Carbon nano structures made from cashew nut shell by pyrolysis

Dr A Ganesh of IIT-Bombay has synthesized a nanocarbon structures from cashew nut shell by pyrolysis vapours. On heating the cashew nut shells (CNS), an agroindustrial residue, upto about 100oC, the pericardium fluid present in the shells oozes out and is collected (about 14-16% by weight). This is generally used for making resins and adhesives.  

The partially de-oiled cashew nut shells are further heated up to about 280 degrees C to remove gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water vapour. Subsequent heating of the shells up to about 500 degrees C produces pyrolysis vapours which are condensed to recover oil rich in cardanol. 

In a relate project, Dr Ganesh has also developed a method of making aligned rope like nanocarbon structures with platelet like carbon units from cashew nut shell pyrolysis vapours. The method comprises cracking the pyrolysis vapours at 750°C to 900°C and at atmospheric pressure over a supported bimetallic catalyst comprising Co-Ni supported on silica and purifying the nanocarbon structures formed with an acid. 

IICT has technology for customized ETPs, can help retrofit

Indian Institute of Chemical Technology has developed technology for effluent treatment plant (ETP) for chemical and pharmaceutical wastewater. This technology is available for license to the industry.  

IICT has not provided much information about the technology but has said that it is ideally suited for chemical and pharma industries. The ETP is custom-designed for different environments, based on water characteristics. There is a possibility to switch operations with oxidation and reduction.  

It requires low energy input and can be incorporated in existing ETPs too.  

IICT says the technology is at TRL 7, which means it is almost ready for commercialization.  

The technology has been demonstrated for many industries based on the waste characteristics from full to pilot scale. 

For further details, contact Dr S Venkata Mohan, EEFF Division, CSIR-IICT.  

DRDO lab develops heavy-drop parachute, technology available for transfer

ADRDE, a DRDO lab that works in the field of Aerial Delivery Systems, has designed and developed the Heavy Drop P-7 Parachute system to airdrop 9.5 Ton (Max all Up mass) class payload using IL 76 Aircraft.  

The P-7 heavy drop system comprises of Parachute system and Platform system. The parachute system is designed to air drop a payload ranging from 5 ton to 9.5 ton. The parachute system is three stage system, says DRDO. 

In the first stage Extractor parachute pulls out the payload from aircraft and then initiates twin canopy of auxiliary parachute system. Auxiliary parachutes pull and assist in deployment of main parachute and brake parachute system. The main parachute system is a cluster of five canopies. After deployment, the Main Para brings the payload to steady state and safe Rate of Descent.  

The P-7 Parachute System consists of four main subsystems—Extractor Parachute system (Nos. of canopies : 01 X 8 m2 ); Auxiliary parachute system (Nos. of canopies :02 X 13.5 m2 ); Brake parachute system (Nos. of canopies :05 X 13.5 m2 ); and Main parachute system (Nos. of canopies : 05 X 760 m2 )  

Number of other components like metal parts, automatic activation devices (AAD), Deployment bags/pack covers, textile components etc. are also part of the system. The finer details regarding the same will be shared at a later stage after signing the CNDA, says DRDO. 

For further details, contact: 

Director, DIITM, DRDO Hq. DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi  

Email : tot@hqr.drdo.in 

IICT has a ‘bio-electro-chemical' route for treating complex wastewater

Indian Institute of Chemical Technology has developed what it calls a ‘bioelectrochemical’ method for treating complex wastewaters. It calls this a “novel, multi-electrode, membrane-less, bio-catalyzed fuel cell for bio electricity production from waste water.  

This technology can effectively degrade complex organics and pollutants, it can remove salts and color, bring down toxicity levels. Furthermore, this can be used as standalone system or can be integrated with the existing system. Existing biological process in ETP can be upgraded with this technology, says IICT. 

The Institute says that this technology is at a readiness level of TRL-7, which means it is ready for commercialization.  

This technology can treat wastewaters with high COD and TDS concentrations, with low biodegradeability.  

IICT runs a small demonstration plant and offers this technology to the industry. 

For further details, contact: 

Dr. S Chandrasekhar 

Director  

Director's Office 

Phone: 4027193030 

E-mail: director@iict.res.in 

NPL has technology for high density graphite, used in making crucibles and moulds

National Physical Laboratories has offered to license its technology for making high density graphite. The technology is an indigenously developed one step, simple and cost-effective process for synthesis of high density isotropic graphite using self-sintering semi-coke based carbonaceous material derived from coal tar pitch. Properties of graphite samples are much better in comparison to those prepared from conventional filler and binder method. 

High density graphite is a very special material with high density, high strength and fine micro- structure. It can be used for variety of applications because of its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures while maintaining its strength and shape.  

Additionally, these products are inexpensive and easy to machine in any shape. In the present technology, graphite samples were developed from coal tar pitch based semi-coke powder without using any extra binder and they exhibited superior properties (given in Table) as compared to those synthetic graphite manufactured from conventional filler and binder process which is subsequently carbonized, impregnated and graphitized. 

Crucibles and moulds for molten metals and hot pressing dies, collector of travelling wave tube, in nuclear reactors as moderator, reflector and fuel elements, as electrodes and brushes in electric motors and electric discharge machining, for military applications such as nose tip of missiles, thrust pads and heat shields. 

For further details, 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  

Tel: +91-11-4560-8350/8247/9385