1SARDAR PATEL RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

2

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

2. Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi

- Department of Biotechnology

- Department of Science and Technology

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

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

5. Gujarat Agro-industries Corporation Limited, Ahmedabad

6. M/s Jyoti Limited, Vadodara

MAJOR SPONSORS OF SPRERI’S PROGRAMMES (2012-13)

Cover Page : Forced convection grid independent solar drying system

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CONTENTS

Page

Abbreviations ………...... 2

Organization ………...... 3

Vision and Mission ………...... 3

Research and Development

Solar Energy ………...... 4

Bio-Conversion ………...... 11

Thermo-Chemical Conversion ………...... 19

Training, Awareness Creation and Services

Regional Test Centre ………...... 24

Business Meet ………...... 25

Open House ………...... 25

Post-graduate Dissertation ………...... 26

Hari Om Ashram Prerit Lecture ………...... 26

Hari Om Ashram Prerit Young Scientist Awards ………...... 27

Consultancy ………...... 28

Memorandums of Understanding ………...... 28

Technology Evaluation and Demonstrations ………...... 29

Human Resource Development ………...... 32

Important Visitors ………...... 32

Participation in Important Meetings/Seminars/Conferences ………...... 33

Publications/Patent ………...... 36

Research Projects Undertaken ………...... 37

SPRERI Team ………...... 39

Audited Balance Sheet ………...... 40

Board of Management Inside back cover

SPRERI Technologies Back cover

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AC/DC - Alternating current/direct currentAICRP - All India Coordinated Research ProjectAU - Arbitrary unitBBM - Bold’s basal mediumBG11 - Blue green -11BIS - Bureau of Indian StandardsCFL - Compact fluorescent lampCIAE - Central Institute of Agricultural

EngineeringCIP - Cleaning in placeCNG - Compressed natural gasCO/CO2 - Carbon monoxide/carbon dioxideCOD - Chemical oxygen demandDST - Department of Science and TechnologyCSTR - Continuous stirred tank reactorCV - Calorific valueDBT - Department of BiotechnologyDJO - Discarded jatropha oilFPU - Filter paper units ETC - Evacuated tube collectorETP - Effluent treatment plantFBR - Fluidized bed reactorFTC - Fin tube collector GEDA - Gujarat Energy Development AgencyGoI - Government of IndiaGoG - Government of GujaratHRT - Hydraulic retention timeICAR - Indian Council of Agricultural ResearchIIT - Indian Institute of TechnologykDa - Kilo daltonLCD - Liquid crystal displayLED - Light emitting diodeLPD - Litre per dayLPG - Liquefied petroleum gasMNRE - Ministry of New and Renewable

EnergyMS - Mild steelmS/m - Millisiemens/meterMW - Molecular weightNABL - National Accreditation Board for

Testing and Calibration LaboratoriesNAIP - National Agricultural Innovation

Project

ABBREVIATIONS

OD - Outer diameterOLR - Organic loading ratePCM - Phase change materialPAU - Punjab Agricultural UniversityPDA - Potato dextrose agar PIC - Programmable interface controllerPP - PolypropyleneP-P-P - Public private partnershipPVC - Polyvinyl chloridePMA - Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate ppm - Parts per millionppt - Parts per thousandR & D - Research and developmentRE - Renewable energyRH - Relative humidityRES - Renewable sources of energy for

agricultural and agro based industriesrpm - Revolutions per minuteRRECL - Rajasthan Renewable Energy

Corporation LimitedRT - Retention timeRTC - Regional Test CentreSBC - Solar box cookerSESA - School of Energy Studies in AgricultureSPM - Suspended particulate matterSPRERI - Sardar Patel Renewable Energy

Research InstituteSPV/PV - Solar photovoltaic/photovoltaicSS - Stainless steelSS-Ti/Pt - Stainless steel-titanium/platinumTDS - Total dissolved solidsTNAU - Tamil Nadu Agricultural UniversityTS/TSC - Total solids/total solids concentrationTSS - Total suspended solidsTR - Tonne of refrigerationVS - Volatile solidsVCR - Vapour compression refrigerationVmax - Maximum velocityZVI - Zero valence ironwb/db - Wet basis/dry basis (mass)

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ORGANIZATION

Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute (SPRERI) was established in 1979 at Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat. It is an autonomous and non-profit organization managed by a Board comprising of leading technologists, scientists, industrialists and representatives of Central and State Governments. It is recognized by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, GoI as 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 Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad.

Solar energy, bio-conversion technology and thermo-chemical conversion of biomass are the three major fields of specialization at SPRERI. Many RE devices and systems developed at SPRERI are now manufactured by selected industries and supplied to the end users. Besides, promotion of RE technologies is pursued through field evaluation and demonstrations, training and entrepreneurship development, awareness programmes and integrated development of selected tribal villages.

English, gujarati and hindi are the official languages of the Institute.

VISIONSPRERI, a leading organization for research and development of renewable energy 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 bio-fuels, 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

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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Solar EnergyDesign, development and evaluation of PCM filled solar ETC system to produce hot water for applications in diary plant

Total solar energy available at any place varies with the season and is also dependent on local meteorological

conditions. Being an intermittent source of energy, its utilization can be made more attractive and reliable by incorporating thermal energy storage sub-system. Based on melting point and latent heat of fusion, acetamide and paraffins were selected as suitable PCMs. Details are given in the following table:

PCM filled ETC system for generation of 20 l/d hot water was designed and developed. The system comprised of two assemblies connected in series. Each assembly consisted of ETC and copper tube of 70 and 12.7 mm OD and 2.1 and 3.6 m lengths, respectively, and had exposed surface area of 0.23 m2. The schematics and the experimental set-up

of the system is shown in Fig. 1. No flow outdoor exposure test was performed for a period of two months and degradation of the copper tubes and discoloration of the PCM material inside the glass tube were not observed. Charge-discharge rate of PCM and performance evaluation of the system is under progress.

PCM identified Melting point Latent heat Density(No. of carbon atoms) (ºC) (kJ/kg) (kg/m3)

Paraffins CH3-(CH2)26-CH2 62 180 1250

AcetamideCH3CONH2 81 241 900

Coppertube

Water outlet

Water inlet

PCM

ETC

Fig. 1 Schematics and experimental set-up of 20 l/d capacity PCM-filled solar ETC system

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Design and development of a PV module integrated forced convection solar drying system for non-electrified region

The temperature of a PV panel was monitored during summer and winter seasons and are given in the following

table. The temperature of the panel was, in general, found 20-29 ºC above the ambient temperature, which may be utilized to heat the air at initial stage for drying applications. Besides, cooling of the PV panel will boost its conversion efficiency.

Month

Average temperature (ºC) (2012) PV panel Ambient Difference

February 55.9 32.8 23.1

March 54.8 31.7 23.1

April 61.4 36.9 24.5

May 69.3 40.7 28.6

November 50.4 31.2 19.2

December 43.0 26.9 16.1

Device Range Accuracy

Pyranometer 0-500 W/m2 ± 2%

RH sensors 0-100% RH/(-)40-85 ºC ± 1.5% RH/± 0.3 K

Temperature sensors 0-100 ºC 1 ºC

Hotwire anemometer (0-40 m/s)/(0-70 ºC) ± (0.03 + 3%)/± 0.8 ºC

Based on the data, a PV integrated solar drying system having 7 m2 collector area was designed, developed and equipped

with necessary instruments as per the details given below:

The system was evaluated at no load and results are given in the following table. The temperature inside the drying cabin was found varying within a narrow range of 40.5-43.5 ºC while solar radiation varied

widely between 450 and 900 W/m2 during the day. The air flow rate varied directly with the solar radiation. Performance test is under progress for different drying cabin temperatures (45-70 ºC).

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Energy audit and integration of solar concentrator based thermal system in a dairy industry

A dairy plant at Anand town was selected, the energy audit plan and methodology were developed and preliminary audit work completed. Schematics of various processes of the plant are shown in Fig. 2. The energy consumption data for both electrical and thermal systems were collected/measured. Around 6000 kg/d of steam is being used for various processes (pasteurization, cheese and ghee preparation, CIP and crate washing). A boiler of 3 t/h steam generation capacity (6 bar pressure, saturated steam) has been used (64% overall efficiency) for steam

production. Pasteurization followed by CIP consumed maximum steam. Around 80,000 l ice bank is used for cooling the milk at different points (pasteurization and storage etc.). The cooling load was found the highest for the pasteurization and cascaded vapor compression refrigeration (20 TR capacity). Refrigeration section accounted for more than 50% of the total electrical energy consumption of the plant. Details of process-wise cooling load, steam consumption and electrical energy consumption are given in the following table. Work on estimation of potential of the energy conservation measures and integration of RE devices for different processes is under progress.

* Measured 2.5 m, 5.0 m and 7.5 m along length from the air inlet

Time Solar Temperature (ºC) Air flow (h) radiation rate (W/m2) Ambient (m3/h)

11:45 854.1 25.9 30.3 34.2 39.8 42.3 748.8

12:45 892.7 26.5 30.5 34.7 40.3 42.7 748.8

13:45 897.0 26.8 31.3 34.9 40.1 42.8 806.4

14:45 855.4 26.7 30.9 35.0 40.4 43.0 748.8

15:45 557.8 27.9 31.9 34.9 39.3 41.4 578.4

16:45 457.1 28.3 31.9 34.4 38.1 40.3 345.6

Dryingcabin

Air heater* 1 2 3

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(a) Steam consumption (kg/d) 6000

Pasteurization 2683 Cheese vat preparation 745 Ice-cream preparation 442 Crate washing 162 Ghee preparation 74 CIP 1391 Miscellaneous 503

(b) Cooling load (MJ/d) 31554.5 -5 °C evaporator temperature 26024.3

Milk received in milk tanker 1717.5 Pasteurization 6333.3 Cooling after pasteurization 853.0 Milk packing and storage room 6022.3 Cheddar cheese storage 774.3 Mozzarella cheese preparation 88.2 Heat loss from the ice bank 79.2 Cream storage 150.4 Ice cream packing room 350.0 Cascaded VCR 9656.6 Deep freezer (-25 ºC evaporator temperature) 5530.2 Mozzarella cheese and storage 889.7 Ice-cream preparation and storage 4640.6

(c) Electrical energy consumption (kWh/d) 7572.6

Refrigeration 4005.8 Workshop 69.7 Cheese 65.5 Ghee 58.5 Ice cream 236.5 Packing 168.9 Processing 365.4 Boiler 100.3 Air compressor 1073. 6 ETP 627.4 Cold storage 549.9 Illumination 251.1

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Milk collection tank

4 oC to 8 oC

1,00,000

l/d

4 oC

Chilled water 3

oC

Chilled water 5

oC

Milk homogenizer 15,000 l/d

Milk storage tank 30,000 liters capacity

4 oC

Cheese section 12,000 l/d

ICE cream section 2,400 l/d

Horizontal tank

25,000 l capacity

4 oC

4 oC

Packing section

Hot water 95 oC

Milk pasteurizer

Hot water 90 oC Chilled water 3 oC

Chilled water 5 oC

10,000 l/h

Hot milk 75 oC

Hot milk 85

oC

Cold milk 15

oC

Cold milk 4 oC

Cream separator

45

oC

Cream storage

10 oC

Fig. 2 Schematics of the milk processing plant

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Third generation solar water heating systemMore than 80 solar flat plate collector based solar water heating systems (1st generation) have so far been tested at SPRERI as per BIS norms during the past around 20 years. The results show that their overall heat loss coefficients varied between 5 and 10 W/m2 and overall efficiencies 25-30%. During the last decade, ETC based solar water heating systems (2nd generation) have become popular. These are equipped with imported ETCs and have overall efficiency of 40-45%. Overall heat loss coefficient of an absorber enveloped by a glass tube with vacuum and a fin tube collector (FTC) enveloped with air-in-glass are shown in Fig. 3.

The overall heat loss coefficient and the optical efficiency of FTC enveloped with air-in glass tube varied between 2.0 and 2.5 W/m2 and 70 to 75%, respectively.

These may results in overall higher thermal efficiency of the FTC based system than the ETC based system. In pursuance with the above analysis, FTC based 3rd generation solar water heating system was designed, fabricated and installed at SPRERI (Fig. 4). No-flow outdoor exposure test was performed for a period of one month and no sign of degradation and discoloration of the black paint was observed. Static pressure leakage test was conducted and pressure drop and appearance of swelling were not observed in the risers as well as headers.

Results of thermal efficiency testing are given in the following table. The thermal efficiency was found reduced from 62.7 to 52.6% when temperature of the inlet water increased from 35 to 51 ºC. The thermal efficiency was, however, more than the flat plate collector and ETC based systems. Critical analysis of the system is under progress.

Fig. 4 Experimental set-up of FTC based solar water heating system

Solar radiation Ambient Water temperature (°C) Efficiency (W/m2) temperature (°C) Inlet Outlet ∆T (%)

986.0 34.0 35.0 39.2 4.2 62.7 994.0 33.9 35.2 39.5 4.3 62.8 872.7 35.0 40.9 44.3 3.5 60.0 914.2 35.6 41.4 45.0 3.6 59.5 903.4 34.8 51.9 55.1 3.2 54.0 908.2 35.0 51.6 54.8 3.2 52.6

Fig. 3 Variation of the overall heat loss coefficient with receiver temperature for

ETC and FTC

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

325 330 335 340 345 350

Fin Tube Collector (FTC)

Evacuated Tube Collector(ETC)

Receiver temperature (K)

Ove

rall

heat

loss

coef

ficie

nt U

l(W/m

2 )

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PIC microcontroller

DC 12 Vinput for

wiper motor

Relays

Manual control switches

Photo sensors

AC 230 Vpower supply

LCD display

Fig. 5 Controller circuit for the PIC based sun tracker

Programmable interface controller based sun trackerSun tracking systems are, in general, timer controller based (15° per hour rotation) and require manual intervention for starting and stopping the system because solar time changes throughout the year. Available electro-optical automatic controlled sun trackers are expensive and local expertise is not available for their repairs and maintenance. Keeping this in view, a low cost and easy to operate automatic sun tracking mechanism was designed and developed. The control circuit for the solar tracker, which is based on a PIC16F77A microcontroller, has been programmed to detect the sunlight through photo sensors and then actuate the motor through relays to position the solar panel to receive maximum sunlight. Common automobile wiper motor hasbeen used and its speed (50 rpm) reduced to 0.25 rpm through an appropriate gear reduction drive mechanism. Total error in the tracking system was found to be ±2%. The control board circuit and PIC micro controller based sun tracker for a 1 kW PV installed capacity are shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

PV system output was connected to 1 hp DC pumping system for evaluation of the

tracking system. Data collected for 1 kW capacity PV panels in fixed and tracking modes on March 28-29, 2013 are given in Fig. 7. Total electrical energy outputs in the fixed and tracking modes were 3.23 and 3.64 kWh, respectively. Besides, variations in the electrical energy output were far lower in the tracking mode than the fixed mode. The sun tracking system was found more effective during morning and late afternoon hours. Tracking system efficiency was found more than 12% with a tracking error of ±2%. Refinement of the system is under progress.

Fig. 6 PIC micro controller based sun tracking system of 1 kW PV installed capacity

Fig. 7 Variation of solar irradiation and electrical output from 1 kW capacity PV

system in tracking and fixed modes throughout the day

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

10.00 12.00 14.00 16.00

Solar irradiation (Tracking mode)Solar irradiation (Fixed mode)Electrical output (Tracking mode)Electrical output (Fixed mode)

Sola

rirr

adia

tion

(kW

) Electrical output (kW

)

Time (h)

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Bio-ConversionDevelopment and evaluation of digested slurry dewatering machine suitable for large capacity biogas plants

The machine fitted with screens having perforation size of 2 mm diameter produced solid fraction of around 35% TSC with throughput of around 0.65 t/h. However, TSC of the liquid fraction was high, upto 4.2%. During the year, efforts were made to increase the throughput to around 1 t/h and reduce TSC of the liquid fraction close to 2%. Therefore, mild steel screens having 0.5 mm diameter perforations (as against 2 mm diameter) were fabricated and fitted with the machine. The results of the trials carried out are given in the following table:

A throughput of more than 1 t/h was obtained in the trials carried out using perforated screen with 0.5 mm size. There was no clogging of the screens. However, the TSC of the liquid fraction was on the higher side (>3.7%). The mild steel screens were found severely rusted and choked after a few trials. Therefore, further trials were carried out using stainless steel wire mesh of 1.2 mm openings in first section and 0.6 mm openings in second and third sections of the machine. But the results were not satisfactory. Sieve analysis of the fresh digested slurry indicated that even

with screen perforations of 0.45 mm size, around 40% of the solids would pass on to the liquid fraction. Keeping in view the results of the sieve analysis of the slurry samples and the trials carried out last year, it was decided to use perforated screens of 2 mm size for long duration trials to achieve the revised target of 25% TSC of the solids fraction and a throughput of around 1 t/h. Many trials were carried out each of 4-6 h for a cumulated duration of more than 60 h. The speed of the screw was kept 11 rpm. In all the trials, TSC of the solids fraction was found around 30% and that of the effluent around 4%. Efforts are under way to carry out long duration trial of the machine at a selected large capacity biogas plant under normal operation.

Developing an integrated process technology for conversion of crop residues into ethanol and methane for use as transport fuels Two mutants M15.4 and M9 with greater specific activities of cellulases from the mother culture were generated. The efficiency of enzymes from mutants M15.4 and M9 for their saccharification potential were tested at 25% solid load and compared with control. There was a definite increase in efficiency of the system containing M15.4 and M9 enzymes as compared to the control in terms of time

TSC (%) Flow rate Influent Effluent Solid (t/h) Remarks slurry slurry residue 4.70 3.75 22.0 2.2 Throughput increased but TSC of the solid residues was low 6.38 4.60 29.2 1.1 TSC of the solid residues accept able but effluent high

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required for sugar release. It took 48 h for the control, 12 h for M15.4 and 20 h for M9 to release almost the same amount of reducing sugars from pre-treated rice straw. The use of enzymes from mutants not only gave more enzymes per kg of straw but also improved the system economics in terms of the time required for saccharification. Purification and characterization of an endoglucanaseCellulose degrading fungus Aspergillus terreus was isolated and pursued for enzyme production using rice straw under solid-state fermentation. The in-house isolate Aspergillus terreus was able to produce a complete enzyme system (endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, and β-glucosidase) which hydrolyses highly ordered cellulose producing glucose as a major end product with high saccharification efficiency. Study of individual components of cellulase complex is important to understand the mechanism and synergistic action of the enzymes for efficient cellulose degradation. An attempt was made to purify one of the key enzymes of cellulase complex. The enzyme was purified 3.49 fold with specific activity of 12.69 U/mg by a single step using Sephacryl S-200 beads. Its molecular weight was determined as 28.18 kDa by gel filtration and 29.13 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The enzyme displayed optimal activity at pH 4.8 and 50 °C. The endoglucanase was stable for 240 min at 50 °C and 120 min at 60 °C at optimal pH but rapidly got deactivated at 70 °C. The enzyme was active against carboxymethyl-cellulose, but showed no activity towards either cellobiose or xylan.

The values of the Michaelis constant (Km) and the maximum velocity (Vmax) were determined by measuring the rate of carboxymethyl-cellulose hydrolysis under standard assay conditions. The enzyme showed Vmax of 2.63 µmol/mg/min with its corresponding Km value of 12.01 mg/ml. AgNO3, KCl, NaCl, and MnSO4 inhibited the purified cellulase, whereas CaCl2, ZnSO4 and dithiothreitol enhanced its activity. The enzyme retained 100% of its activity up to forty five days at 30-35 °C. This purified endoglucanase has a potential to be exploited industrially for various applications owing to its thermo-stability, long shelf life and low pH compatibility.Saccharification studies using purified endoglucanaseThe in-house cellulases have a good amount of β-glucosidase. It was, therefore, decided to test the effect of additional endo-glucanase on efficiency of saccharification. Saccharification studies were carried out using both crude cellulases and mixture of crude cellulases and purified endoglucanase. When crude enzyme preparation was used alone, 64.49% saccharification efficiency was obtained in 20 h. Addition of 65 U of endoglucanase, which corresponds to around 31% additional endoglucanase, increased the saccharification efficiency of the system by 50%. It was noted that no substantial effect of added enzyme was observed in the system in the first 8 h of incubation suggesting that the endoglucanase may not be primarily responsible for degrading amorphous cellulose. With purified enzyme a gradual increase in sugar release in the system

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was found after 8 h which peaked at 16 h. An additional set of experiments with 12 FPU/g substrate load did not show substantial increase in sugar release, re-enforcing the earlier observation that the increase was endoglucanase specific.Recovery of cellulases after saccharificationAround 40% of the total cost of ethanol production from rice straw is contributed by the enzyme used in the process. Therefore, a study was undertaken to recover the enzyme used in the conversion process. A polyethylene sulfonate membrane with a 10 kDa molecular weight cut off was used for recovery studies. The data collected at laboratory scale show that more than 90% of the enzyme used could be recovered from the system. Even 60% recovery during scale up operation will significantly reduce the process economics and cost of ethanol production.

During the year, the mass balance of ethanol production process i.e. conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol was carried out. Various processes considered were pretreatment, separate hydrolysis and fermentation and anaerobic digestion of the solid residues and effluent. Extrapolation of the results show that 10 kg rice straw at 65% recovery rate during pretreatment (6.5 kg of pretreated rice straw) could be converted to 4.42 kg of fermentable sugars (glucose and xylose) and 2.006 kg of solid residues which can be converted to compost. Around 1420 ml of ethanol can be produced from both hexose and pentose sugars. The biomethanation of 170 l of liquid fraction could produce 500 l of biogas (340 l

methane and 160 l of CO2) with 69.02% COD removal.Development of an anaerobic culture by in vivo and in vitro supplementation of micronutrients for enhancing solid-state biomethanation of lignocellulosic wastes

During the last two years, data had been collected at laboratory level using six individual micro nutrients (mg/l) viz. FeCl3 (10, 20, 30 and 40); CoCl2 (10, 20 and 30); NiCl2 (10, 20 and 30); Mo(SO4)3 (0.04, 0.08 and 0.1); ZnCl2 and CuSO4 (4, 8 and 10) each at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures. At mesophilic temperature, maximum gas production was observed for nickel followed by cobalt and iron. The results show that the nickel ions had significant effect on enhancing the biogas production. Based on the data generated at laboratory level, experiments were carried out with proper controls and using selected combinations i.e. cobalt (20 mg/l) + iron (30 mg/l) + nickel (30 mg/l) + molybdenum (0.04 mg/l) at thermophilic temperature. The biogas production for all the combinations was found lower than the control as well as the individual micro-nutrients tested. Therefore, bench scale trials were carried out for the individual micro-nutrients only.

Two bench scale batch reactors (each of 5 kg capacity) were fabricated to verify the optimized nutritional parameters at thermophilic temperature. Initially, one reactor was supplemented with iron (30 mg/l) and the second was used as a control reactor (i.e. without micronutrients). Hot water of 50-55 °C was circulated to maintain thermophilic

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conditions in the reactors. After 20 days of retention time, the reactors were opened for analysis. It was observed that the reactor supplemented with iron (30 mg/l) got rusted and a hole was developed in the reactor which led to mixing of the hot circulating water with the reactor contents. The reactor was replaced with fresh substrate and micronutrient and experimental data collected. Thereafter, the same experiment was repeated using cobalt (20 mg/l). Iron and cobalt produced 1.18 and 1.5 times more gas than the control, respectively. Performance monitoring of the reactors supplemented with nickel (30 mg/l) is in progress.Development of an economically viable process technology for de-toxification of Jatropha de-oiled cake and simultaneous fuel gas production

Initial levels of various toxic moieties of de-oiled jatropha seed cake were determined following in-house optimized and standardized methods. The results are given in following table:

Anaerobic digestion of the de-oiled cake was carried out in batch type reactors at mesophilic temperature. One liter borosil glass bottles sealed with rubber stopper were used as fermentor. A mixture of Jatropha oilcake and culture was incubated at ambient temperature for

different retention times i.e. 30, 45, 60, 80, 100 and 120 days. Digested slurry collected from a cattle dung based biogas plant under normal operation was used as culture to initiate the fermentation process. All the fermentors were operated at 15% TSC on db. At the end of each retention time, contents of all the reactors were analyzed for levels of toxic moieties. It was found that the toxins in the de-oiled seed cake had reduced to very low levels. Phorbol, the major toxic component of the seed cake, had also reduced to an acceptable level in 60 days. This will later be verified by toxicology test on cell lines. The biogas production also reduced after reaching a peak on 60th day. The protein curcin, characterized by haemagglutinin property was analyzed using human red blood cells. Serially diluted samples were incubated with 5% washed red blood cells preparation at 4 °C for 1 h. Agglutination was confirmed microscopically. Control (cake) showed lysis of blood cells along with agglutination whereas zero day sample showed dense clumping. The absence of agglutination in other samples indicated that curcin proportion has been reduced to minimal level during the incubation period to cause clumping of red blood cells. Similar batch reactors have been set-up to check reproducibility of the result. The samples from the reactors are under analysis.Screening and improving biomass production and lipid accumulation of microalgae from estuary region (Khambhat, Gujarat) by conventional approach

During last year, a total of 27 samples were collected in sterile specimen tubes from

Moiety Jatropha de-oiled cakePhenolics (mg/g)(Gallic acid + tannic acid) 300 ± 2.33Phytate (mg/g) (Phytic acid equivalent) 1.16 ± 0.06Phorbols (mg/g)(PMA equivalent) 2.37 ± 0.03

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seven different places comprising various estuary habitats. The study was conducted for growth kinetic and determination of lipid content. Experiments were set-up with five selected monoalgal strains and observations were taken every two days interval. Sample collection continued up to 34 days of cultivation. The parameters like absorbance (optical density of the biomass) pigments, carbohydrate, protein concentration and lipid content were measured. Nile red (9 diethylamino-5-benzo (α) phenoxazinone) staining was used to detect intracellular lipid droplets from eighteen isolated strains. Those strains are now being tested by varying organic nitrogen (NaNO3) concentration in BG11 medium (1.5, 0.75 and 0.375 g/l) for growth and lipid contents. Experiments are also being carried out without nitrogen supplementation in BG11 medium as a negative control. Out of five, two in-

house isolates showed fluorescence emission of 2663.50 and 2645.50 AU with 0.75 g/l nitrogen concentration on 26th and 30th day, respectively. These two strains have been further scaled up to big aquarium tank (60 l) for enhanced level outdoor algae cultivation with continuous aeration. The outdoor cultivation system is being monitored for algae biomass growth and lipid productivity. The composed representation of the strain isolation habitat to mass level algae cultivation is shown in Fig. 8. During the year twenty four more samples were collected from ten different places and tested for variety of cations and anions by using standard methods. Important data for the samples collected from various estuarine region of Gujarat are given below. The samples were enriched and screening of various microalgal forms is in progress.

Fig. 8 Views of two estuary habitats from where samples were collected (A,B); Screening of microalgae from plates (C); Isolated algae cultures were maintained in 250 ml flask (D); Scaled-up to 5 l round bottom flasks (E); Scaled-up to outdoor 60 l aquarium tanks (F)

A

D

B

E

C

F

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Biochemical engineering of microalgae for enhanced lipid accumulation

The study was conducted for two monoalgal isolates, Chlorella sp. SBC 7, Chlorella sp. SBC 19 for evaluating the growth kinetics and biochemical composition. The growth kinetics of the two microalgae is shown in the Fig. 9. SBC 7 isolate showed significant growth upto 22nd day where as SBC 19 up to 19th day of cultivation under photoautotrophic conditions. The study is focused towards development of axenic monoalgal culture from the available germplasm culture collection bank at SPRERI by using different antibiotics (Streptomycin, Cycloheximide and Tetracycline) at 20-1000 µg/ml concentration in Bold’s Basal medium at 6.6 pH prior to autoclaving and incubated at 25±2 oC under a photo period of 12:12 h light dark cycle at light intensity of 35 μmol photon m-2 s-1. Optimization of cultural conditions with different chemicals for liquid accumulation for the available isolates is in progress.

Biomass and lipid accumulation of microalgae grown on distillery/diary wastewater as a possible feedstock for biodieselSamples were collected from a milk processing unit, Anand, Gujarat. The physico-chemical analysis with phyco-diversity studies of samples were carried out. Microscopic observations revealed that dairy wastewater supported an indigenous population of microalgae belonging to Cyanophycean, Chlorophycean and Bacillariophycean groups. Filamentous and non-filamentous organisms belonging to genus Oscillatoria, Phormidium,

Sample site pH (mS) Conductivity TDS (ppm) Salinity (ppt)

Kavi Kambhoi-1 7.95 11.95 7.65 6.01 Kavi Kambhoi-2 8.06 11.46 7.33 5.70 Kavi Kambhoi-3 8.04 10.75 6.88 5.38 Kavi Kambhoi-4 8.00 11.82 7.56 5.91 Bhadbhut-1 8.57 2.14 1.37 9.68 Bhadbhut-2 8.37 2.28 1.46 1.03 Bhadbhut-3 8.39 2.19 1.40 8.53 Bhadbhut- 4 8.58 2.40 1.54 1.07 Jhadeshwar-1 8.49 0.64 4.13 4.58 Jhadeshwar-2 8.55 0.65 4.18 2.80

Fig. 9 Growth kinetics of two microalgae Chlorella sp. SBC 7, Chlorella sp. SBC 19

under photoautotrophic condition

0.000

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Time (days)

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Spirulina, Leptolyngbya, Planktolyngbya, Geitlernema, Pithophora, Stigeloclonium sp. Chroococcus, Chlorella, Navicula and Nitzschia sp. were also found to be dominant. Physico-chemical parameters of different treatment tanks of dairy wastewater plant, Anand are given in the following table.

In order to evaluate the suitability as a medium for enrichment with available algae, two sets of experiments were carried out. In set I, sewage water was diluted to 50% using BBM and tap water. In this composition microalgae did show good growth. In set II, different concentrations of BBM with cheese whey samples (1 to 80%) were used. Chlorella sp. growth was found good in the samples having 1 to 20% concentration of the cheese whey with BBM. The growth of algae was poor for 40 to 80% samples due to contamination with other bacteria. The growth medium was observed under microscope for cell liveliness and effect of any other inhibitor(s) on the algae growth was also studied. This strain was further tested in BG11 medium with cheese whey samples in different concentrations. The growth kinetic data showed that the medium consisting of 80% cheese whey and 20% BG11 was very efficient growth medium for this strain. The growth medium comprising 50% cheese whey and 50% BG11 was

the second best. The lipid fluorescence emission in both the cases was 4000 and 3500 AU, respectively, within 7 days. The cheese whey water led to a significant improvement in microalgal biomass production and carbon source utilization due to the presence of growth promoting nutrients in cheese whey.

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

Work was initiated on determining the ultra-violet dose required for 1% survival of the Aspergillus terreus strain. Both distance and time dependent killing of spores is being tested. Briefly, spores from a seven day old culture grown on potato dextrose agar slants were harvested using Triton X-100. These were then diluted appropriately and placed in sterile glass petri plates. Three different exposure distances and various time points have been tried. After completing the treatment, the plates were covered with aluminum foil in dark and allowed to stabilize. Spore suspension was then plated onto screening plates and incubated at 45 °C for 48 h. Developed colonies were counted and a survival curve against exposure time was plotted. Based on that curve, time of 30 min and distance of 52 cm were fixed for further experimental work on mutation.

Parameters Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 pH 6.21 8.20 7.46 8.20 8.09 8.26 Temperature (°C) 30.10 29.70 29.80 29.90 29.90 29.90 Conductivity (µS/cm) 2264 1754 1821 1772 1830 1776 TDS (mg/l) 1600 1240 1290 1250 1300 1260 Salinity (mg/l) 1300 1010 1040 1020 1040 1020

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Parameter Dairy scum waste Kitchen waste Inoculum pH 05.99 04.43 07.06 Total solids (%, wb) 22.61 16.03 11.41 Volatile solids (%, db) 81.38 92.95 53.36 Fixed solids (%, db) 18.63 07.05 46.65 Organic carbon (%, db) 48.10 47.30 29.60 Total nitrogen (%, db) 00.92 02.24 01.45

Development and evaluation of laboratory scale pressure swing adsorption system for biogas up-gradation and carbon dioxide recoveryProject is being pursued jointly with selected manufacturers of PSA system and compressors. Fabrication of a 0.5 to 1 m3/h PSA system for biogas up-gradation has been completed and supply is expected shortly. Feasibility studies on bio-hydrogen production from agro-industrial wastesBio-hydrogen potential of agro-industrial waste was studied in ten batch type reactors (R1 to R10). All the treatments

were set-up in duplicate and the reactors were operated under ambient conditions. Control reactors (R9 and R10) were filled with preheated inoculum (at 100 OC for 15 min) and water. Heat treatment of the inoculum was employed as a method to increase hydrogen production by inactivation of non-spore forming hydrogen consuming microorganisms. Kitchen waste was used as the substrate in all reactors at different initial organic loading and preheated sludge (30 ml) was used as inoculum. The effective volume of each reactor was maintained at 0.1 l. Data collection is under progress.

Anaerobic co-digestion of dairy waste scum with kitchen waste for biogas productionAnaerobic co-digestion of dairy waste scum with kitchen waste was studied using three laboratory scale reactors each of total volume of 5 l in semi-continuous mode. The reactors were operated with three different proportions of dairy waste

scum and the kitchen waste (25:75, 50:50 and 75:25) on VS basis. The effective volume of the borosilicate glass reactor was maintained at 3.5 l. Fresh digested slurry collected from a cattle slurry based biogas plant under normal operation was used as inoculum. The physico-chemical characteristics of the wastes and inoculum are given in the following table:

The reactors were operated with OLR of 0.6 g VS/l/d and HRT of 20 days and

the performance data are given in the following table:

Parameter

Dairy waste : kitchen waste (w/w) 25:75 50:50 75:25 VS removal (%) 55.46 43.31 33.00 Biogas production • l/d 1.20 0.57 1.23 • l/g VS added 0.59 1.11 0.53

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Thermo-Chemical Conversion Value chain on biomass based decentralized power generation for agro-enterprises

Cotton stalk and pigeon pea stalk were procured, powdered and briquettes of 52.5 mm diameter were prepared. The gasification system was operated during May 2012 using the briquettes after incorporation of following modifications with the aim to reduce tar and SPM contents of the producer gas to less than 30 mg/m3.

• OD of the first spray tower was increased from 0.3 m to 0.6 m (primarily to increase residence time) and water flow rate in spray nozzle increased from 40 l/min to 70 l/min.

• Wood shavings filled into the wood shaving filter and saw dust filled into the organic filter-1 were coated with

discarded jatropha oil (DJO). Ratios of the wood shavings and the saw dust to DJO were 6.06:1 and 2.46:1 (w/w), respectively.

• Small charcoal pieces of 15x15 mm size were used in the charcoal filter.

The gas flow rate was kept low so as to maintain oxidation zone temperature within 900 ± 50 OC. Measurements were taken by a portable tar and SPM sampling device of IIT Bombay design and the results of the trials are summarized in the following tables:

Parameter Value Briquettes diameter (mm) 52.50 Moisture content (%, wb) 7.42 Fuel consumption rate (kg/h) 103.42 Specific gasification rate (kg/h m2) 137.89 Gas flow rate (Nm3/h) 291.53 Gas calorific value (kcal/Nm3) 1039±50 Gasification efficiency (%) 68.88 Clinker formed (kg) 1.55

Cooling & Tar and SPM contents of the gas (mg/m3) cleaning Raw Spray Spray Char Wood Organic filter Fabric Operation system gas tower tower coal shavings filter duration description (1) (2) filter filter (1) (2) (h) Version- 6 924.1 240.8 152.6 68.4 57.2 42.5a 41.7 8

Modified 638.2 279.7 145.3 119.9b 32.7c 23.6 12.7c 10.9 8

Improvement in gas cleaning efficiency of the spray towers, with increased residence time and water flow rate, was found only nominal. The gas cleaning efficiencies of wood shavings filter and the organic filter (filled with DJO coated biomass) were found increased significantly; around 72.7% and 61.1%, respectively, compared to 16.3% and 25% for the version-6

reported last year. The tar and SPM content of the gas was around 11 mg/m3, which is far lower than the initially set value of 30 mg/m3. Long duration trials will be undertaken shortly and small char pieces (2 to 5 mm size) obtained from the gasifier ash pit are proposed to be used as filter media in place of sawdust.

abox type organic filter; bgas bypassed because of improper installation of the inner top cover; corganic filter with DJO coated sawdust

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Installation and commissioning of 100 kW gasification based power generation system along with engine gen-set was carried out successfully at Udaipura, Bhopal site during the period (Fig. 10). CIAE staff were trained in operation and routine maintenance of the system.

Development of technology for treatment of wastewater from producer gas wet scrubbing unit for reuse and final disposal

The wastewater treatment by electro-coagulation (EC) method using iron and stainless steel electrodes gave 76%

reduction in COD. But reduction in ammonical nitrogen was insignificant. During the year, other methods were also tried to study reductions of phenols and ammonicals as compared to EC method and the results are shown in the following table. Bench scale anaerobic treatment of the wastewater in batch mode was tried but there was no gas generation. Mixed metal oxides coated titanium electrodes have been procured and trails with two liter capacity batch type reactor are under progress for treatment of the gasifier wastewater (Fig. 11). Studies on treatment by filtration through activated carbon and clay as filter media will also be taken up shortly.

Fig. 11 Electro-oxidation testing set-up

Untreated wastewater COD (ppm) NH3-N (ppm) Phenols (ppm) 1200 - 2000 300 - 700 35 – 85 Process used COD reduction NH3-H reduction Phenols reduction (%) (%) (%)

Zero valence iron (ZVI) 40.0 22.0 11.8 ZVI+H2O2 62.5 72.7 50.5 Chemical coagulation 46.9 48.7 24.3 (Alum+lime) Electro-coagulation 71.5 26.3 54.4 Electro oxidation 64.1 67.2 90.1 (SS-Ti/Pt electrodes)

Fig. 10 Biomass gasification and power generation system of SPRERI design at

Udaipura, Bhopal

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Adaption of SPRERI fluidized bed gasifier for rice husk fuel

Rise husk fuel was procured locally and proximate analysis was carried out. Average moisture content, VS, ash content and fixed carbon were 8.78%, 79.57%, 8.78% and 11.65%, respectively. During initial testing of the available fluidized bed experimental gasification system using rice husk, it was observed that after a few minutes of operation the screw got blocked due to formation of very hard plug at its discharge end (Fig. 12).

To overcome the problem, the screw was extended up to the reactor wall. Besides, the rice husk feed rate was found to be high. Therefore, the speed ratio for the geared motor to the screw shaft was reduced from 0.67 to 0.38. With these two modifications, the feeding rate for the rice husk was found varying in the range of 6.36 to 68.6 kg/h as against 9.36 to 127.5 kg/h earlier. For determination of minimum fluidization velocity of the biomass, sand, catalyst and char particles, an acrylic material based column has been developed (Fig. 13). Instrumentation and calibration of the experimental set-up is under progress.

Development of a high performance domestic cook stove for continuous operation with long fuel wood sticks

The ceramic lined portable biomass cook stoves had been installed in 200 tribal homes of five selected villages in Vadodara and Dahod districts last year. The feedback collected revealed following problems/constraints:

• Difficulty in shifting the stove because of its high mass, around 14.5 kg

• Batch operation required charging of the stove with sized fuel wood periodically

Keeping the above in view, ceramic liner of the stove was replaced with air insulation and provision made for side feeding of long fuel wood sticks for continuous operation of the stove. The new prototype was tested as per BIS procedure and the performance was found satisfactory (Fig. 14). Performance data are given in the following table. For field testing, one user having five members in his family was

Fig. 12 FBR being tested with rice husk fuel

Fig. 13 Experimental set-up for fluidization velocity determination

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identified and provided a prototype of the air insulated domestic cook stove. Field data collection is under progress.

Dhaba size biomass cook stove with air insulation was also developed and provided to a hawker for sweet corn boiling (Fig. 15). The response was very encouraging. His monthly fuel consumption was 2 LPG cylinders per month (cost around Rs. 900). The LPG was replaced by corn cob waste, dried coconut shell and fuel wood and the reported savings on fuel was around 80%. Fully satisfied with the improved biomass cook stove, the hawker stopped using LPG all together. Field data collection is in progress. Development of facilities for testing of emissions from the biomass cook stove as per BIS standards is under progress.

Fig. 14 Biomass cook stove withair insulation and side feeding under testing

Fig. 15 Dhaba size biomass cook stove with air insulation under operation at selected user’s site

Suitable Burning Thermal Power Biomass cook stove model for family rate efficiency rating members (kg/h) (%) (kW)

Domestic with ceramic insulation 4-8 1.95 27.33 2.63 Domestic with air insulation 4-8 1.48 30.89 1.83 Domestic with air insulation 4-8 1.70 29.28 2.46 and side feeding Dhaba size with air insulation 40-60 4.2-6.0 28.1-32.6 6.8-8.3

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Development of a vapor condenser unit for SPRERI vacuum pyrolysis system and performance evaluation of the integrated system including stability studies of the bio-oil

An automated fixed bed pyrolysis system of 1 kg/h biomass capacity had been developed and installed in bio-fuel laboratory. The system has interface with a software for controlling reactor temperature, biomass feeding, char removal and data recording. Test trials for the system (Fig. 16) were carried out using 1 kg powdered sawdust (particles size around 2 mm) in batch mode. Characteristics of the saw dust used as fuel

and process parameters for experimental testing are given in the following tables.

Average yields of the bio-oil and the char were 350 ml and 320 g, respectively, and various components of pyrolysis gas CO, H2, CO2, CH4 and O2 were in the range of 10.0-14.3%, 10.7-15.0%, 1.6-2.5%, 20.3-25.4% and 6.7-8.2%, respectively, by volume. The water content of the oil produced was considerably low. It appeared much thicker having strong pungent odor and dark brownish color. Data logger installation is in progress to measure vapor temperatures and observe condensation of the vapors at different stages.

Parameter Value Moisture content (%, wb) 9.0 Volatile content (%, db) 76.3 Ash content (%, db) 10.1 Fixed carbon (%, db) 13.5 Cellulose (%, db) 58.0 Hemicelluose (%, db) 20.0 Lignin (%, db) 13.4 Calorific value (kcal/kg) 4252.7

Fig. 16 Pyrolysis system under testing

Parameter Value Time for loading the feed (min) 2 Reaction temperature (°C) 500 Total reaction time (min) 5 Total unloading time for char (min) 4 Temperature of water in (°C) 15 Temperature of water out (°C) 35 Water flow rate (l/min) 5 Vacuum (mm Hg) 270

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Regional Test Centre

Regional Test Centre (RTC) for solar thermal devices is supported by MNRE, GoI, New Delhi and approved by the BIS since 2000. Mr. R. K. Mishra, Lead Assessor and Prof. R. L. Sawhney, Technical Assessor from NABL completed final-assessment of the laboratory on June 9-10, 2012 for accreditation in the field of solar thermal testing. A few non-conformities were observed during the assessment. Suitable necessary action was taken promptly and NABL accreditation of SPRERI (certificate No: T-2341) for testing solar thermal systems (flat plate collector and box cooker) was received. The accreditation is valid up to September 11, 2014.

In keeping with the instructions received from MNRE, inspection of 17 ETC based

solar water heating system manufacturers in Gujarat and Rajasthan States for empanelment under MNRE central financial assistance programme was completed by a committee consisting of the scientists from SPRERI RTC and a representative from GEDA/RRECL. The inspection reports were prepared and 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 the following table. The test centre also provided technical back-up to industries in maintaining quality standards in manufacturing of solar thermal devices. Besides, testing of one low iron ultra clear float glass sample was completed and the test report sent to the concerned party.

* includes a few devices which were received during the previous year

Devices Received for Testing completed testing (Units) (Units)*

Solar flat plate collectors received • Through BIS 12 9 • Direct from manufacturer 4 9 ETC based solar hot water systems 21 29 Solar concentrating cooker • SK14 1 0 • Scheffler dish 1 2 Solar box cooker received • Through BIS 2 1 • Direct from manufacturer 1 1 Total 42 51

TRAINING, AWARENESS CREATION AND SERVICES

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Business MeetA business meet on “Solar thermal technologies for process heat applications in domestic, industrial and commercial sectors” was organized at SPRERI on December 21, 2012. Forty two participants from different manufacturing industries and academic institutions participated in the meet. Dr. V. Siva Reddy, Principal Scientist made a brief presentation on SPRERI activities, particularly the RTC programmes. Dr. R. P. Goswami, Director, Solar Thermal Division, MNRE, GoI, New Delhi, inaugurated the meet and delivered keynote address. He emphasized upon importance of use of solar energy for process heat applications and informed the participants about the financial support available from GoI and other agencies for adoption of different solar thermal technologies. In the first session, manufacturers of solar water heating and steam generation systems (M/s Thermax Ltd., M/s SLT Energy Ltd., M/s Taylormade Solar Solutions Pvt. Ltd., and M/s Flareum Technologies) and in the second session, manufacturers of solar drying systems (M/s Mamata Energy Pvt.

Ltd., M/s Steelhacks Industries, and M/s NRG Technologists Pvt. Ltd.) presented details of their technologies and status of

the systems working in various industries. There was lively discussion at the end of each session. In the end Dr. M. Shyam, Director, SPRERI offered assistance of SPRERI in formulation of proposal(s) as per MNRE guidelines for installation of solar thermal technologies for process heat applications in a few selected industries.

Open House

Fifth ‘Open House’ was organized on 22-23 January, 2013 at SPRERI to create awareness among the citizens, particularly school and college students and their teachers about various RE technologies for domestic, industrial, commercial and community applications. Dr. D. C. Joshi, Dean and Principal, Faculty of Food Processing Technology & Bio-Energy, Anand Agricultural University inaugurated the open house. Dr. D. C. Joshi advised the young boys and girls to critically study various RE devices on display and enter into effective interaction with the SPRERI personnel to develop better understanding of various systems and their practical applications. Around 2600 participants, mostly students from

science, engineering, management and other disciplines along with their teachers

Fig. 17 Participants of the bussiness meet Fig. 18 Participants in the inaugural session of 5th Open House

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and faculty belonging to 50 different institutions spread all over Gujarat visited SPRERI during the ‘Open House’. Scientists and technical personnel of SPRERI explained various available RE technologies and also the technologies under development such as 3rd generation solar water heating systems, PV integrated solar dryer, solar pumping system, solar refrigerator, fluidized bed biomass gasifier, improved biomass cook stoves, liquid bio-fuel technology etc. A few firms displayed their RE technologies and students from Anandalaya Education Society, Anand and eiTRA, Ganpat University also displayed RE models developed by the students.

Post-graduate Dissertation

During the year, one student each

joined Solar Energy and Bio-conversion Technology divisions and pursued their dissertation work as per details given below.

Hari Om Ashram Prerit Lecture

SPRERI organized Hari Om Ashram Prerit lecture on energy/RE at Anand Agricultural University, Anand on February 28, 2013. Dr. Kirit S. Parikh, well known Energy Economist, Chairman, Governing Council, Integrated Research and Action for Development, New Delhi and former member of Planning Commission, GoI delivered the lecture on “Price of Energy: Impact on Agriculture, Transport and the Economy”. More than 150 persons, mostly students and faculty from engineering, science and management colleges, research organizations and Anand Agricultural University participated in the lecture. Dr Parikh in his lecture explained in detail various aspects related with consumption, supply and price of commercial sources of energy, in particular, diesel fuel and its impact on rural and transport sectors and overall Indian economy. The lecture was followed by lively interaction.Fig. 19 Students interacting with

SPRERI personnel

Name of the Institute/University Topic of research student/degree

Ms. Avipsa Dev BVM Engineering Design, development and (M.Tech) College, Vallabh Vidyanagar performance evaluation of a PIC micro controller based commercially viable sun tracker Ms. Krunali Patel MS University, Vadodara Anaerobic co-digestion of organic (M.E) solid waste: dairy waste scum with kitchen waste

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Hari Om Ashram Prerit Young Scientist AwardsOn the recommendation of the Selection Committee, following young scientists/engineers were conferred with Hari Om Ashram Prerit award for research in RE for the periods 2008-2011 and 2009-2012:

Period 2008-2011: Dr. Nilanjan Saha, Assistant Professor, Department of Ocean Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras was selected for the award for his work “Stochastic nonlinear dynamic response analysis of a jacket supporting an offshore wind turbine with emphasis on extreme values”.

Dr. P. Subbain, Vice Chancellor, TNAU conferred the award during the Inaugural Function of Biennial Workshop of AICRP on Renewable Sources of Energy (ICAR) held at TNAU, Coimbatore on July 10, 2012.

Period 2009-2012: Dr. V. Siva Reddy, Principal Scientist, SPRERI, Vallabh Vidyanagar was selected for the award for his work “Exergetic analysis and economic evaluation of solar alone and solar aided thermal power generation”. Dr. Amrita Patel, Chairman, Board of Management, SPRERI and Dr. Kirit S. Parikh jointly conferred the award.

Fig. 20 Chief guest and the participants of Hari Om Ashram Prerit lecture

Fig. 21 Hari Om Ashram Prerit young scientist awards being conferred on Dr. Nilanjan Saha

(top) and Dr V. Siva Reddy (above)

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Consultancy

• On the request of M/s Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producer’s Union Ltd., Anand, third party inspection of “SPRE’s flexi domestic biogas plant”, set-up at Amul Dairy Development Farm, Mogar, Anand district, was carried out during September 19-30, 2012 and the report submitted.

• Biogas sample received from M/s Firdos Biogas Pump Company was analyzed and test report was submitted on October 16, 2012.

• A team of scientists from Thermo-chemical Conversion division carried out on-site inspection of large biomass gasification plants installed by M/s Radhe Renewable Energy Development Pvt. Ltd., Rajkot in two different industries at Morbi during November 2012 and submitted the report.

Memorandums of Understanding

Following MoUs were signed during the period:• An agreement was signed with M/s

Benaka Bio-technologies Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore to design a continuous stirred tank reactor type biogas digester and to conduct R&D and field trials with water hyacinth as feed stock to produce CNG equivalent gas.

• Another agreement was signed with M/s AIR-N-GAS Process Technologies, Ahmedabad for development of biogas up-gradation technology to produce CNG equivalent gas using pressure swing adsorption technology.

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RE demonstrations

Demonstrations of improved biomass cook stove, solar lanterns and solar cooker were organized in Chilakota (dist. Dahod) and Simal Faliya (dist. Vadodara) villages on December 10, 2012 and January 1, 2013, respectively (Fig. 22). Besides, awareness programs for the biogas plant was also organized in Dageria, Kamboi, Padar Vaat, Oli Amba and Simal Faliya villages on November 3-4 and December 10-11, 2012. Salient features, method of operation, maintenance requirements and merits of the RE devices were explained to the participants. Ninety three villagers including many women participated in

the awareness programmes and interacted with SPRERI personnel (Fig. 23).

Setting-up low cost fixed dome large capacity demonstration biogas plants

PAU, Ludhiana centre of AICRP on RES has developed fixed dome (all brick masonry), large capacity (10-100 m3/d) biogas plant designs and more than 100 plants are under operation in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Assam provinces. The design is almost the same as family size Janta biogas plant and costs upto 50% less than the common KVIC design. With the objective to set-up a few demonstration plants of this design in Gujarat state, a number of villages around Anand town were visited and a progressive farmer in Napad village was selected. He was having 250 cattle and was also interested in construction of a large capacity biogas plant. To begin with it was decided to set-up a 45 m3/d capacity plant. Detailed drawings of the plant were prepared and construction of the digester was completed by January 5, 2013. Thereafter, construction of dome was initiated under the guidance of the designer, Dr. Sarabjit Singh, Director, SESA, PAU, Ludhiana. The master mason from PAU completed the construction work (Fig. 24) and also trained a local mason in construction of such plants.

The plant was commissioned during February and operation got stabilized by 12th March, 2013. Details on all the materials used were recorded and cost of construction/commissioning has been estimated to be around Rs 5 lakhs.

TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION AND DEMONSTRATIONS

Fig. 22 Demonstrations of solar lantern in Chilakota village (Dist. Dahod)

Fig. 23 Awareness programme for the biogas plant in Oli Amba village (Dist. Vadodara)

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The biogas produced, is being used for operating a 11 kW diesel engine in dual fuel mode for lifting water to irrigate the crops. Around 60% savings in diesel fuel consumption has been observed with the use of biogas. In addition, the digested slurry is planned to be dried, packed and marketed for use as manure. Collection of field performance data is under progress.

Performance monitoring of family size solid-state biogas plantsThe family size solid-state demonstration biogas plants of the new design (2, 3 and 4 m3/d capacity) were set-up at the 21 selected farmers’ sites in Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch and Kheda districts during the last year in P-P-P mode. Performance monitoring of all those plants was carried out. All the plants except one were found working satisfactorily. The lone non-working plant was primarily due to non-availability of the substrate. In general, the farmers fed 50-70% less water in their plants as compared to the common designs. All beneficiaries and their family members appeared fully satisfied with the quantity and quality of the gas output and performance of their plants. The methane contents of the biogas samples collected from a few farmers’ sites was found to be around 61%. The gas at all the sites,

except one, is being used for thermal applications i.e. cooking and water heating. Duration of biogas use was found varying from 3 to 5 h/d depending upon number of family members, size of the plants and quantity of the dung fed. The items cooked included chapati, dal, rice, vegetables, rotala, bhakhari, khichadi, kadhi, tea, milk boiling etc. The biogas at one of the sites in Kheda district is being used for operating 7.5 kW diesel engine in dual fuel mode for water lifting for irrigating the crops.RE intervention for rural developmentThe aim of the project is to provide RE support in a few selected underdeveloped tribal villages to reduce drudgery and to improve quality of life of the rural people. Implementations of the project began with effect from May 1, 2010 in Chilakota, Chedia and Dageria villages of Dahod district. During 2011, the program was extended to two more villages i.e. Simal Faliya and Raysingpura of Vadodara district. In all, 236 improved biomass cook stoves, 100 solar laterns, 23 biogas plants, 11 dhabha size biomass stoves, a community cook stove, 20 solar cookers and a solar water heater were set-up in the selected villages by March 31, 2013. One unit each of the ceramic lined biomass cook stove had been set-up in 236 selected households of the tribal villages. A training programme was also organized in proper operation and maintenance of the cook stoves for all the selected farmers. Feedback of the cook stove users was collected and is summarized hereunder:• All the beneficiaries were using

traditional biomass cook stove. The heat utilization efficiency for those stoves varied between 8-12%.

Fig. 24 Fixed dome biogas plant of 45 m3/d capacity at Napad village (Dist. Anand)

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• Operation of the improved biomass cook stoves was found easy.

• There was saving of 20-25% in fuel (wood) consumption and 20-30% in time spent in fuel collection, preparation and cooking activities with the use of improved biomass cook stove as compared to the traditional cook stoves.

• Around 70% users reported negligible or far lower smoke problem while the remaining users reported lower smoke problem with the improved biomass cook stoves.

Monitoring/feedback during the last one year also revealed that mass of the ceramic lined cook stove is high (around 14 kg) and there is no provision for use of long fuel wood sticks for continuous operation of the stove. To reduce mass of the stove, ceramic insulation has been replaced by air insulation. Five prototypes of the newly designed cook stove were fabricated (Fig. 25), tested at SPRERI and set-up in 5 different households of the selected villages. Comparative field performance monitoring of the stoves is under progress.During the period, monitoring of the RE devices set-up in the villages was carried out and need based maintenance

was provided to the beneficiaries in their respective villages. Twenty four non-working CFL lanterns were brought back and got serviced from the manufacturer. The main problems in the solar lanterns were fast discharging of the battery and CFL lamps not illuminating. One of the biogas plants was not working satisfactorily, primarily because of the construction defect i.e. the distance between the slurry outlet and gas outlet pipe was less than the distance as per the approved design. The biogas plant was successfully modified by providing a brick-masonry chamber on top of the gas dome as shown in Fig. 26. The plant is now working satisfactorily.

Fig. 26 View of the biogas plant (A) before and (B) after the modifications

A

B

Fig. 25 Prototypes of the improved biomasscook stove (air insulation)

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1. Er. Tilak Chavda, Senior Scientist attended four days short course ‘Economics of Renewable Energy Based Power Generation” organized by Centre for Energy Studies, IIT Delhi during May 29 to June 1, 2012.

2. Dr. V. Siva Reddy, Principal Scientist attended five days Continuous Education Programme course on “Energy Management” organized by Department of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT

Bombay during November 26-30, 2012.

3. Er. Farha Tinwala, Associate Scientist completed training on “Entrepreneurship Development & Management for Women Scientists and Technologist with Government Sector” under National Training Programme organized by Entrepreneurship Development Institute, Ahmedabad during March 17-22, 2013.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

IMPORTANT VISITORS

1. Shri A.K. Jain, Managing Director and Shri Sanjay Dave, Deputy Manager, Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Ltd. visited SPRERI on May 7, 2012.

2. Expert Team comprising Maj. S. Chatterjee, Shri P.C. Maithani and Dr. S.P. Gon Chaudhary visited SPRERI and the tribal villages selected for the core grant project during May 18-19, 2012.

3. Dr. Surendra Kothari, Head, Dept. of Renewable Energy, MPUAT, Udaipur along with three faculty members of visited SPRERI on August 7, 2012.

4. Shri Deepak Thakur, Corporate Head, Solar Group from Thermax Limited, Pune visited SPRERI on August 23, 2012.

5. Shri Ashok Hansraj, CEO, Global Green (EU), S.A., Lisbon Area, Portugal visited SPRERI on September 24, 2012.

6. NABL Expert Committee under the leadership of Prof. M.Y. Khire, Director, Faculty of Engineering, Management and Polytechnic, Miraj along with a senior faculty of BVM Engineering College visited SPRERI on October 20, 2012.

7. Shri P. Kishore Mudiraj, Chief Executive Officer, Krishi Greentech (P) Ltd., Tirupati visited SPRERI on December 5, 2012.

8. Dr. Sarabjit Singh Sooch, Director, School of Energy Studies in Agriculture, PAU, Ludhiana visited SPRERI on December 29, 2012.

9. Dr. Surendra Singh, Secretary, Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association and Chief Editor, Agricultural Engineering Today (ISAE) visited SPRERI on February 4, 2013.

10. Dr. P. Balakrishnan, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur accompanied with Senior Faculty members of his college and Dr. P.M. Chauhan, Head, Renewable Energy Department, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh visited SPRERI on February 5, 2013.

11. Dr. Kirit S. Parikh, Chairman, Integrated Research and Action for Development, New Delhi visited SPRERI on February 28, 2013.

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PARTICIPATION IN IMPORTANT MEETINGS, SEMINARSAND CONFERENCES

1. Er. Tilak Chavda attended First National Conclave for Laboratories on “Credible Laboratory Practices-Building Confidence Nationwide” organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (Institute of Quality), Bangalore and NABL at New Delhi on April 4-5, 2012.

2. Er. A. Gokul Raj participated in the workshop on “Smart Grid Development” held at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar on May 14-15, 2012.

3. Dr. V. Siva Reddy attended the Inception Workshop on UNDP/GEF Project on Solar Concentrators for Process Heat held at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi on May18, 2012.

4. Er. B. Velmurugan participated in one day workshop on “Sustainable solution for sugar Industry waste management” held at Jain Irrigation Systems Limited, Jalgaon on June 8, 2012.

5. Er. Jignesh Makwana attended Unit Cost Committee meeting for various MNRE approved biogas models and sizes at Gujarat Agro-industries Corporation Limited, Ahmedabad as a member of committee on June 18 and July 2, 2012.

6. Dr. Siva Reddy, Er. B. Velmurugan, Er. Asim Joshi, Dr. Garima Dixit, Ms. Madhuri Narra, Er. Jignesh Makwana and Er. Farha Tinwala participated in the 17th workshop of AICRP on RES held at Coimbatore during July 10-13, 2012.

7. Er. Farha Tinwala participated in “First International Brainstorming Workshop on Waste to Energy in India” organized by Waste to Energy Research & Technology Council at Mumbai, August 24-25, 2012.

8. Er. Samir Vahora attended the Tender Evaluation Committee meetings for

institutional biogas plants held at GEDA, Gandhinagar as a member for technical and financial bids and finalization of the qualified bidders on September 26 and December 4, 2012.

9. Dr. M. Shyam and Er. Asim Joshi attended the 7th Consortium Implementation and Consortium and Advisory Committees meet of NAIP project “Value chain on biomass based decentralized power generation for agro-enterprises” during October 4-5, 2012.

10. Dr. M. Shyam attended 8th National Conference on “Indian Energy Sector- Synergy with Energy” held at Saket Projects Ltd., Ahmedabad and delivered a lecture “Sustainable Development through Renewable Energy Sources” on October 11, 2012.

11. Dr. M. Shyam attended Advisory Committee Meeting of bio-energy research projects of the National Fund (ICAR) held at Division of Microbiology, IARI, New Delhi on October 12, 2012.

12. Er. Tilak Chavda delivered a lecture “Solar Energy Applications” in one day District Seminar on “Non Conventional Sources of Energy organized by The International Association of Lions Clubs and Environment Science Program, MS University of Baroda, on October 21, 2012.

13. Er. A. Gokul Raj participated in the seminar “Solar solutions for industry” organized by M/s Thermax Ltd. at Ahmedabad on October 26, 2012.

14. Er. Samir Vahora participated as Judge in contests organized by SEWA “To provide efficient and improved products to its members” at Anand and Mehshana

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districts on October 26 and December 7, 2012, respectively.

15. Dr. V. Siva Reddy attended 12th Meeting of Non conventional Energy Sources Sectional Committee MED 04, in joint Session with 5th meeting of Solar Thermal Energy Sub Committee ME 04:1 and 2nd meeting of Biomass: Bio-energy systems and devices, improved chulhas, biogas plants, biomass fuel processing systems and biomass gasifier systems Sub-committee, MED 04:2 at BIS, New Delhi on December 7, 2012.

16. National Seminar on “Recent Advances in Bio-Energy Research” was organized at SSS-NIRE, Kapurthala, Punjab on December 7-8, 2012.

• Er. Asim Joshi presented a research paper entitled “Development and performance evaluation of fluidized bed gasifier for selected biomass”.

• Ms. Madhuri Narra presented a research paper entitled “Ethanol production from rice straw: a sequential process of mild acid treatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis at high solid loads” and

• Er. B. Velmurugan presented a research paper entitled “Biomethanation of crop residues at high solid content - a potential energy warehouse/resource”.

17. Prof. B.S. Pathak, Member, Board of Management, SPRERI participated in the National Technology Summit jointly organized by Confederation of Indian Industries and DST, GoI, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on December 11, 2012 and made a presentation on “Biomass Conversion Technologies Available at SPRERI for Field Applications”.

18. Dr. M. Shyam attended the Expert Committee Meeting at National Innovation Foundation India, Ahmedabad to review the entries for Gandhian Inclusive Innovation Challenge Award 2012 on December 18, 2012.

19. Dr. M. Shyam attended Faculty Selection Committee Meeting as subject matter expert at Anand Agricultural University, Anand on December 31, 2012.

20. Er. Tilak Chavda delivered a lecture on “Solar dehydration technology for vegetables and fruit” at technology week entitled “Krashika 2013” organized by Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dethali, dist. Kheda on January 3, 2013.

21. Dr. M. Shyam, Dr. V. Siva Reddy, Er. B. Velmurugan, Er. A.K. Joshi, Dr. Mahendra Perumal, Ms. Madhuri Narra and Er. Samir Vahora participated in the Coordination Committee Meeting of AICRP on RES (ICAR) held at MPUAT, Udaipur during January 18-20, 2013.

22. Dr. V. Siva Reddy Delivered a special lecture on “Renewable energy in India and solar energy utilization in drying/dehydration” in 2nd national conference on “Integration of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for Rural Development and Prosperity” organised by Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Anand, January 23, 2013.

23. Dr. V. Siva Reddy attended MNRE Solar Thermal Energy Channel Partners Meeting held at CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi on January 30, 2013.

24. Dr. M. Shyam participated in the “47th Annual Convention of ISAE and International Symposium on Bio-energy” held at ANGRAU, Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad on January 30, 2013. He was

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a Panelist in the Panel discussion session and delivered a special lecture “Industry – Research Institute Collaboration: SPRERI Experience” in the Valedictory Session of the Convention.

25. Ms. Madhuri Narra and Er. B. Velmurugan attended the 4th meeting of the Task force on Energy Bioscience held in DBT, Delhi on February 5, 2013 and presented the progress of the project on “Developing an integrated process technology for conversion of crop residues into ethanol and methane for use as transport fuels”.

26. Dr. V. Siva Reddy attended “FICCI India Innovation Growth Programme 2013” on February 5, 2013, at Vadodara.

27. Er. A. Gokul Raj participated in one day national conclave organized by ASHRAE-Western India Chapter on “Integration of Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency into Buildings” at Ahmedabad on February 13, 2013.

28. Ms. Madhuri Narra and Dr. Mahendra Perumal attended India-Australia collaborative workshop to develop

collaborations in biofuels and RNAi held at International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi in collaboration with DBT and Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Australia on February 25, 2013.

29. Er. Samir Vahora and Er. Jignesh Makwana attended the group Monitoring Workshop held on March 4-6, 2013 at WWF-India office, New Delhi and presented the 3rd progress report of the project on “Renewable energy intervention for rural development”.

30. Er. Tilak Chavda attended a review meeting for MNRE-RTC held at MNRE, New Delhi on March 6, 2013 and presented the progress of SPRERI-RTC.

31. Dr. M. Shyam participated in the Expert Committee Meeting for evaluation of project proposals for scientific validation and value addition in Grassroot innovations held at National Innovation Foundation India, Ahmedabad on March 23, 2013.

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1. Madhuri Narra, Garima Dixit, Jyoti Divecha, Datta Madamwar and Amita R Shah (2012). Production of cellulases by solid state fermentation with Aspergillus terreus and enzymatic hydrolysis of mild alkali-treated rice straw. Bioresource Technology, 121, 355-361.

2. S. N. Singh, S. Mohana and M. Shyam (2012). Solar lanterns for tribal homes in Gujarat. Akshay Urja, 6 (1):29-31.

3. S. N. Singh and M. Shyam (2012). Status of biogas plants of solid state Deenbandu design in Gujarat. Agricultural Engineering Today, 36 (3):16-20.

4. D. Pareek, A. Joshi, S. Narnaware and V. Verma (2012). Operational experience

of agro-residue briquettes based power generation system of 100 kW capacity. International Journal of Renewable Energy Research, 2 (3):477-485.

5. Tilak Chavda (2013). Solar cooling: A simple system. Cooling India, 8 (12):28-30.

6. Madhuri Narra, Garima Dixit, Datta Madamwar and Amita R Shah. Purification and properties of endoglucanase from Aspergillus terreus - role in enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass. Submitted to Carbohydrate Polymers.

Patent was filed for “an odour-free process for handling of organic solid wastes for biomethanation and simultaneous production of solid bio-fuel/manure”

Reference: Application No. 3267/MUM/2012 dated 19th November, 2012.

PAPER PUBLISHED/SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION

PATENT

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Solar EnergySP-2012- ST-32Design, development and evaluation of PCM filled solar ETC system to produce hot water for applications in diary plant (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Tilak Chavda and V. Siva Reddy

SP-2012-ST-33Design and development of a PV module integrated forced convection solar drying system for non-electrified region (AICRP on RES)Investigators: V. Siva Reddy and Tilak Chavda

SP-2012-EM-1Energy audit and integration of solar concentrator based process heat system in a dairy industry (AICRP on RES)Investigators: A. Gokul Raj and V. Siva Reddy

Regional Test Centre for Solar Thermal Devices (MNRE)Staff involved: Tilak Chavda, H. N. Mistry, Akash Modh and V. Siva Reddy

Bio-ConversionSP-2008-AT-27Development and evaluation of digested slurry dewatering machine suitable for large capacity biogas plants (AICRP on RES) Investigators : B.Velmurugan and Samir Vahora

SP-2009-AT-30Developing 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 for transport fuels (DBT)Investigators: Madhuri Narra, Garima Dixit and B.Velmurugan

SP-2010-AT-34Development of an anaerobic culture by in-vivo and in-vitro supplementation of micronutrients for enhancing solid-state biomethanation of lignocellulosic waste (AICRP-ICAR)Investigators: Madhuri Narra and B. Velmurugan

SP-2011-AT-35Development of an economically viable process technology for detoxification of Jatropha de-oiled cake and simultaneous fuel gas production (DST)Investigators: Garima Dixit and Madhuri Narra

SP-2011-AT-36Screening and improving biomass production and lipid accumulation of microalgae from estuary region (Khambhat, Gujarat) by conventional approach (DST)Investigators: Garima Dixit and Mahendra Perumal

SP-2012-AT-37Biochemical engineering of microalgae for enhanced lipid accumulation (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Garima Dixit, Mahendra Perumal and Madhuri Narra

SP-2012-AT-38Biomass and lipid accumulation of microalgae grown on distillery/diary waste water as a possible feedstock for biodiesel (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Garima Dixit, Mahendra Perumal and Madhuri Narra

SP-2012-AT-39Use of mutagenesis to improve economics of cellulase production by an in-house isolate (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Garima Dixit, Mahendra Perumal and Madhuri Narra

RESEARCH PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN DURING 2012-13

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SP-2012-AT-40 Anaerobic co-digestion of dairy waste scum with kitchen waste for biogas production (AICRP on RES)Investigators: B.Velmurugan, Madhuri Narra and Shashank Mandovra

SP-2013-AT-41Development and evaluation of laboratory scale PSA system for biogas up gradation and carbon dioxide recovery (AICRP on RES)Investigators: B. Velmurugan and Samir Vahora

SP-2013-AT-42Feasibility studies on bio-hydrogen production from agro-industrial wastes (AICRP on RES)Investigators: B. Velmurugan, Madhuri Narra and Shashank Mandovra

Thermo-Chemical ConversionSP-2008-PG-45Value chain on “Biomass based decentralized power generation for agro-enterprises” (NAIP-ICAR)Investigators: Asim Joshi and M. Shyam

SP-2010-PG-52Development of technology for treatment of wastewater from producer gas wet scrubbing unit for reuse and final disposal (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Asim Joshi and Farha Tinwala

SP-2013-PG-54Adaption of SPRERI fluidized bed gasifier for rice husk fuel (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Jignesh Makwana and Asim Joshi

SP-2013-PG-55Development of a high performance domestic cook stove for continuous operation with long fuel wood sticks (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Jignesh Makwana and Asim Joshi

SP-2013-PG-56Development of a vapor condensing unit for SPRERI vacuum pyrolysis unit and performance evaluation of the integrated system including stability studies of the bio-oil (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Farha Tinwala and Asim Joshi

Technology TransferSP-2010-TT-1DST core project on renewable energy intervention for rural development (DST)Investigators: Samir Vahora and Jignesh Makwana

SP-2010-TT-2Operational Research demonstration of large capacity fixed dome type biogas plants for high TSC (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Samir Vahora and Shashank Mandovra

SP-2011-TT-3ORP 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/batch capacity for high value fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Samir Vahora and Jignesh Makwana

SP-2013-TT-4Field performance analysis of family size solid-state biogas plants set-up in Anand and Kheda districts of Gujarat (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Samir Vahora and Shashank Mandovra

SP-2013-TT-5Set-up cattle dung based demonstration biogas plant of 20-100 cu m capacity of PAU design in gaushala/farmer’s field for power/thermal application (AICRP on RES)Investigators: Samir Vahora and Shashank Mandovra

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SPRERI TEAM (2012-13)

DirectorDr. M. Shyam

Scientists

Solar EnergyDr. V. Siva Reddy, I/c Head Er. Tilak ChavdaEr. A. Gokul RajMrs. Hiraben MistryEr. Nishadh Nimbark (upto 1.6.2012)Mr. Hasmukh HermaEr. Akash Modh Mr. Nirav Solanki (upto 6.9.2012)

Bio-ConversionEr. B.Velmurugan, I/c HeadDr. Garima Dixit (upto 4.1.2013)Dr. Yogesh Joshi (upto 11.12.2012)Dr. Mahendra Perumal (w.e.f. 2.1.2013)Mrs. Madhuri NarraDr. Sachitra Kumar Ratha (upto 16.11.2012)Er. Shashank Mandovra Dr. Tarak Parekh (upto 30.6.2012) Dr. Suneel Gupta Dr. Digantkumar Chapla Ms. Anushree Kogje (upto 30.6.2012)Mr. Punit Karawadia (upto 13.2.2013)Er. Sandeep Sharma Mr. Punit Chawda Mr. Mayur Gahlout (w.e.f. 7.3.2013)Mrs. Deval Shah (w.e.f. 15.2.2013)

Thermo-Chemical ConversionEr. Asim Joshi, I/c Head Er. Jignesh MakwanaEr. Farha TinwalaEr. Jayprakash Samariya (upto 18.6.2012)Er. Praful Sutkar (upto 18.3.2013)Er. Mitul Prajapati (upto 6.3.2013)Er. Sachin Kumar Ghanchi (upto 30.6.2012)Mr. Harshad SutharMr. Anant Patel

ExtensionEr. Samir VahoraEr. Satya Narayan Singh (upto 7.6.2012)Er. Ankit Prajapati (w.e.f. 24.12.2012)Mr. Jitendra Suthar

AdministrationMr. P. Amar BabuMs. Pragna DaveMr. Rajendra ShahMr. Hitesh DalwadiMrs. Aida MascarenhasMr. Hasmukh Vaghela

Technicians and DriversMr. Jayesh ParmarMr. Bhupendra PrajapatiMr. Rakesh ParmarMr. Ramesh BhoiMr. Rajesh Machhi

Lab Attendant and HelpersMr. Minesh SutharMr. Mahendra PadhiyarMr. Purshottam HarijanMr. Ashok HarijanMr. Dahya HarijanMr. Prakash MachhiMr. Natu ParmarMr. Bhupat ParmarMr. Ishwar HarijanMr. Harman ParmarMr. Laxman ParmarMr. Ashok PatelMr. Vijay VasavaMs. Manjula Vadhel

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BALANCE SHEET AS ON 31.03.2013

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BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF SPRERI*

Sr. Name Position in Professional details No. BOM

1. Dr. Amrita Patel Chairman Chairman National Dairy Development Board Anand 388 001

2. Prof. A. C. Pandya Member Ex-Director CIAE, Bhopal and Energy Consultant 8, Shripalli Society, Manjalpur Vadodara 390 011

3. Prof. B. S. Pathak Member Ex-Director SPRERI and Energy Consultant KC-5, Kavi Nagar, Ghaziabad 201 002

4. Shri P. C. Amin Member Director Elecon Group of Companies M/s Elecon Engineering Co. Ltd. Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120

5. Dr. Pitam Chandra Member Director Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering Nabi Bagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal 462 038

6. Shri P. L. Panchal Member Deputy Secretary (NCE) Energy & Petrochemicals Department, GoG 5th Floor, Sardar Patel Bhavan New Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar 382 010

7. Shri Deepak Joshi Member General Manager (Control System - Wind Energy) M/s Jyoti Ltd. P.O. Chemical Industries, Vadodara 390 003

8. Dr. S. G. Patel Member Hon. Joint Secretary Charutar Vidya Mandal Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120

9. Dr. Datta Madamwar Member Professor B. R. Doshi School of Biosciences Sardar Patel University Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120

10. Dr. M. Shyam Member Director Secretary SPRERI Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120

* As on May 2013

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Important SPRERI Technologiesavailable for use/commercialization

• Solar refrigerator

• Low tunnel solar drying system

• Forced circulation solar drying system

• Roof integrated unglazed solar drying system

• Conversion of fruit and vegetable residues to biogas and manure

• Conversion of kitchen residues to biogas and manure

• Biogas generation from agro-industrial effluents

• Open core down draft gasifier systems

• High efficiency biomass combustor-cum-hot air generator

• Improved biomass cook stoves

• Movable platform type wood cutter for preparing feedstock for gasifier

The contact point is:Ms. P. B. DaveSPA to Director

Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute

Post Box No.2, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120, Gujarat, IndiaPhone : 02692 - 231332, 235011Fax : 02691 - 237982E-mail : info@spreri.org; director@spreri.orgWebsite : www.spreri.org Des

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