Central Building Research Institute has developed machines for underground horizontal boring

The Central Building Research Institute, based out of Roorkee, has developed two machines for underground horizontal drilling. In use, these machines will make it easy to bore tunnels without disturbing the surface structures; and there would be no dust, no traffic hold-up. 

One machine is powered by a hydraulic jack with motorized cutter rotation and can drill 310 mm diameter holes up to a length of 12 meters. CBRI says it would cost Rs 2.5 lakh to produce a machine.  

To produce these machines, you only need a general fabrication workshop.  

The second machine that CBRI has developed is also for drilling horizontal underground bores without disturbing the surface structures. This machine can bore 180mm diameter holes upto 17 meters under the ground. And it costs only Rs 90,000 to produce a machine, using standard steel sections, electric geared motor and can be produced in a general fabrication workshop. 

The institute has not given any contact details of an officer responsible for technology  transfer, but those interested could get in touch with the Director, Dr N Gopalakrishnan at director@cbri.res.in or director@cbrimail.com or call his office at 01332-272243. 

BARC develops Bt based biopesticide

‘Bt’ -- which stands for Baccilus thuringeinsis – is now well-known term in India, thanks to the success of ‘Bt cotton’. Cotton crop genetically engineered with Bt is pest-resistant and therefore cotton production has gone up by leaps and bounds in India. 

Now, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has developed a pesticide based on the bacterium strain, Bt. This pesticide performs the same function—it keeps the pests away. This biopesticide is a good alternative to the chemical pesticides, which could be harmful.  

BARC says this Bt-based biopesticide is easy to produce, not costly, amenable to formulations. It also acts fast on crops and is non-toxic to beneficial species like honey bees—and humans—and has a long shelf life of two years.  It is active against 12 major agricultural pests.  

The biopesticide can be produced using conventional fermentation process, with agro by-products as feed.  

To produce it, all you need is a standard microbiology laboratory fitted with facility for bacterial fermentation, harvesting, drying and preparation of formulation.  

The capital cost of setting up a small scale unit has been estimated at around Rs 30 lakh.  

For further details, contact: 

Head 

Technology Transfer and Collaboration Division 

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre 

Trombay, Mumbai 400085 

Email: technology@barc.gov.in 

Ph: 022-25595137 

IICT, Hyderabad develops technology for modification of RO membranes to NF membranes for water purification

The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, has developed a cost effective way to convert Reverse Osmosis membranes to Nano Filtration membranes. The plant with such converted membranes is useful for the treatment of surface water. 

The permeate water is remineralized to 60 to 120 ppm TDS. 

This plant removes all impurities in a single step including excess total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, hardness, turbidity, heavy metals and microbial content. 

The reject water from the plant is being recycled for domestic purposes. Greater water recovery (80%) with low rejects volume. The reject water can be reused for washing water, laundry and other purposes. 

Minerals such as Ca, Mg, P, Na, K essential for human consumption and health are retained. 

Longer membrane life and lower fouling by impurities. 

The operating cost in these plants is about 5-7 paise per L of purified water generated. 

Environmentally safe as the materials used in the process are recycled and reused for other chemical treatments. 

The technology covers a membrane assembly unit with high pressure pumps, prefilters, and pressure vessel and auxiliary equipment. 

For further details, contact: 

Dr. S Chandrasekhar 

Director  

Director's Office 

Phone: 4027193030 

E-mail: director@iict.res.in 

NPL develops technology for producing noise absorptive barriers

Houses near airports and railways have a problem of noise. How to keep noise from entering the houses? You can achieve that if you can build a barrier that will absorb all the noise coming from outside and keep the insides silent. 

National Physical Laboratories, Pune, has developed a technology for producing such noise absorbtive barriers and is offering it to the industry for licensing. NPL says it is easy to install, cost-effectiv e to retrofit to the existing facilities.  

The product can be used for roadway, railway, metro, airport and industrial noise prevention.  

Advantages: Low cost, Lightweight, dry construction, high sound transmission class (STC) (> 35) rating panel, easy to commission, overall safety and energy conserving. 

For further details please contact:  

Head, Industrial Liaison Group (ILG)  

Room No. 46-A, Main Building CSIR- 

National Physical Laboratory  

Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012  

Email: headilg@nplindia.org