This project - the first of its kind in the country- involved complete design, fabrication, assembly, commissioning and testing of a 7.5 TR cold storage at Manikaran (HP) based on Geothermal Energy. The Plant used aqua-ammonia absorption refrigeration system where the generator was provided heat from the hot water coming out of the bore holes dug in Manikaran by the Geological Survey of India, who were our partners in the project. The cold water of river Parvati was used in the condenser. The plant was designed and fabricated at IIT Delhi and then transported to Manikaran, where it was re-assembled in the plant room of the cold store built specifically for the project. The geothermal bore holes were within the plant room and the used hot water was discharged into the river. Arrangements were made to transport the cold river water into the plant room and to discharge it back into the river after use. The complete plant was commissioned and successfully tested in October 1983.

CONSULTANCY PROJECTS

In this project, the feasibility analysis of building a cold store using an aqua-ammonia vapour absorption refrigeration system was carried out. The proposed source of heat in the generator was low-pressure steam .The work involved development of the complete procedure for the thermodynamic design, as also the thermal design of all the main components of this system.

The project involved checking of the complete air conditioning load calculations done by the clients and suggesting ways and means to reduce the A/C load without compromising on the quality of comfort in the building.

The work involved development of a comprehensive software for simulation of a turbocharged Diesel Engine used in the Main Battle Tank of Indian Army. Using this software studies were done to match the turbocharger and the engine to achieve optimum performance.

The complete Design of a solar-refrigeration system for providing cool drinking water was given to the company. The system employed was an ammonia- sodium thiocyanate intermittent absorption refrigeration system , with the solar collector acting as the generator during the day, and as the absorber during the night.

The project involved development of a novel system for economic and efficient conversion of draught animal power into electricity. A new kind of multi stage gearbox was designed, using the crown wheel and the pinion of the differential of a truck in the first stage. This enabled conversion of the speed from 3 rpm (typical speed of movement of bullocks in circular motion) to 1500 rpm needed for generating power from a dynamo.

In this project preliminary calculations of the air-conditioning loads and ventilation requirements for a typical underground station of the proposed Delhi Metro were carried out. Suggestions were given for A/C load reduction and proper identification of the indoor environmental conditions.

My role in this project was to help in suggesting various alternatives for meeting the rural energy requirements and to participate in discussions on building scenarios.

SR 6512 L is a hermetically sealed reciprocating compressor used in deep freezers. The manufacturers were facing the problem of excessive oil throw and rapid wearout of the connecting rod. Detailed theoretical studies revealed the need for design changes and these were evolved in an iterative manner through a combination of experimental and analytical investigations. These changes were incorporated in the compressor and the modified compressors showed superior performance on both the counts, viz. reduction in oil throw and connecting rod wear-out.

The aim of the study was to carry out a detailed energy audit of the Rajdhani Express trains running on the NDLS-BCT and NDLS-HWH routes and to identify measures to reduce the power consumption. The theoretical work involved detailed calculations of the air-conditioning loads, identifying measures to reduce it, and estimation of the likely power requirements for air-conditioning. The experimental work included measurement of the actual energy consumption in the train, both for lighting and air-conditioning, during operation in summer and monsoon conditions. The measures suggested indicated the possibility of reducing the peak power demand by about 38%, so that only two power cars would suffice to meet the complete electric power requirement for the train.

The project involved comprehensive design of the ventilation and air-conditioning system for all the underground stations of the N-S and E-W corridors of the proposed Delhi MRTS. In the first phase of the project, the indoor and outdoor design conditions, the effect of air washing on quality of air, and the procedures for estimating the air-conditioning loads were identified. A novel energy efficient and economic design for the VAC system was evolved. Comprehensive software was prepared to carry out the detailed design of the VAC system based on the identified procedures and norms. This software was used to carry out the detailed design for all the underground stations of the proposed Delhi MRTS. The complete tender documents, drawings of the VAC system layout, and the bill of quantities were prepared for each station.

A detailed analysis of various thermodynamic cycles for a Solid Desiccant based air conditioning system suitable for Delhi environmental conditions was carried out. A prototype of such a system based on a simple ventilation cycle was built at the client’s works and detailed experimental studies were done on this unit in IITD. These investigations revealed the shortcomings of the present design and numerous suggestions for further improvement to make the system commercially viable were given.

13. Performance tests on air-cooled Condensers and DX-Type evaporators and Software development to predict their performance

Client : Lloyd Electric Co., Delhi Year of Completion: 1995

The project had two objectives, viz. to design a suitable test rig to enable testing of the air conditioning coils, and to develop a general software for predicting their performance. The test rig design was done in accordance with the relevant ASHRAE Standards. A novel procedure for simulation of the air conditioning coils was developed which discretises the coil into nodes along the coolant path and thus permits detailed analysis of complicated circuiting arrangements commonly encountered in such coils.

A detailed analysis of various thermodynamic cycles for a Liquid Desiccant based air conditioning system suitable for Delhi environmental conditions was carried out and an optimal system configuration worked out. Extensive experimental studies on the proposed regenerative evaporative cooling system, and scaled down models of the proposed absorber and regenerator were done in IITD. These investigations revealed that the regenerative cooling was giving the expected performance. However, there were appreciable drift losses in the regenrator and the absorber. Numerous novel design features were added for further improvement in performance and to reduce the drift losses. The losses from the absorber were reduced substantially but those from the regnerator were still persisting, and needed further work when the clients closed the project due to financial reasons.

Client : Hindustan Times, New Delhi Year of Completion : 2001

The project involved detailed study of the energy consumption in the Hindustan Times Printing Press and their muti-storey office complex in Connaught Place. We looked after the energy-audit of the air-conditioning system.

The project involved detailed energy audit of the muti-storey building of State Bank of India in Connaught Place. We looked after the audit of the complete air-conditioning system.

This was a training programme for engineers from industries on various facets of stam engineering. It was preceded by setting up of a steam engineering facility in the Thermal Science Laboratory of our department through an MOU with the company.

This is a major Turnkey project given by Khadi and Village Industries Commission with a total fees of Rs 835 lacs, out of which Rs 700 lacs is for the setting up of the new Institute at Wardha , remaining being the consultancy fee to the institute. It involves complete planning of the vision and the structure of a National Institute dedicated to Rural Industrialization and getting the same executed over a three year period. ( The institute was christened as Mahatma Gandhi Institute of rural Industrialization,MGIRI, by the Union Finance Minister in his Budget speech of 2002) The detailed project report giving the vision, the structure and programmes of the new Institute has been prepared and approved by the advisory Committee. Work on various research and development projects in all the six cardinal areas of KVI sector ( Khadi, Chemical Industry, Bio-processing , Crafts and Engg., Energy and Infrastructure, Management and Systems) has been initiated. The design of the new buildings for the new Campus of the Institute has been finalised and construction work is underway. It is probably the biggest consultancy project ever undertaken in IITD history till date and over 30 faculty members form 9 different departments and Centres of the Institute are participating in it. Work has also been initiated on setting up Technical Interface units of MGIRI at various premier institutes in the country ( like other IITs , IISc,selected NITs etc.).