Research Areas: Industrial and municipal wastewater treatment, Applied microbiology, Life cycle assessment, Microbial product development, Algal (Micro-algae and Diatoms) technology, Biofuel, Hydrothermal Liquefaction.
Technologies Developed: SMAART & iSMAART at TRL 7 (pilot scale treatment system (200 L) operated in the industrial premises)
Technologies: SMAART and iSMAART for Textile Effluent Treatment
Product: 1 Microbial Capsule
Microbial Capsule (Cost: Cost- 5 INR /capsule); for long term storage of Microbial Consortium
Research Alignment with SDGs (6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 15), Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), Atmanirbhar Bharat, Circular Economy
Research Plan for Next 3 Years
Next 3 years plan: Projects will be submitted in the different calls as mentioned below:
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Collaborator:
Project Proposal 1: Integrated Algal Biorefinery for Sustainable Energy and Agriculture: Biomass Valorisation and Nano-Emulsion Fertilizers Development
Project Submitted: DBT under BioE3 Policy; NSUT-IITD Collaboration
PI: Dr. Saurabh Samuchiwal
Affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering
Netaji Subhas University of Technology
Co PI: Dr. Shilpa Sharma
Affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering
Netaji Subhas University of Technology
PI: Prof. Anushree Malik
Affiliation: Dr. Rita Duggal Chair Professor, CRDT,
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, INDIA.
Time period: 2 years
Objective:
Objective 1: Cultivation of the marine and freshwater algal strains using simulated minimal tap media and municipal wastewater
Objective 2: Recovery and characterization of valuable byproducts from grown algal biomass via hydrothermal liquefaction process
Objective 3. Development, optimization, and validation of a nano-emulsion fertilizer derived from nutrient-rich aqueous fraction through pot-scale trials for enhanced plant growth
Summary of the Project
The primary aim of this project is to develop an integrated algal biorefinery for the production of high-value biocrude (biofuels) and a novel nano-emulsion fertilizer derived from cultivated algal biomass. Initially, different marine and freshwater algal strains will be selected and grown in simulated minimal tap media and real wastewater. The harvested biomass will then be processed through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) under optimized conditions to generate three key byproducts: biocrude, biochar, and a nutrient-rich aqueous fraction (HTL-AF).
All HTL-derived products will be systematically characterized using advanced analytical tools to determine their composition and potential applications. Special focus will be given to nutrient profiling of the aqueous fraction to evaluate its suitability for nano-emulsion fertilizer development. The nano-emulsion will be formulated using plant-based oils (e.g., castor, neem, or lemongrass oil) and eco-friendly stabilizers to ensure controlled release and long-term stability.
Finally, the formulated nano-emulsion fertilizer will be evaluated through controlled greenhouse pot-scale experiments on selected crops. Its performance will be systematically compared with conventional NPK fertilizers in terms of plant growth, soil fertility, microbial diversity, and environmental sustainability, thereby validating its agricultural potential.
Project Proposal 2: Integrated Physical–Biological Technique for Recovery of Colourless, Silica-Free Salt from Textile Effluent RO Reject and Its Reuse in Dyeing Operations
Project Submitted: DST-Waste Management Technologies (WMT); NSUT-IITD-Industry (Vardhman Textile Ltd.)
From IIT D:
PI: Prof. Anushree Malik
Professor, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
Co-PI: Prof. B S Butola
Professor, Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
From NSUT:
PI: Dr. Saurabh Samuchiwal
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Netaji Subhas University of Technology, Delhi
Industry:
Vardhman Textile Ltd., Chandigarh Road, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Time period: 2 years
The proposed project aims to develop and demonstrate an integrated physical–biological technique for recovering colourless, silica-free salt from textile effluent RO reject, enabling its reuse in dyeing operations. Presently, ~7.5% of treated textile effluent is discharged as RO reject and concentrated in multi-effect evaporators (MEE), producing 18–20 t/day of coloured, silica-rich salt requiring costly hazardous disposal. Nanofiltration (NF) recovers salt but leaves high silica (~150 mg/L), limiting reuse. Building on a validated proof-of-concept (TRL 3), IIT Delhi has shown that acclimatized diatom species can grow in saline NF permeate (TDS ~40,000 mg/L) and remove ~83% silica, yielding a clear brine. This project will integrate NF with a diatom/bacterial system to remove silica and produce reusable NaCl, targeting TRL 6 through industrial demonstration.
Key objectives are: (i) design an NF–diatom process for silica removal and salt recovery; (ii) pilot a 100 L bioreactor at Vardhman Textiles for on-site validation and reuse trials in pad-batch dyeing; (iii) valorize diatom biomass via bio-silica recovery and conduct techno-economic assessment. FITT-IIT Delhi will support IP, technology transfer, and outreach to textile, paper, tannery, and tie-dye sectors.
Deliverables include a process for colourless, silica-free salt, industrial performance data, dyeing efficacy evaluation, and a feasibility roadmap. Outcomes will cut MEE salt disposal by >50%, recover >60% salt for reuse, and generate value from bio-silica, advancing Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and circular economy goals. The project aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat, enabling indigenous, sustainable solutions for saline effluent management.
Tentative Planned Targets for Upcoming Project Calls:
Immediate Plan
- Department of Science and Technology- Water Technology Initiative (DST-WTI)
- The Start-up Research Grant (SRG) scheme – SERB Scheme, ANRF
- Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant – ANRF
For next 1-2 years Plan
*I will work on POC and publication for strong proposal (Required NSUT Support)
- Core Research Grant (Individual Centric)- SERB Scheme, ANRF
- Advanced Research Grant (ARG) - ANRF
- IMPacting Research, INnovation and Technology IMPRINT- SERB Scheme, ANRF
Some Pre-Decided Research Work Areas for Next 3-7 years
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Required Support from NSUT
- Infrastructure
Research Laboratory: for conducting experiments; fabrication and operation of bioreactor
Desired: Independent Space for research activities that houses large scale cultivation of algal biomass and prototype bioreactor testing for effluent treatment (Annexure Attached: Laboratory layout)
- Equipment
Immediate Equipment Requirements:
Peristaltic Pumps (double head) for continuous mode operation of bioreactor (2.5 lac).
COD digestor; orbital light shaker incubator
Basic instruments seed funds: required to establish new research laboratory (pH meter (bench-top), Laboratory refrigerator, Centrifuge, UV Vis Spectrophotometer, Autoclave, Laminar, COD Digestor, Weighing balance, hot water bath, Magnetic Stirrer etc.
- Consumable Grant:
Seed money of 3 lacs per year for first two years (Total 6 Lacs)
Acrylic sheets and pipes for laboratory bioreactor fabrication; Media purchase, Dye standards, Chemicals and solvents, Plastic wares, Glassware etc.
Seed money of 3 lacs per year for first two years.
Annexure: Laboratory Layout
