Advances in Waste Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy

N. Nirmala is basically a Microbiologist and has 11 Years of research experience. I am presently designated as Scientist-C, at Centre for Waste Management, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology. I have acquired B.Sc and M.Sc degree from Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai and Ph.D in the Department of Biotechnology, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology. She has around 28 publications in reputed journals and has three grant patent in Compact Sensor System for Train Compartment Wash Basin Water Recovery and 6 published patents by contributing in algal reject bio-plastic and Algal biofuel to her credit. She has around 17 book chapters published and edited 2 books entitled “Carbon- Based Materials and Environmental Remediation: Graphene, Biochar, and More” and “Environmental Applications of Carbon- Based Materials” published by IGI Global Publishers. She has also submitted the nucleotide sequence of Chlorella variabilis to Gene Bank and received an accession number. She has also completed many consultancy projects like modification of Lichens by Thermophilic Genes for Absorption of Excessive Carbon Dioxide and Bioenergy Production, Algae cultivation for extraction of lipids and its blend with, Jet fuel for its performance, combustion and emission analysis, Bioremediation of Mercury using a plant extract of Smilax zylanica. She is presently operating Science, Technology and Innovation Hub (STI- HUB) in Kattumannar Koil, CD Block, Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu funded by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, for the period of three years from 2022 to 2025. She has also successfully completed the project funded by UNNAT BHARAT, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, IIT, Delhi. Government of India project for making incense sticks from ritual waste. She presently works on Biodegradation of organic municipal solid waste using Enzymes enriched organic formulation (EEOF). She has also established a Microenterprise called POOMANAM at Kumizhi Village for the production of Incense sticks from Ritual Waste to the self-help group women. Microbial Oil extraction for Bio-fuel application is the major research focus, apart from this Biodiesel production from Different oil sources are some of her research activities. She is good in handling sophisticated Instrument YL clarity 6500 Gas Chromatography equipped with FID and TCD detector and Scanning Electron Microscope, Optical Microscope, Epifluoresence Microscope and Biodiesel Characterization Instruments like Viscometer, Copper strip corrosion test bomb, Flash point and Fire point, Cloud point and pour point, Digital Bomb Calorimeter Test etc. She is good in Analytical studies of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Gas Chromatography, Polymerase Chain Reaction etc. Her research interest focuses on Biomass and bioenergy, Waste Valorization, Waste water Treatment, Remediation technologies, Biodegradable biopolymers.

J. Arun has completed B.Tech.(2014) in Biotechnology from KVCET, Anna University, M.Tech.(2016) in Biotechnology from SRM University and Ph.D. (2020) from SSN college of Engineering, Anna University, Chennai. He has joined Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology in March 2020. He has published 63 research papers in referred international journals and 3 research papers in proceedings of international conferences and 7 Book chapters in international publishers. He has organized and attended many conferences, workshops, trainings, symposiums and seminars at both national and international level. He is currently running a DST funded project (Science Technology and Innovation Hub in Kattumannar Koil, CD Block, Cuddalore District). He is a recognized PhD supervisor of Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai. His current research work includes value addition of waste, hydrothermal process, catalysis and nanoparticles, Energy and environment, Methanation, steam reforming, green fuels.

Dawn S S is a Chemical Engineer and has 14 years of both academic and research experience. She acquired her Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from Sathyabama University, M.Tech in Petroleum Refining and Petrochemicals from Anna University Chennai and B. Tech in Chemical Engineering from the University of Madras. She is presently designated as Scientist-E and is the head for Centre for Waste Management in Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology. She has around 25 publications in reputed Journals and has authored a book entitled Bio& Enzyme Engineering. Also edited 1 book in CRC press. She has completed 6 projects that are sanctioned by Vikram Sarabhai Space (VSSC)-ISRO, MHRD, Unnat bharat abhiyan and DST. She has also successfully carried out the Feasibility Studies for the Production of Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil generated in Sathyabama University mess, a collaborative effort of Sathyabama University and Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai that has led to the establishment of a 50 L Pilot Plant set-up, a Bioenergy Component in the Centre of Excellence for Energy Research funded by MHRD. She has filed 3 patents. Though her specialization is alternate fuels, she has been into the development of zero liquid discharge processes which is evident from the biodiesel wash water studies for effective reuse that she has pursued. She is also presently operating Science Technology and Innovation Hub in Kattumannar Koil, CD Block, Cuddalore District, funded by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.