Publications
Energy Management Controls in Cooling Plants
Article
| January 20, 2018
With cooling systems accounting for maximum energy consumption, a monitoring and controlling system can help reduce costs and consumption. In India, the building sector accounts for approximately 35% of the total energy consumption and is growing at a rate of 8% annually (Bureau of Energy Efficiency). Commercial buildings in India account for nearly 8% of the total electricity supplied by the utilities. Electricity usage in the sectors has been growing at about 11%–12% annually. Building energy consumption has seen an increase from14% in the 1970s to nearly 33% in 2004/05.
Resettling India's urban poor sustainably
Article
| January 20, 2018
In a bid to resettle the urban poor, local governments are rapidly constructing houses using cheap, energy-inefficient material causing discomfort to the occupants in the long run. Given this, can participation from the private sector and deployment of local resources help in providing smart, affordable housing to them?
An Assessment of Ground Water Potential for state of Kerala, India: A Case Study
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
The southern state of Kerala in India, known as ‘God’s Own Country’, is blessed with plenty of water resources that include chains of backwater bodies, rivers, reservoirs, lakes, ponds, springs and wells. Although, the state receives abundant rainfall throughout the year, the region’s topography and soil characteristics, combined with rapid urbanization are causing significant stress to its ground water level. Therefore, it has become imperative for researchers, scientists, administrators, and policy-makers to analyze the present ground water situation of the state.
Applications of microalgal biofilms for wastewater treatment and bioenergy production
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Microalgae have shown clear advantages for the production of biofuels compared with energy crops.Apart from their high growth rates and substantial lipid/triacylglycerol yields, microalgae can grow in wastewaters (animal, municipal and mining wastewaters) efficiently removing their primary nutrients (C, N, and P), heavy metals and micropollutants, and they do not compete with crops for arable lands.
Bioelectrochemical enhancement of direct interspecies electron transfer in upflow anaerobic reactor with effluent recirculation for acidic distillery wastewater
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Methane production in the upflow anaerobic bioelectrochemical reactor (UABE) treating acidic distillery wastewater was compared to the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB), and the electron transfer pathways for methane production were also evaluated in the effluent recirculation. The methane productions from reactors were influenced by the low pH of influent wastewater. However, the methane production rate and yield of the UABE were 2.08 L/L.d and 320 mL/g CODr, which were higher than the UASB.
Characteristics of the Ozone pollution and its health effects in India
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Surface level ozone is one of the important air pollutants. It is formed by the reaction of atmospheric pollutants in the presence of sunlight. The surface ozone shows temporal and spatial variations in the country. The levels are maximum during summer and minimum in monsoon seasons. The levels are maximum during daytime and minimum during night or early morning. In India, surface ozone levels are above the recommended threshold of 8 hour average of 100 μg/m3 for air quality monitoring at various stations. Exposure to high levels of surface ozone causes number of health problems.
Characterization of a Novel Polymeric Bioflocculant Produced from Bacterial Utilization of n-Hexadecane and Its Application in Removal of Heavy Metals
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
A novel polymeric bioflocculant was produced by a bacterium utilizing degradation of n-hexadecane as the energy source. The bioflocculant was produced with a bioflocculating activity of 87.8%. The hydrocarbon degradation was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and was further supported with contact angle measurements for the changes in hydrophobic nature of the culture medium. A specific aerobic degradation pathway followed by the bacterium during the bioflocculant production and hydrocarbon utilization process has been proposed.
Development of models for prediction of the energy content of disposed MSW from an unsecured landfill
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
This research was undertaken to estimate the energy potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposed over the past 15 years in an unsecured landfill located in Okhla, Delhi, India. The research collected a total of 98 samples from various depths and locations, which were analyzed for physico-chemical characterization. Multiple regression models for estimating the energy content of the disposed MSW were developed to predict average gross calorific value (GCV) and net calorific value (NCV).
Empowerment of Women Through Tasar Sericulture Activities in Jharkhand State
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Jharkand is a newly created state in India, rich in forest and tribal population. The State is known for tasar sericulture and production of highest tasar silk in India. The State Department of Handloom, Sericulture and Handicraft (DHS&H), has been striving hard for promotion of sericulture in the state by launching several projects. Jharkhand Silk Textile and Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd (Jharcraft) in the state is responsible for promoting post cocoon sericultural activities form cocoon to fabric for livelihood enhancement of rural and tribal population.
Exploring the nature of rural energy transition in India :Insights from case studies of eight villages in Bihar
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of rural energy transition in cooking options in India. Although India is aiming to achieve a double-digit economic growth, a large share of rural households still rely on firewood for cooking which not only has serious repercussions of increasing indoor pollution but also has a concomitant adverse effect on women and child morbidity and mortality. However, transition to clean energy options like improved cookstoves for these households may not be necessarily linear.