This section presents a summary of the research projects which I have done in addition to regular academic courses at IIT Guwahati:

1) Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene: Modeling, Simulation and Validation, Anlagensteuerungstechnik (Process Control Laboratory), Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, University of Dortmund, GERMANY (Invited Research Intern: 1^st June-31^st July 2005) 

Abstract: From several decades, Emulsion Polymerization has been an active area of research. There has been a considerable effort to develop theories and mathematical models for its fundamental understanding especially in the phenomena concerning particle nucleation and particle size distribution. Present work deviates from the contemporary research direction and introduces a new concept of 'Particle Classification' to model the number of latex particles in the reaction system at any time instant. It assumes a hypothetical compartmentalization of the global particle concept into newly formed and seed particles. With the assumption of monodisperse spherical particles, the work explores and emphasizes on the significance of ‘Particle Classification’ and discusses the tacit assumption followed so far in the literature. Finally, a comprehensive model (including its simulation in MATLAB) of the kinetics of Styrene Emulsion Polymerization (for surfactant concentration above and below cmc) has been developed. Some interesting observations and simulation results are obtained, especially an individual track of polymer growth in newly formed and seed particles has been made. The work also includes the important phenomena like radical chemistry, their entry and absorption-desorption, nucleation process and the rate of polymerization in detail. The model is also validated successfully with the experimental findings (given in literature).

Guides: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Engell (Head of Process Control Laboratory) and Mr. Mehdi Rajabi-Hamane, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, University of Dortmund, Germany  

Comments: Project was supported with full financial grant by the University of Dortmund. 

2) Study and Identification of Optimal Membrane Parameters of Ultra filtration membranes used for selective separation of ions, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, INDIA (B.Tech. Project: January 2005-Present)

Abstract: Selective ion separation depicts an important area in state-of-the-art research as it finds extensive practical applications in the fields of nuclear waste separation, heavy metal separation and paper and pulp industries. The project aims for the modeling, simulation and verification of optimal parameters for selective separation of ions in multiple electrolytes solution using charged ultrafiltration membranes through numerical simulation and asymptotic theoretical analysis. The identification of characteristic membrane parameters has been completed; current research is directed towards the analysis and numerical simulation of the new model, which will be followed by its experimental verification. Work is under progress.

   Guide: Dr. Anupam Shukla, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati.

  Comments: The results are expected to be submitted to an international journal by the end of February 2006. 

  3) Heat Exchanger Network Design using Randomized Algorithms, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, INDIA (Research Project: October 2004-March 2005) 

The project involves the development of a novel stream-splitting method based on the Randomized Algorithms for optimum design of Heat Exchanger Networks. Applicability and generalization of the method (generation of minimum investment cost heat exchanger networks) has been validated based on certain benchmark problems obtained from literature. Computer programs in MATLAB are developed that incorporate stream splitting. The results establish the fact that for searching high-dimensional spaces, random search is often superior to a systematic exploration on an irregular landscape. Location of optima and generation of many near-optimum networks are the key features of this project.

Guide: Dr. Pallab Ghosh, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati.

Comments: The work has been accepted for publication in Computers and Chemical Engineering journal. 

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