, productivity of rice is affected by low nitrogen in the soil and hence, for enhanced rice production it heavily relies on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers that beget economic and ecological costs. In this context, the interest in transferring legume-like biological nitrogen fixation capability to rice has increased lately.
Energy poverty in Asia
Bhattacharyya Subhes , Palit Debajit
| 2017
This chapter presents a review of the energy poverty situation in Asia, with a particular emphasis on South Asia. Lack of access to electricity and clean cooking energy is presented, followed by a summary of initiatives being taken in the region to address the challenge. Examples of successful and not-so-successful initiatives are then discussed to highlight the cross-learning potentials. Policies and interventions required to achieve universal energy access by 2030 are discussed in the final section.
Diffusion of solar PV in East Africa: What can be learned from private sector delivery models?
Muchunku Charles, Ulsrud Kirsten, Palit Debajit, Jonker‐Klunne Wim
| 2018
Solar photovoltaic (PV) will play the leading role in addressing off‐grid electricity access; it can be applied almost anywhere and used in a wide range of applications for households, businesses, institutions and communities. However, to fully exploit this opportunity, off‐grid markets that need these solutions need to be effectively penetrated. This article focuses on delivery models for off‐grid solar PV solutions and how they address barriers such as awareness, acceptance, access and affordability.
Solar microgrids in rural India: Consumers' willingness to pay for attributes of electricity
Graber Sachiko, Narayanana Tara, Alfaro Jose, Palit Debajit
| 2018
This paper assesses consumer valuation of different attributes of electricity supply to elucidate the conflict between solar microgrids and the centralized utility grid in India, as well as to provide insight into supporting government policies and structures. The study contributes significantly to the understanding of the role of microgrids in complementing a centralized system and its value as a sustainable energy solution for development.
Rural electricity access in India in retrospect: A critical rumination
Palit Debajit , Bandyopadhyay Kaushik Ranjan
| 2017
Despite the large-scale efforts towards electrification in India since the time of independence, approximately 45 million households still continue to be without electricity access. This paper critically analyses the evolution of the process of rural electrification in India, the factors that potentially determine the household electricity access and juxtaposed that with the policies adopted over three distinct time periods: the pre-independence period; the period of state ownership and the post-reforms period.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Stratagems from Waste Sector in India
Manuja Sourabh, Kumar Atul, Pandey Suneel
| 2018
India’s population growth, urbanization trends, patterns of income distribution, and increasing industrial production leads to increasing waste generation. Inappropriate waste management results in emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) constituting methane and nitrous oxide, contributing to global warming.