ABOUT DIRECTOR

	Dr. H S Maiti Director Phone: 483-5829 E-mail : cscgcri@giascl01.vsnl.net.in
Educational Background	B.E. (Metallurgy) from B.E College, Sibpur (Calcutta University) M Tech from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur Ph.D (Tech) from IIT, Kanpur Post doctoral fellow under Common Wealth Fellowship programme of Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, U.K.
Previous assignments	Lecturer at IIT, Khragpur (1974 -1978) Asstt. Professor at IIT, Kharagpur (1979-1986) Senior Scientist at CGCRI (1987-98) Director of CGCRI since 1999
Field of Research	Basic and applied research in advanced ceramics particularly in the area ceramic dielectrics, ceramic sensors, solid oxide,fuel cell as well as ceramic membrane.
Publication	About 100 publications in national and international journals of repute
Honorary membership	Member of Programme Advisory Committee of  Department of Science &  Technology on Metal, Materials and Mining Engineering. Secretary of Indian Institute of Ceramics  Editor of Transactions of Indian Ceramic Society
Awards	Deokaran and Ganpule award given by Indian Ceramic Society MRSI Medal given by Materials Research Society of India

BRIEF OVERVIEW

Optical Materials and Speciality Glass

 Optical glass technology has been developed from the very beginning since this know-how is closely guarded by the developed countries and therefore not available. Several varieties of barium crown and flint glass which meet international quality standards are being regularly produced in the Institute’s pilot plant and supplied to the defence and optical instruments industries. Special mention may be made of optical glass varieties for withstanding the undesirable colouring effects of sunlight and other radiation and shielding against nuclear radiation, laser glasses for high energy sources, near zero expansion glass ceramics for optical instruments, thin sheets of pure silica glass for solar panels, etc. which have been developed for various high-tech applications. A new range of optical glasses including lanthanum glasses is expected to go into production soon to meet the country’s emerging needs.

Special glasses like radio-photoluminescent glass for use in dosimeters and micronutrient glass frit for optimising the yield of rapeseed and mustard in agriculture have been developed. Machinable glass-ceramics for use in high-vacuum systems has been developed in lab scale. Development of gradient index glass plates for use in Mirage and LCA has been undertaken. The development of optical communication fibres in the country was pioneered by CGCRI. Optical fibres for short-haul communication as well as fibres capable of withstanding hostile environment like laser and radioactivity, polarisation maintaining fibres used in gyros for airborne devices, fibre optic sensors and amplifiers are some of the products developed by the Institute. On-going programmes aim at developing optical fibres for application in emerging areas of superior amplifiers for WDM and DWDM system telecommunication and microlasers.

Advanced Ceramics

Highly pure alumina ceramics have been developed and used in the fabrication of hip-joint prostheses with ceramic heads. These were successfully implanted in more than fifty patients at reputable hospitals in Calcutta and Delhi. Partnership with industry is being sought for the commercialisation of the process to bring affordable health-care to the masses. Bioactive integrated orbital implant is currently under development.

 Ceramics with excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures have also been developed – silicon nitride for engine components, silicon carbide for recuperators of thermal plants and components of space-craft, boron nitride for aircraft brake lining pads, etc. Materials like aluminium nitride, SIAION and composites of other non-oxides are also being developed for highly specialised uses.

Ceramic membranes are superior to polymeric ones as they are chemically inert and have better mechanical properties. CGCRI has taken up work on the development of ceramic membranes for the first time in India for applications in water purification including effective removal of arsenic, micro-and ultra-filtration in biotech industry and similar areas. Membrane module for purification of ground water and rice bran oil have been successfully developed in pilot plant scale.

Pure fine powders of barium titanate suitable for the electronic industry have been prepared. Various ceramic sensors for detection of LPG gas in homes and humidity (trace moisture) in ceramic-manufacturing units as well as PTC and sensors for the detection of toxic and flammable gases like carbon monoxide and methane for use in mines to ensure the safety of personnel have also been developed. The Institute is also working on the development of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for providing pollution-free energy. Work aimed at developing multiplayer piezoelectric activators as part of the National Programme of Smart Materials has recently been initiated.

Composites combining the advantages of the constituent materials have also been prepared; glass-reinforced gypsum as wood substitute and lightweight jute-glass hybrid composite for making engineering components like fans, railway tract junction boxes and shutters of railway coaches.

Ceramic Coatings

Glass-ceramic coatings for the protection of metal surfaces against wear and tear, high temperature and chemical corrosion have been developed for industries such as the aeronautics, chemical, textile, thermal power plants, etc. Coatings for nimonic-alloy components of aeroengines are being used by HAL (Koraput) for several years now. Technologies have been successfully transferred to the chemical industries for coating reaction vessels. A process for gold coatings on brass has been developed for application on decorative components and fittings in the building industry. Development of metal ceramic joints through glass-ceramic seals and also by metallisation is in progress.

Refractories

A wide range of refractories for steel, cement, glass and other industries has been developed. Products include different varieties of cement free castables which are self-flowing and can be used for linings of industrial furnaces replacing the conventional castables. Sillimanite bricks from beach sand, garnet, dolo-mag and magnesite bricks, high-alumina refractories, mag-crome aggregates and hydration-resistant lime sinters are some of the recently developed products. Rice husk ash nodules have been very effective as insulating material over ladles used for molten metal handling in the steel industry. Several of the processes relating to refractories have been commercialised by the licensees of the processes.

Sol-Gel Derived Glass and Ceramic Materials

The sol-gel technique of preparing glass and ceramics has revolutionised the field of material synthesis. By this technique it has become possible to prepare highly pure and exotic materials at relatively low temperatures. In India, CGCRI has pioneered research in this area and emerged as a centre of considerable repute. Anti-reflective and anti-glare coating on glass including radiation shielding windows, laser glass and ophthalmic lenses, laser damage-resistant coatings on laser glass surfaces, plasma-sprayable zirconia powders for coating of metals, silica glass, coatings on plastic substrates etc., have been successfully developed so far. Low emissivity coatings as well as thermochromic and electrochromic layers for smart windows are currently being developed.

Appropriate Technologies for Rural/Small Scale Sectors

The Institute set up the Ceramic Centre for Rural Development (CCRD) at Bankura, West Bengal, in 1988. This centre has since been handed over to the state government and local bodies and continues to serve the rural potters’ community by way of facilities for processing raw materials and firing products in the ceramic kiln of higher thermal efficiency constructed at the site by CGCRI. The Institute continues to provide technical assistance for utilisation of inexpensive, locally available clays for making ceramics, terracotta articles, ceramic sanitaryware etc. The products have greater marketability due to better quality and diversification of product range.

With partial financial support from the respective state governments, the institute has established two centres at Naroda in Gujarat and Khurja in U.P. which are rendering yeoman’s service in evaluation of the raw material resources of the respective regions, development of appropriate ceramic products based on these resources, dissemination of know-how through training-cum-demonstration programmes.

Technical assistance is actively provided to the industries and entrepreneurs by way of know-how, testing of raw materials and products, training of personnel etc. Developed products include glazed and unglazed tiles, roofing and facing tiles, ceramic sanitaryware, terracotta, bone china, black pottery and lead-free blue pottery from inexpensive local clay materials. Glass, ceramics, and related materials are increasingly becoming the materials of choice in the emerging technological scenario and the Institute has been playing a significant role in these developments. The CGCRI is now poised to take on the challenges of the new millennium with the development of several new products and processes for the future requirements, e.g. solid oxide fuel cell, advanced refractories and new generations of glass including optical fibres, ceramics and composite materials for various specialised applications.

The galaxy of directors who steered the activities of the Institute for five decades were the late Dr. Atma Ram, Shri K.D. Sharma, Dr. S. Kumar, Dr. B.K. Sarkar, Dr. C. Ganguly and the present Director, Dr. H. S. Maiti.
 

WORKSHOP

LOCATION

	Nearest Railway Stations: Howrah  Station Sealdah  Station Nearest Airport:  Netaji Subhas International Airport         About West Bengal About Calcutta

CONTACT

Background

 At the instance of Indian Desalination Association, Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata, undertook the initiative to host the above Conference.  A preparatory meeting for organising the above conference was held on July 23, 2001 with representatives from all concerned organizations  in the State. A decision to organise the above Conference was taken in the above meeting. It has also been  identified that the Conference would primarily  highlight the drinking water issues like evolving cost effective technology for rural water supply, field  application of membrane technology and treatment of  water with high TDS value.
 

Announcement

It is a great pleasure to announce that for the first time annual conference of Indian Desalination Association is being held in Kolkata. It is proposed to organize the conference in collaboration with various organizations/institutions concerned with drinking water related issues like Public Health Engineering Directorate, Govt. of West Bengal (PHED, GWB), Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Sundarban Affairs Department, Govt. of West Bengal  Jadavpur University. The Conference is likely to be sponsored by  Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission, Dept of Drinking Water Supply, GOI, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, All India Council of Technical Education; Board of Research in Nuclear Science, Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India. UNICEF, WHO, BHEL, HUDCO. Several distinguished experts from abroad are also expected to deliver invited lectures in different technical Sessions. The conference aims at bringing together the academicians, technologists, policy makers and end-users to promote mutual interaction and evolving appropriate strategies for safe drinking water supply.
 

Theme

Water scarcity, sustainable development and integrated water management is a global issue of prime consideration in this century. Drinking water scenario is worsening gradually with increased human activity towards industrialization. Surface water quality is found to registrar an upward trend in microbial load and toxic metal concentration. Groundwater  is not only being contaminated with more and more iron, arsenic, fluoride, total dissolved solids or salinity as well as  possibly nitrate and chloride, the water level is going down steadily necessitating construction of deep tube well for taping underground aquifers to cater   drinking water requirement. Providing safe drinking  water to more than one billion population of  our country  would be the most demanding challenge for the policy planners, scientists and technologists engaged in water management.

In this context, newer water treatment technologies can play a major role in tackling the problem of deteriorating water quality. The need of the hour is identification and adoption appropriate technologies for field application with an emphasis on development of small/medium capacity plant for semi- urban and rural sector.

Interest in membrane technology has grown rapidly over the past 20 years or so and the use of membrane filtration plants for the treatment of drinking water supplies is gaining acceptance worldwide. Membrane filtration of public water supplies is increasingly justified on the grounds of public health. The first large-scale plant in UK was installed during 1996 and the combined capacity of plants installed now exceeds 400 mld. The US has more than 40 large municipal plants with a combined capacity of over 750 mld. Mega desalination plants of 1 mgd capacity based on RO/Thermal desalination have been developed in India which may help in augmenting water supply of coastal region. Medium capacity ED plants have also been installed to provide water in the desert area.

Investigations have, however, shown that the permeability of membranes is a affected by feed water quality leading to fouling and scaling problems. Membrane filtration system manufacturers have a standard back-wash method and a  number of possibilities for cleaning. The back-wash interval and duration, the need for chemically enhanced back-washing, or a clean-in-place (CIP) system will depend on feed quality, and on the characteristics of the membrane which is being used. As membranes are a comparatively new technology for the water industry, the present Conference is aimed to deal all relevant aspects and have a threadbare discussion with a view to evolve a common strategy to derive the benefits for gainful utilisation.

Technical Session

In line with the theme of the Conference for consolidating the experience the field application of membrane technology and their performance for treatment water of high TDS value as well as to  evolve a cost effective technology for rural supply, the following technical sessions have been planned tentatively :
 

•  Existing  status of water treatment technologies for urban and rural water supply
•  Drinking water problems and  health aspects
•  Newer membrane materials and their performance
•  Feed pre-treatment and membrane fouling
•  Membrane based technologies using MF, UF and  NF for drinking water
•  Treatment of contaminated water sources for removal of arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, etc.
•  Desalination and water reuse
•  Water pollution control and sustained technologies

Call for papers

Authors intending to present paper(s) in technical sessions may submit the abstract (in A4 size) and full paper(s) within the schedule date as an e-mail file attachment in MS Word. Abstract should be submitted with a para describing the results and a few references. One hard copy of the abstract and a floppy containing full paper(s) is also required to be submitted with full postal address, telephone, fax No. and e-mail I.D. of the corresponding author(s).

Guideline for preparation of paper/abstract
 
 

Delegates from Advertiser/Exhibitors (max. 2) and Sponsoring Agencies (max. 3) are entitled to attend  the Conference without payment of Registration Fees.

ADVERTISEMENT
 

Half Page	Rs. 2000/-	Full Page	Rs. 3000/-
Front / Back Cover (Inside)	Rs. 5000/-	Colour Page (3 colour)	Rs. 4500/-
Back Cover (Outside)	Rs. 8000/-	Banner/ Board	Rs. 5,000/-

   The matter for advertisement should be submitted along with design and negatives for colour printing.

EXHIBITION SPACE ( 6'x  3' ) / BOARD :  Rs. 5000/-

Limited number of guest house accommodation would be available (with advance payment of Rs. 500/- ) on first cum first serve basis.
 
 

To
Dr. S. Bandyopadhyay
Organising Secretary & Head, Ceramic Membrane Section
Central Glass &  Ceramic Research Institute
196, RAJA S. C. MULLICK ROAD, KOLKATA – 700 032 (INDIA)
FAX : (0091) (033) 4730957/483-8085
E-mail :indaconf@rediffmail.com

Dear Sir,

     I/we  am/are interested  a) in submitting a paper for oral / poster  presentation b) to participate in the conference c) to insert an advertisement half page/ front/back cover ( inside)/back cover (outside) d) to put up an Exhibition / to take part in the Excursion. Necessary particulars are given below :
 

Name	:	Prof / Dr. / Mr. / Ms
Designation	:
Organization	:
Mailing Address	:
Phone	:
Fax	:
Email	:

 

Whether InDA Member     :    Yes / No.            If yes, Membership No. ----------------------------

Accompanying Persons      :
 

I am enclosing herewith a Local Cheque / DD No. --------------------------------------     Dated ------------------ for US $ / Rs.--------------- in favour  of “Kolkata Conference of InDA" drawn on SBI Jadavpur University Branch  payable at Kolkata towards the payment of  Registration Fees/ Accommodation Advertisement/Exhibition / Excursion.

 

Date :
Place :                                                                                                                      (Signature)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Registration Form or its xerox copy (duly filled in block letters) along with the Cheque/Draft may please be submitted preferably by February 01, 2002.  Strike out whichever is not applicable. An additional amount of Rs.30/- is to be paid for outstation cheques. The matter for advertisement should be submitted along with design and negative for colour printing. Advance Guest House accommodation booking fee is Rs. 500/- (first come first serve basis). Interested delegates may remit an advance of Rs. 500/- towards Excursion/Field Visit along with Registration Fee.

Organisers

PATRONS
 

1. Sri Goutam Deb, Hon’ble Minister for Housing & Public Health Engineering, GWB 2.  Sri Ashoke Bhattacharya, Hon’ble Minister for Municipal Affairs & Urban Development,GWB 3.  Sri Nanda Gopal Bhattacharjee, Hon’ble Minister for Water Investigation & Development,GWB 4.  Sri Kanti Ganguly, Hon’ble Minister of  State for Sundarban Affairs Department,GWB 5.  Sri S. K.Tripathi, IAS, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water Supply, MRD, GOI 6.  Dr. D. K.Chadha, Chairman, CGWB 7.  Sri B. Bhattacharjee, Director, BARC 8.  Sri M. K. Mittal, Director, ER&D, BHEL 9.  Sri V. Suresh, Chairman & Managing Director, HUDCO

NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
 

1.   Prof. D Chakraborty, President, Materials Research Society of India
2.   Dr. S P Sinha Roy ,  Member, CGWB,  New Delhi
3.   Mr. B. Sengupta,  Adviser, CMDA, Kolkata
4.   Dr.  Ram Gopal, Director,DL, Jodhpur & Chairman, InDA
5.   Mr. P. K. Chakraborty,  Additional Adviser, RGNDWM
6.   Dr.  B M Misra, Head,Desalination Div., BARC
7.   Dr. B. Chakraborty,MD, GMS (P) Ltd.
8.   Dr.  S. Pravakar, Secretary, InDA
9.   Prof. H.S.Roy, Emeritus Scientist, CGCRI
10. Dr.  Paul Rathasamy,  Director, NCL
11. Dr. P. K. Ghosh,  Director, CSMCRI
12. Dr.    Singh,  Director, NEERI / Dr. R.  N. Singh
13. Prof. S.K. Sanyal,  Dean, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, JU
14. Mr.Ajoy Popat,  Vice President, Ion Exchange (I) Ltd.
15. Mr. S. A. Dutta, Executive Director, DCL
16. Mr. M M Dutta, National Programme Officer, WHO

ORGANISING COMMITTEE
 
 

1. Chairman , CGCRI	Dr. H.S.Maiti
2. Vice Chairman,         Chief Engineer, CMDA         Chief Engineer, CMC          Chief Engineer, PHED	Dr. Swadesh Bhattacharjee Mr. Dibyendu Roychowdhury Mr. Priyotosh Mitra
3.  Organising Secretary , CGCRI	Dr. S. Bandyopadhyay
4. Members (Technical Sub Committee )        IIChE, CRC         AIIHPH         JU	Prof. S. Basu Prof. A.  Majumdar  Dr. C. Bhattacharjee
5.   Treasurer, CGCRI	Mr. B P Ghosh
6. Member ( Press & Publication)           CGCRI           IWWA:	Dr. S. Ghatak Mr. A.K. Sarkar
7. Member (Convener, Exhibition, Transport & Accommodation ):           CGCRI           CSIR- H.Q            PHED, GWB            Ion Exchange(I) Ltd	Mr. A. Majumdar Ms. S. Chakraborty Mr. Gautam Roychowdhury Ms. Ranjana Dutta
8. Member  (Convener  Reception, Conference Arrangement) :            CGCRI            CMSWA	Dr. S N. Roy  Mr. Rajat Mohan Chatterjee
9. Member (Convener Finance &  Co-ordination) :            PHED GWB            JU	Mr. R N. Saraswati Prof. S. Dutta
10 Member  Health & Family Welfare GWB	Dr. B. K. De
11.  Member  SWID GWB	Dr.  Alok Ghosh
12. Member WBPCB  GWB	Mr. Biman Bose
13. Member  CGWB  GOI	Dr. S. Chakladar
14. Member  CPCB   GOI.	Mr. B R Naidu
15. Member NEERI	Mr. A. K.  Biswas
16. Member  DCL	Mr. Sudin Kumar Dey
17.Member  UNICEF	Mr. Chandan Sengupta

**********************************************
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
 

Dr. H.S. Maiti	Director,CGCRI	Chairman
Dr. Swades Kr. Bhattacharya	Chief Engineer,CMDA	Vice Chairman
Mr. Priyotosh Mitra	Chief Engineer,PHED	Vice Chairman
Mr. Dibyendu Roychowdhury	Chief Engineer,CMC	Vice Chairman
Dr. S. Bandyopadhyay	Scientist,CGCRI	Organising Secretary
Prof. S. Basu	Chairman, IIChE (CRC)	Convener,Technical Sub-Committee
Prof. A. Majumdar	Head, Sanitary Engineering, AIIHPH	Member
Dr. C. Bhattacharjee	Reader, Chemical Engineering Department, JU	Member
Dr. S. Ghatak	Scientist, CGCRI	Convener, Press & Publication
Mr. A. K. Sarkar	Secretary, IWWA	Member
Mr. A. Majumdar	Scientist,CGCRI	Convener,Exhibition,Transport  &Accommodation
Ms. S. Chakraborty	Scientist, STMD,CSIR	Member
Mr. Gautam Roychowdhury	Exec. Engineer, PHED,GWb	Member
Ms. Ranjana Datta	Exe. Corporate Marketing	Member
Dr. S.N. Roy	Scientist, CGCRI	Convener, Reception & Conference Arrangement
Mr. A. K. Biswas	Head, CZL, NEERI	Member
Mr. Rajat Mohan Chatterjee	Supdt. Engg.near CMSWA, GWB	Member
Mr. R.N Saraswati	Exe. Engineer, PHED	Convener, Finance and Co-ordination
Prof. S. Dutta	Chemical Engineering Department,JU	Member
Mr. B.P. Ghosh	Scientist, CGCRI	Treasurer
Dr. B.K De	Health and Family Welfare, GWB	Member
Dr. Alok Ghosh	Director, SWID, CWB	Member
Mr. Biman Bose	Chief Engineer,WBPCB, GWB	Member
Dr. S. Chakladar	Scientist – in – charge, CGWB, GOI	Member
Mr. B.R. Naidu	Zonal Officer, CPCB, GOI	Member
Mr. Sudhin Kumar Dey	Chief Engineer, DCL	Member
Mr. Chandan Sengupta	Project officer, UNICEF	Member

*********************************************
 

Ceramic Membrane Section (Engineering Ceramics Division)
 

R&D Staff Strength

Dr. H.S. Maiti , Director & Divisional Head
Dr. Sibdas Bandyopadhyay, Scientist & Sectional Head
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ghosh, Scientist
Dr. Soumendra Nath Roy, Scientist
Mr. Prasanta Roy, Scientist
Mr. Mainak  Majumdar, Scientist
Mr. Uday Bhanu Adhikary, Technical Officer
 
 

FACILITIES AVAILABLE
 

1.Complete Filter Analyser, PMI, USA 2.Mastersizer – 2000 Laser Size Analyser,  Malvern Instruments Ltd,UK 3.Zetasizer –1000HS Submicron Particle Size Analyser, Malvern Instruments Ltd, UK 4.Microfiltration Unit  for purification of surface and sub-surface water 5.Arsenic Filter Unit (100LPH Capacity) 6.Membrane Filtration Unit  for processing RBO-Hexane miscella (10 LPD) 7.Surface Area – Pore Volume Analyser* 8.Gel Permeation Chromatography* 9.Twin Screw Extruder* 10.Rapid Heating High Temperature Furnace (1700oC)* * Being Procured

 
 

ONGOING R&D ACTIVITIES

i) Development of technology package for ceramic membrane module for ultrafiltration of vegetable oils for physical refining  :

Summary :       The age old process for refining vegetable oils causes considerable loss of neutral oil during the neutralization stage creating environmental problems for disposal of soap stock, acid, oil etc. Physical refining is considered to be the effective process for refining high FFA oils like rice barn oil (RBO). Due to lack of proper processing technology hardly 10 % of the total potential of rice barn oil is presently utilized for edible purpose Technological intervention is essential for tapping the vast resources of rice barn oil to bridge the demand supply gap of the edible oil in the country. All over the world, attempt is being made to use membrane filtration technique for removal of various non-volatile impurities from the crude oils to make it suitable for physical refining. Use of solvent resistant ceramic membranes for cross flow filtration of hexane containing RBO miscella has been identified as the most prospective approach for commercial application. The present proposal aims at development and upscaling of ceramic UF membranes for tailor made application in vegetable oil processing as well as development of ultrafiltration technique for production of filtered oil suitable for physical refining with recovery of by-products. The expertise and available resources of the two CSIR laboratories CGCRI, Kolkata and IICT, Hyderabad) have been pulled to develop an indigenous technology package for refining vegetable oils particularly the rice barn oil and test the same in pilot scale level for demonstrating the advantages of membrane degumming technique to the industry.
Duration : From April 2001 to March 2003
Total cost : Rs. 103 lakhs (CGCRI 75 lakhs)
Funding agency : Department of Agriculture & Co-operation, Min. of Agriculture

 ii) Upscaling of ceramic filter and system design for potablization of sub- surface water and arsenic contaminated ground water for community supply:

Summary : Arsenic contamination of ground water used for drinking purpose has emerged as a serious public health threat in India particularly in West Bengal. As there is no clinical treatment for the acute cases owing to consumption of arsenic laden water, supply of arsenic free water is considered to be of prime importance in tackling the problem. The activities of the project include standardizing of conditions for fabrication of 1 metre long ceramic filter tubes and study the performance of arsenic removal unit for treatment of contaminated ground water along with provision for sludge encapsulation.

Duration : From Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2003
Total cost : Rs. 14.8 lakhs
Funding agency : Rajiv Gandhi National water Mission, Dept. of drinking water supply
                                      Min. of Rural Development

iii) Optimization of process parameters and upscaling of ceramic membrane technology for refining rice bran oil in the miscella stage.
 

Summary: In order to mitigate the gap between total requirements and the net availability of edible oils, it becomes imperative to promote effective utilization of oil resources in the country particularly by tapping the vast potential of rice barn oil (RBO). In view of this, R&D activities are being conducted at CGCRI with the ultimate goal of developing a complete technology package for purification of rice barn oil using porous ceramic membrane filters. The specific objectives of the present investigation are optimization of process parameters for pretreatment of rice bran oil miscella.

Duration : From April 2000 to March 2002
Total cost : Rs. 23.8 lakhs

Funding agency: Directorate of Vanaspati, vegetable oils and fats, Department of Sugar and Edible oils, Ministry of consumer affairs and public distribution, Govt. of India

 PROJECTS COMPLETED
 

Sl. No.	PROJECT TITLE DURATION	CONRACT VALUE (SPONSOR)	ACHIEVEMENT
1.	Design & Development of Ceramic Membrane Module for Removal of Suspended Impurities & Microorganisms from Surface and Sub-surface Water (May’95   - March’98)	Rs. 4.99 lakhs (RGNDWM, GOI)	Development of low cost macro porous support of 2-15 µm pore size and Al2O3 membrane of 0.1 µm pore size.
2.	Development of Micro and Ultrafiltration Techniques using Ceramic Membrane Filters for Refining of Rice Bran Oil (April’96  - March’99)	Rs. 24.5 lakhs (TMOP & M, GOI )	Process suitable for pretreatment of Rice Bran Oil using crossflow filtration technique.
3.	Development of Ceramic Membrane Disc for Biotechnological Application (April’95 -  June’98)	Rs. 21.---lakhs (Department of Biotechnology, GOI)	Process for preparation of thin ceramic MF membrane disc sealed within perforated support and guard ring.

Ph.D’S /M. TECHS AWARDED
 
 

Name of Student	Topic	Degree awarded	Year	Guide(s)
Ms. Nandini Das	Development of  Tape Cast Ceramic Membrane Disc for Microfiltration Application	Ph.D in  Engineering  of Calcutta University	2000	Dr. H.S. Maiti
Ms. Baishali Sinha	Separation of Microorganisms from surface and waste water by Ceramic Membrane	Master of Biomedical Engineering of Jadavpur Univeristy	1999	Dr. S.Bandyopadhyay & Prof. S. Pal
Mr. D. Palani	Some studies on development of Porous Ceramic with Bioactive Coating	Master of Biomedical Engineering of Jadavpur University	2000	Dr. S.Bandyopadhyay                 & Prof. S. Pal
Mr. Saurav   Datta	Some studies on development of Porous Ceramic with Bioactive Coating	Master of Biomedical Engineering of Jadavpur University	2000	Dr. S.Bandyopadhyay &  Prof. S. Pal
Mr. Rajdeep Sinha Roy	A Study on the Optimization of Mechanical Properties of Porous Bioceramics	Master of Biomedical Engineering of Jadavpur University	2001	Dr. S.Bandyopadhyay &  Prof. S. Pal

Publications
1.N.Das, S. Bandyopadhyay, D. Chattopadhyay, H.S. Maiti, “ Tape-cast Ceramic Membranes for Microfiltration Application”, J. Mater. Sci. 31(1996),5221
2. N. Das, H.S. Maiti, “ Formation of Pore Structure in Tape-cast Alumina Membranes-effects of binder content and firing temperature”, J. Memb. Sci. 140(1998)205-12
3. N.Das, H.S. Maiti, “ Effect of size distribution of the starting powder on the pore size and its distribution of tape-cast alumina microporous membrane” J.Euro.Ceram.Soc.19(1999)341-45
4. S. Bandyopadhyay, S.N. Roy, H.S. Maiti “ Development of Ceramic Membranes for Microfiltration Application”  Presented at 12th Annual Meeting, May 15 – 20, 2001Lexington, Kentucky, USA
5. N.Das, D. Chattopadhyay, S. Bandyopadhyay, H.S. Maiti “ Use of Inorganic Binders in Fabrication of Thin Ceramic Disc Suitable for Microfiltration Application”     CR 49, 6th Annual General Meeting , Materials Research Society of India, February 8 – 10, 1995, IIT Kharagpur
6. S.N. Roy, D. Chattopadhyay, S. Bandyopadhyay and H.S. Maiti, “ Preparation of thin multilayer ceramic membranes – a new approach”, presented at the 13 th International Conference on Membranes held at Karnataka University, Dharwad, February 28-March1, 1995
7.S. Bandyopadhyay, S.N. Roy, H.S. Maiti “Development of Ceramic Membranes for Microfiltration Application” Presented at 12th Annual Meeting, May 15 – 20, 2001Lexington, Kentucky, USA

Patents
1. S.N. Roy, S. Bandyopadhyay, B.P. Ghosh, H.S. Maiti, “ A process for making porous ceramics for pressure filtration” NF/234/2001
2. S. Bandyopadhyay, D. Kundu, S.N. Roy, H.S. Maiti,” A process for preparing arsenic free (<10 ppb) water from arsenic contaminated ground water and an equipment _herefore” NF/235/2001
3. D. Chattopadhyay, N.Das, S. Bandyopadhyay, H.S. Maiti “ A novel ceramic composition useful for making thin ceramic microfiltration membranes, a process for making thin ceramic microfiltration membranes thereof and thin ceramic microfiltration membranes system made therefrom” NF/247/2001

Contact :
Dr. S Bandyopadhyay
Organising Secretary
Scientist & Head, Ceramic Membrane Section
Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute
196 Raja S C Mullick Road
P.O. Jadavpur University
Kolkata - 700 032, India
Fax : 91-033-473 0957/ 91-033-483 8085
E-mail: indaconf@rediffmail.com
 
 

Contact :

Dr. S Bandyopadhyay
Organising Secretary
Scientist & Head, Ceramic Membrane Section
Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute
196 Raja S C Mullick Road
P.O. Jadavpur University
Kolkata - 700 032, India
Fax : 91-033-473 0957/ 91-033-483 8085
E-mail: membraneworkshop@rediffmail.com