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Ever wondered about the subtlety flow through a pipe in our fluid mechanics
of nature's creations, the precision that all course, but how different would the fluid
of us seek today in our different walks of flow inside a carbon nanotube be? If that
life ,which seems more of nature's trait didnt interest you, spare a thought on how
that's been imbibed in us, than what we a nanoporous catalyst will produce prod-
otherwise are made to believe. What else ucts with 100 % selectivity and yield if it
could explain the philosophy behind the enhances molecule specific adsorption!
closeness of the size of an atom and a liv-
For those who love polymers, did
ing cell! A layman may dismiss it as provi-
you know that polymer carbon nanotube
dence while we engineers must acknowl-
composites have phenomenally enhanced
edge it as our destiny.
mechanical strength. They can sustain
Nanotechnology is the science of much higher weight load when compared
the small world, where the vanguards are to the virgin polymer because of a load
the atoms and molecules. The cells and transfer at the very atomic level from the
! " !
viruses make us believe that there is so bulk polymer to the highly tensile carbon
" #
much more to science than what meets the nanotube!
$ "
eye. But you all might argue that all this is $%
Membrane technology is also hav-
science and where does the engineer
ing its own share of glory with nanoporous
press the button?
membranes facilitating enhanced and
Here is the answer. As a chemical highly selective transport through it, mak-
engineer we are interested in materials that ing its application in fuel cells ever interest-
have myriad applications in fields that in- ing. At the end though, all this fascinating
clude polymers, membranes, catalysis etc. stuff is just the tip of the iceberg! Engineers
Ever imagined how a nanometer dimen- have a plethora of opportunities in the
sion could revolutionize our entire idea of nano regime which includes the elabora-
thinking. It all boils down to control, that we tion of mathematical and stochastic models
so desperately want, control over proper- that would help us understand everyday
ties which would enable us to tailor our physical, chemical and biological phenom-
own materials for the future. ena better and optimize parameters that
are of industrial importance.
What is so special about the
"nano" feeling then? For one, it helps us Here it is my friends, the technol-
alter properties at the very atomic level ogy of the millennium, let's stand up and
thus synthesizing things "the way we need accept it with open arms!
them". For example, all of us study fluid
 $ )*+ )
Now-a-days in our world fossil
fuels are used for a lot of developments
and every days small to small work. En-
ergy is the currency of political and eco-
nomic power of each country throughout
the world. In this era energy has become
the paramount imperative and energy de-
mand has proliferated.
Today fossil fuels are the primary
source of energy. Most estimates put our
overall worldwide fossil fuel reserves as
lasting not more than 200 to 300 years
considering further fuel reserves such as
& low-grade coal, tar sands, and oil shale
! again based on the current rate and distri-
bution of consumption. In present scenario,
crude oil is the brightest star in the energy
family. The maximum number of oil re-
! of the solutions, which produces energy by
sources are in a very few number of coun-
tries. 44 oil producing countries are now
'(( fulfilling 99% of worlds oil demand. 24 of
)(( " these countries have already passed their
peak. It is not only India and China, but
also the developed countries of Europe,
U.S.A., Japan etc. that are dependent on
importing oil. Hence energy poverty is go-
ing to be the new killer in developing and
developed countries.
Since 1960, the amount of new oil
reservoirs being discovered is declining.
Even the number of new refineries is also
decreasing and the reason is too simple.
All oil companies want to be profitable and
they know that in the future they will get
lesser and lesser oil for refining. This oil
crisis is leading to merging of oil compa-
nies. In December 1998, BP and AMOCO
merged and just after four months in April
1999 BP-AMOCO and ARCO merged. In
December 1999 Exxon and Mobile
merged. In November 2001 Philips and
,!- . ..
Conoco merged. In September 2002, Shell
acquired penzoil-quaker state. In June
2005 Royal Dutch and Shell merged.
What is the solution? We can not
grow more fossil fuel. We can not stop the
use of fossil fuel. It is the devastating truth
that fossil fuel is going to end one day.
Hence we need alternatives for the produc-
tion of the necessary energy, fuels, and
chemicals. We have no choice but to de-
velop new sources and technologies in
order to eventually replace fossil fuels. The
time to do this is now, when we still have
extensive sources of fossil fuels available
to make the inevitable changes gradually,
without major disruptions.
Renewable energy technology is one
transforming natural phenomena (or natu-
ral resources) such as into useful energy
forms. We can turn to fuel cells as a solu-
tion. The fuel cells are electrochemical en-
ergy conversion device. As long as fuel is
supplied, the fuel cells continue to gener-
ate power. In the fuel cells the fuels are fed
at the anode side and oxidant is fed at the
cathode side. In the two electrodes, half-
reactions take place and electricity is pro-
duced. An electrolyte is placed in between
two electrodes through which the mobile
ions (produced from an electrode half-
reaction) pass to the other electrode side
and take part in half-reaction of that elec-
trode. Electrons pass from anode to cath-
ode by means of an external circuit giving
power to an external load.
The principle of the fuel cell was
discovered by German scientist Christian
Friedrich Schnbein in 1838 and published
in the January 1839 edition of the Philoso-
phical Magazine". Based on this primary work, Welsh sci- /% % / " / 01
entist Sir William Robert Grove developed the first hydro-
gen fuel cell, in 1843. Hydrogen fuel cell is the basic fuel
Pyrolysis of plastics has been considered one of
cell. In this fuel cell hydrogen is fed at anode and oxygen at
the most important techniques for its disposal treatment
cathode. At anode hydrogen splits to protons and electrons
in presence of catalysts. after its usage. Main problem of plastics disposal lies in
its non-biodegradable nature due to the presence of
2H2 4H++ 4e-
complex chemical bonds in its polymer matrix. Due to
At cathode oxygen reacts with those electrons and the rigorous usage of plastics as commodity material in
protons generating water and heat.
our daily life as well as in Industry its disposal is of seri-
O2 + 4H+ + 4e- 2H2O ous concern from the environmental pollution point of
view. Plastics in our daily life are mainly PET
The overall reaction is as follows :
(Polyethylene terephthalate) used in manufacturing plas-
2H2 + O2 2H2O tic beverage bottles; PP (Polypropylene) used in the
No other energy generating technology offers the manufacture of ropes, toys etc; LDPE (Low density poly-
combination of benefits that fuel cells offer. A fuel cell run- ethylene) used in packaging material; HDPE (High den-
ning on pure hydrogen is a zero-emission power source. sity polyethylene) used for making electrical utensils and
The other benefits include high efficiency and reliability,
PS (Polystyrene) used for making tough and transparent
multi-fuel capability, durability, fuel flexibility, and ease of
materials.
maintenance. Fuel cells are also scalable and can be
stacked until the desired power output is reached. Since
There have been many alternative techniques
fuel cells operate silently, they reduce noise pollution as
well as air pollution and the waste heat from a fuel cell can suggested for plastics or solid waste treatment such as
be used to provide hot water or space heating for a home land-filling, incineration, materials recycling etc. All these
or office. Some applications require an extremely reliable techniques have certain demerits due to which these
power supply and a fuel cells ability to produce continuous approaches for plastics disposal cannot be recom-
power is one reason that makes them ideal for these and
mended. Pyrolysis is the process where this solid poly-
many other situations.
mer matter can be decomposed in an inert atmosphere
Whilst fuel cells provide an exciting prospect for with the help of heat treatment. Pyrolysis can yield value
future energy supplies there are still areas that need to be
added products such as monomers (activated charcoal),
developed further in order for them to become a main-
liquid fractions in the gasoline range, petrochemical feed
stream technology. Fuel cells are still a few years away
from commercialization on a large scale. Now-a-days a lot -stock with a very negligible amount of harmful residue.
of companies such as Ballard Power (Canada), Energy
Venture Inc.(Canada), Fuel Cell Energy (USA), Nissan & The concept of pyrolysis technique can be a
Suzuki (Japan), Siemens Westinghouse (Germany) etc. are feasible process only when the real kinetic mechanism
taking interest in research and development of fuel cells. If of polymer decomposition is known. The aspects to be
the obstacles could be handled in future then fuel cells considered in the pyrolysis process are proper selection
could be a very reliable and capable source for energy to
of pyrolysis reactor, optimization of the reactor and oper-
fulfill the worlds demand in future.
ating conditions and product distributions.
 The study of kinetics of plastics
decomposition can be possible with the
help of the TGA (Thermo Gravimetric
Analysis) technique. TGA is a process
where mass degradation takes place due to
the application of heat with the flow of an
inert gas (Nitrogen, Argon etc) while purg-
ing and in the protective gas inlet to get rid
of oxidation which may give rise to unde-
sired reactions. The results from the TGA
are generally interpreted as the weight loss
with temperature or with time. From the
TGA results the kinetics information of the
polymer decomposition mechanism can be
known. For that purpose TGA is generally
coupled with model approaches such as;
! Model-fitting techniques or Model-free tech-
niques. Model-fitting techniques are used in
! the case of lack of knowledge of real kinetic
mechanism of the polymer decomposition.
Otherwise model-free techniques are cou-
pled with TGA. In many cases they are ad-
vantageous over model-fitting techniques.
Model-free technique is used both
in the presence and absence of catalyst
during the degradation of catalysts. Cata-
lysts such as laboratory synthesized meso-
porous (sol-gel) Al-MCM-41, laboratory
synthesized microporous (hydrothermal)
nano-crystalline n-HZSM-5, commercial
ZSM-5 and composite catalysts such as
FCC (Fluid Catalytic Cracking) catalyst
have been used. All these catalysts are
very specific in their catalytic behaviors
while showing their effect in the degrada-
tion of the polymers PP (Polypropylene)
and LDPE (Low density poly ethylene) both
individually and in mixture forms. These
catalysts showed catalytic effect mainly in
terms of decrease in the temperature of
degradation, activation energies and in the
pyrolysis product spectra during pyrolysis
experiments. While performing decomposi-
tion experiments in the absence of catalysts
the maximum degradation temperature
generally used to be high unlike in the cata-
lytic case where the maximum degradation
temperature is low due to the usage of
catalysts. More over the product distribution
of the pyrolysis process output can be
greatly modified.
In the case of plastics mixtures of
PP and LDPE in their various ratios, both
TGA and GC (Gas Chromatography) for
product analysis got important findings re-
garding optimum ratios of polymers in their
mixtures both in the concern of high conver-
sion and the high yield of comparatively
more valuable products. The separation of
the solid products and liquid products is of
utmost importance for better analysis of the
products obtained after these pyrolysis ex-
periments.
The future scope for research in the
said area needs more attention so as to
understand the real mechanism of the deg-
radation of these polymers both thermally
and catalytically in their real mixture forms,
keeping an eye to analyze more valuable
products after degradation.
!"
Introduction hances coal conversion.

Co-pyrolysis of waste plastic with

Incorporating plastic waste into existing
fossil fuel may be considered as a poten-
industrial processes is another expanding
tially effective means to counter these chal-
field of research interest. Improved product
lenges of energy management and waste
distribution towards desired ends and
management. The importance of this tech-
value addition to evolved products from
nique lies in the fact that it can potentially
waste is the chief benefit intended in the
harness the multiple benefits of obtaining
use of this technique.
valuable products from coal and waste
plastic, effective waste reduction and de- Also an elaborate study of product distribu-
creased energy load on coal as fuel by effi- tion obtained, influence of operating vari-
cient energy management. able on the products evolved and identifi-
cation of controlling parameters is impor-
Co-pyrolysis products comprise
tant in order to design processes for recov- *
gaseous products, tar or oil and solid resi-
ery of desired products. The application of
due. Each of these product components
various catalysts for improving product dis-
can be recovered as such or upgraded for +
tribution can provide an extension to this
value addition. Combination of waste plas- !
field of study.
tic with coal has gained much attention
owing to the assumption that thermal de- Potential for industrial application of
composition of coal as well as most kind of this technique
polymers proceed through radical forma-
Several industrial trials have indi-
tion in close ranges of temperature. This
cated the potential for application of co-
allows scope for possible chemical interac-
pyrolysis of plastic with coal. Some studies
tions between plastics and coal intermedi-
indicate that mixed plastic waste was used
ates triggering improved quality and yield
as a minor component in coal blends with-
of products. It also presents a potential for
out deteriorating the quality of the metallur-
reduction of emissions from combustion
gical coke produced for blast furnace. In-
alone, as the formation of higher alkanes is
dustrial trial at Kimutsu coke ovens by in-
found to be augmented when blended with
corporating a mixture of plastic waste as
plastics. Blending of coal with plastic is
component in coal blend is reported to
thus found to give mutual beneficial effects.
have produced encouraging results for fur-
On one hand while coal promotes radical
thering in this approach. Another industrial
formation leading to production of lighter
trial with plastic reuse is found with inte-
products from the polymer, the polymer
grated steel plants where plastic waste is
plays the role of hydrogen donor and en-
injected into the blast furnace as fuel. BASF, Veba Oil etc the highest tar yield as compared to other Indian coals.
have already set up commercial plants for gasification, liq- Thus, the use of these coals is limited due to their high
uefaction and cracking of plastic waste. A TNO report also sulphur content. This study therefore envisages an alter-
indicates that pyrolysis, hydrogenation and gasification of nate scope for effective utilization of this abundantly avail-
conventional fuels such as coal and biomass can be used able resource. Also it may be expected to recover valuable
with plastic waste to generate producer gas rich in hydro- gaseous and liquid compounds from this coal due to its
gen content or synthesis gas. Several other industrial ex- high tar content.
amples demonstrate the efficiency of this technique in coke
The use of waste plastic in this study has its rele-
making. Co-gasification of about 20% plastics with coal in a
vance to the increasing waste management problem that
Texaco gasifier has yielded marginal increase in efficiency
has gradually evolved into a growing global menace. More
as compared to coal-only fired systems.
than 50% of the plastic produced in India is routed to the
The present work packaging industry. So a significant proportion of the plas-
tic produce manifests as some form of consumer waste.
This project aims at studying the behavior of coal
Also as discussed, the country must also look forward to
and waste plastic blends in comparison to the individual
the motto of reuse and reclaim from the perspective of
components during co-processing. The primary emphasis
these non-biodegradable waste. Moreover, as the country
is to investigate the kinetics of the reactions and study the
envisages self reliance in the energy sector in the coming
products of co-pyrolysis. Preliminary experiments in this
decades, effective utilization of the countrys most abun-
regard have been done to study the thermal pyrolysis of
dant fossil fuel, coal becomes highly imperative. Also the
coal, waste low density polyethylene and their blends.
present world scenario demands novel measures for
Materials of study and their relevance in national con- waste and energy management with increased focus on
text pollution control and abatement. Considering the above, a
technique such as co-pyrolysis can be expected to as-
The coal proposed to be used in this study is coal
sume role as a promising option.
from the Ledo colliery of Makum coalfields in Assam, India.
These coals have been classified as the sub-bituminous Besides values generation from waste, this study
type on the basis of studies on their chemical composition can generate a novel option for utilization of Assam coal
and physical characteristics. These are high sulphur coals which has otherwise limited application. It will provide a
with an estimated total reserve of about 260 million tons. detailed understanding of the products of co-pyrolysis
Due to the high sulphur content, it has to be blended with along with the influence of sample and pyrolysis parame-
other auxiliary fuels, such as natural gas or imported coals ters and use of catalysts on the same. Besides, it will also
to satisfy the coal quality requirement for thermal power target industrial interfacing to make this technique useful
generation, particularly from the emission point of view. and applicable industrially.
Besides high sulphur content, these coals are reported to
have a low softening temperature and a high swelling in-
dex, volatile matter and hydrogen contents besides having #$
 % "-!. 2
Chemical Engineering is not limited boost to the market of products of immedi-
to its vast array of correlations, graphs and ate consumption like candies, pan masala,
different techniques of obtaining solutions to shampoos, wafers and other eatables. To-
complex problems. Rather it is about engi- day UFLEX is worth US$ 600 Million.
neering production of goods that can
The group is a multi faceted organi-
change our day to day lives.
zation which has backward integrated its
Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, CMD of operations from manufacture of polyester
UFLEX Group of Companies feels that engi- chips, films (BOPET, BOPP and CPP - both
neering has the power to transform human in plain and metallized form), coated film,
lives. His life is an example of the same. It laminates, pouches, holographic films Gra-
starts in the 1970s when Mr. Ashok vure cylinders, inks and adhesives to all
Chaturvedi passed out as graduate in types of packaging & printing machines.
chemistry from Kanpur College and joined
It has a strong market presence in
the packaging company Rollatainer as a
over 80 countries of the world with produc-
sales agent. Those were the days when
tion facilities in UAE and USA as well. ", -
shampoos, pan masala, spices, everything , . /((
UFLEX group has been recently accredited
used to come in small containers. These & %
with the patent of zippers for plastic
containers were bulky in nature and sup-
pouches.
plied goods in a larger quantity.
But the vision and spirit of Ashok
Seeing this, he was struck with the
Chaturvedi is still unrelenting. At the begin-
idea of small pouches which according to
ning of this new millennium, even as tech-
him would provide not only easy and safe
nology strives to bring us together, people
carriage of goods but would also completely
drift apart. As life goes on new and undis-
change the market scenario. With this idea
covered gaps emerge. That is why in this
in his mind he left his job at Rollatainer
age of a shrinking globe, our greatest chal-
and acquired a 300-square feet room at
lenge is to bridge these gaps,. A new whis-
Noida in 1983, an upcoming industrial town
per, runs between us: "let us bridge these
in U.P, to start his packaging unit, which he
gaps" and make life a trifle better inside and
named as UFLEX Group. He was unabated
outside us. In this whisper lies the message;
by the meagre resources that he had and
in this challenge the motive; in this effort the
pioneered the concept of small pouches for
goal of UFLEX, An effort that strives to offer
Kanpur-based Ashoka Spices and
integrated solutions.
Kothari's Pan Parag pan masala. The con-
cept of small pouches provided a huge % &
 / % $

Polymer nanocomposites offer tremendous im- step assistant in GMC Safari and Chevrolet Astro vans.
provement in a wide range of physical and engineering From that day it has found use in various commercial ap-
properties for polymers with low filler loading. The major plications to fulfill the increased demand of the human so-
development in this field has been carried out over the last ciety. These days a lot of research work is being done on
one and half decades. In this article an attempt is made to nanocomposites to apply in various fields like drug deliv-
give a basic understanding of polymer nanocomposites ery systems, anti-corrosion barrier coatings, UV protection
along with its current applications. gels, lubricants and scratch free paints, new fire retardant
materials, new scratch or abrasion resistant materials, su-
Composites are the materials formed when at least
perior strength fibers and films. There are mainly three
two distinctly dissimilar materials are mixed. Conventional
types of composites for layered silicate materials (shown
composites undergo mixing at macroscopic level. However
in Figure 1). When the polymer is unable to intercalate (or
when one of the constituent phases has one dimension
penetrate) between the silicate sheets, a phase-separated
less than 100 nm they are called as nanocomposites. In
composite is obtained, and the properties stay in the same
case of polymer nanocomposites, one of the phases is
range as those for conventional nanocomposites. In an
polymer. The other phase is nano filler which can be clay or
intercalated structure, where a single extended polymer
nanotube or any nanoparticles. These nanocomposites
chain can penetrate between the silicate layers, a well-
have flexibility and improvements in their physical proper-
ordered multilayer morphology results with alternating
ties. Since the constituents of the nanocomposites have
polymeric and inorganic layers. When the silicate layers
different structures and compositions, hence the nanocom-
are completely and uniformly dispersed in a continuous
posites can be multifunctional. The main idea behind the
polymer matrix, an exfoliated or delaminated structure is
nanocomposites is to enhance the properties and improve
obtained. In each case, the physical properties of the re-
the characteristics of the materials. Nano-structured and
sultant composite are significantly different. Without proper
nano-composite materials are expected to be the major
dispersion, the nano material will not offer improved me-
areas of growth in the economy of countries like U.K. in the
chanical properties over that of conventional composites;
next 20 years. Currently the world nano-materials market is
in fact, a poorly dispersed nano material may degrade the
growing at the rate of 7-15% per annum in various sectors.
More than 70 organizations around the world are working in
this field and opportunities are still considered to be abun- $ #

dant.

"
The real era of polymer composites started in 1990
when Toyota first developed Nylon-Montmorillonite clay
nanocomposite that was used in Toyota car to produce tim-
ing belt cover. After that it was used by Mitsubishi in the
% " # !" #
preparation of GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine cover.
General Motors used clay/polyolefin nanocomposites in
mechanical properties. No swelling during contact with water and therefore high
resistance to whitening.
Polymer-clay nanocomposites can be prepared
mainly by three different methods. They are the melt-
Enhanced heat distortion temperature.
processing, solvent method and in situ polymeriza-
tion. The first two methods directly insert polymer into the Enhanced physical properties.
clay galleries, while the third inserts monomer followed by
polymerization in the galleries. Low processing cost and single-step processing.

Nanocomposites can demonstrate significant Stiffness and clarity.

improvements compared to virgin polymers with the con-
tent of the clay materials in the 2-10 wt. % range. There The polymer does not soften or flow before approx. 150
are improvements in mechanical properties, such as ten- C.
sile strength, compressive strength, bending and fractural
Dries quickly after water absorption.
strength; barrier properties, such as permeability and sol-
vent resistance; optical properties and ionic conductivity. And most importantly they are easily recycled.
Other interesting properties exhibited by polymer-layered
silicate nanocomposites include their increased thermal Dramatic improvements in mechanical properties

stability and ability to promote flame retardancy at very have resulted in major interest in nanocomposite materi-
low filling levels. The formation of a thermal insulating als in numerous automotive and general/industrial appli-
and low permeability char from the polymer degradation cations. These include potential for utilization as mirror
caused by a fire is responsible for these improved proper- housings on various vehicle types, door handles, engine
ties. The enhanced properties of polymer nanocompo- covers and intake manifolds and timing belt covers. More
sites at low clay loadings compared to conventional clay/ general applications currently being considered include
polymer mixtures are: usage as impellers and blades for vacuum cleaners,
power tool housings, mower hoods and covers for port-
Lower density and better reinforcement. able electronic equipment such as mobile phones, pagers
etc. It can also be applied in the field of heat-resistant
Increased dimensional stability. materials, light weight and high strength structural materi-
als, electrical package, conductive polymers, barriers,
Decreased permeability to gases, water and hydrocar-
corrosion resistant materials, electro-magnetic field
bons. So Improved barrier properties for gases and liq-
shielding, selective photo sensitivity, coatings, etc.
uids.
The major research is going on in the field of
Flame retardant approach.
electronics where polymer nanocomposites are used in
preparation of light weight and low cost chips. Using
Increased melt strength and chemical resistance.
these materials, GE hopes to build more powerful tur-
High elasticity despite high silica ratio. bines that operate at higher temperatures. So, it is no
longer a new field in the area of research; and the day is
not far when polymer nanocomposites will become an
integral part of our life.
' " $
 ! ! ( / "
3'343*
As a part of the first issue of IIChE the student into a complete and responsible
(Students chapter) newsletter, Editor, Mr citizen. Also a linking up with the alumni
Deepak Nanwani interviewed the Head of and other chemical engineers is a part of it.
the Department of Chemical Engineering
DN: So, do we plan to set up an alumni
Dr. Aloke K. Ghoshal. Here is the full text of
database also?
the interview.
AKG: Yes, in fact we are working on it. This
DN: Sir, you have been in this department
is very important for the benefit of the de-
since it began in 2002 and you have seen it
partment and the students of this depart-
grow to what it is now. What are the major
ment. Because once the students pass out
changes in the department that you see
it is very difficult to maintain this contact.
today?
And this is the reason such a database is
AKG: The department has grown from stu- very important.
dents point of view as well as facultys
DN: Is the department also involved in any
point of view. The department as of now is
sort of consultancy projects?
complete. We have all the required facilities
0
as well as infrastructure. As the no. of stu- AKG: Yes, the department is involved in a
dents grow, more and more facilities will be lot of consultancy projects. We recently
&0
required and we will have to make the nec- bagged a project from OIL Duliajan and we
essary changes with time. are already doing two projects with them.
! "
We recently completed a project for IOCL.
" DN: Sir, how has the setting up of IIChE
We have also taken up another consultancy
students chapter in our department benefit-
project with BLPL. We along with some fac-
ted the students of the department?
ulty member of Civil Engineering Depart-
AKG: The students chapter is mainly set ment are doing a project for a Kolkata
up to benefit the students and once the stu- based company. Like this there are various
dents are benefitted the department is also other consultancy projects that have been
benefitted in general. The purpose behind taken up.
setting up of this chapter was to get every-
DN: In what various fields are these con-
one especially the students involved in
sultancy projects?
some activities not only related to chemical
engineering but also extracurricular activi- AKG: See, one is in the field of catalyst
ties so that all round development of the synthesis for a specific use. Then conden-
student takes place. These kinds of activi- sate recovery is also one area. There are
ties assume special importance to make other fields too like heat exchanger network
analysis for setting up a new project. Also feasibility
a lot of factors and will be taken in due course of time
study on the use of micro turbines for generating elec-
depending on the requirement.
tricity from oil and gas.
DN: Sir, what about the computer lab?
DN: What is the difference between a consultancy pro-
ject and a funded/sponsored project? AKG: We have got new computers in the department lab
recently. As and when the need arises we will increase
AKG: In case of a consultancy project when a particular
the no. as well as improve the configuration of these vari-
company or some firm has a problem, you have to con-
ous computers. We also plan to use the room where the
vince them that you can solve that problem and the
departmental library is right now. This room has been
company will pay you for that. It is sort of similar to your
made for the purpose of the lab and we will use it as and
placement process. There are funding agencies like
when the need arises.
DST, CSIR, MNES, etc. which have been allocated
funds by the government and which further allocate DN: Sir, is the course curriculum changed regularly to
funds to various projects in educational and other insti- match the requirements of the industry? And are we also
tutes which need them. Many such funded projects are working on changing the various topics that are taught in
also going on in the department. the courses?

DN: Can students also be a part of these consultancy AKG: Curriculum is alright however recently we have
projects? done a curriculum restructuring. As far as the syllabus is
concerned we are constantly revising it and we have
AKG: Yes students are also a part of these consultancy
done a few major changes once since 2002. And another
projects. They might not get monetary benefits but they
major change is in the new pipeline. We will be changing
get hands on industrial experience. They are allotted
the syllabus as well as introducing the new courses. New
small problems which are a part of the project and they
electives are in the pipeline for students since now we
work on them under the guidance of the faculty member.
have more faculty members.
And such interactions between students and faculty
members are mutually beneficial. We can only supervise DN: Most of our placements are in petroleum refining
them but it is the students who work on the implementa- sector. Why is it that we are not able to move to other
tion. areas like pharmaceuticals, fertilizers etc.?

DN: Are our labs equipped to handle this increase in AKG: See it is all a case of demand and supply. A few
years ago there was a great boom in the software sector.
the intake of the students?
The salaries were quite high and everybody wanted to go
AKG: As I said the department is now complete. The over to that side. However, when the software sector de-
intake of students has increased in the past few years. clined people again started running here and there. Now
We will be from next year on dividing the students into in the oil sector there are a lot of MNCs which are offering
two groups and we also plan to introduce some new very high pay packages and hence people prefer the core
experiments in our labs. But these decisions depend on sector.
 / )
As the statistics reveal the place-
ment of the B.Tech. batch of final year stu-
dents has been very satisfactory. Cent per-
cent placement with an average package of
6.10 LPA supports the above statement.
For a batch of 21 students we have 25 re-
cruitment offers.
" 53 6
that a company would give advantage to
the person having an internship in a com-
pany amongst two equally capable people.
Moreover, an internship in a company might
result in a Pre Placement Offer. However
the final choice depends on the persons
personal choice and career aspirations.

This year during the placement Some Vital Points:-

season 12 core companies visited the cam-
Medical fitness: It is advisable for the stu-
pus and 15 students got placed in these
dents to be medically fit as per the re-
+ companies. Apart from this 3 students got
quirements of the company they are
+ placed in consultancy firms and 3 in IT sec-
sitting for. This medical fitness criterion
" tor jobs. The representatives of the various
varies from company to company. Peo-
companies who had come for recruitment
ple using glasses/lenses and who have
were pretty pleased with the performance
powers at the higher ends or are color-
of the students. Yet there were a few other
blind stand a risk of being rejected in
companies which went back empty handed
the medical tests. Kindly get yourself
and this can be attributed to insufficient
" checked and select the companies you
preparation by the students. So, it would be
want to sit for accordingly.
beneficial for students eyeing these compa-
nies to start working on meeting their de- High CPI doesn't harm as much as you
mands from a potential employee. assume: A high CPI candidate is con-
sidered by companies as a probable
The core companies demand flu-
candidate for further studies, but it is all
ency in a few core subjects and areas of
in the hands of the candidate to con-
chemical engineering. These generally in-
vince the interview panel by his/her re-
clude Mass Transfer, Heat Transfer and
plies and in the end it is the answers
Fluid Mechanics. Of course you need to
that he gives in the interview that mat-
keep a look out for the specific areas the
ter.
companies demand knowledge in.
It is advisable to keep a very concise and
There is a very ambiguous relation-
true resume. Also be prepared to an-
ship between placements and internships.
swer any cross questions based on
Stats and facts don't reveal much on this.
your resume.
Yet, on a personal note, it seems logical
( " &$
)
 7
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We would like to thank all the people who helped us in bringing out the first ever issue of this newsletter. First
of all we would like to thank Prof. A.K. Ghoshal and Dr. Kaustubha Mohanty for their continuous support and guid-
ance. Also we would like to thank Aashish Goel, Ashish Kumar and Vaibhav Agarwal for their help during the col-
lection of articles. We would also like to thank all the students who have contributed to the newsletter in whatever
way they have.

- Deepak & Bikrom

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Activities of IIChE-SC, IIT Guwahati

During this calendar year 2008, IIChE-SC has already organized two activities viz. a trip to IOCL Guwahati
Refinery on 15th March 2008 and one Workshop on Aspen Plus conducted by Dr. P. K. Saha on 29th March 2008.
Nearly 45 students accompanied by some faculty members have visited IOCL Refinery. The Aspen Plus Work-
shop was also well attended by more than 80 students comprising of UG, PG and PhD scholars. Those were the
two major activities. Barring these some minor activities like placement talk and internship talk by final year UG
students of Chemical Engineering were also held under the auspices of IIChE-SC. More such activities are
planned for near future.

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IOCL Guwahati Refinery Visit on 15th March 2008