The final year student project titled ‘Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of A Fluidized Bed Reactor for Decomposition of Ammonium Nitrate and Reduction of NOX Emission’ has been selected by Centre for Engineering Research & Development (CERD) under the category ‘Financial Assistance to Students Project’ during the Academic Year 2019-2020.

The Project deals with the thermal decomposition of Ammonium nitrate in a Fuidized Bed Reactor (FBR). Ammonium Nitrate emissions occur from fertilizers which are used in crops, livestocks and sewage waste. The high nitrate content poses disposal problem and harmful biological effects like cancer. It pollutes the ground water and lead to death of aquatic organisms due to reduced oxygen levels. The allowed quantity of Ammonium nitrate in drinking water is < 50 g/m3 and 25g/m3 based on the World Health Organization and the European community respectively. The reduction of nitrate content before discharging process is a serious issue. A solution for this serious environmental problem is de-nitrification of ammonium nitrate (AN). Along with the formation of NOx, nitrogen, oxygen and water vapour are formed as a result of decomposition of ammonium nitrate. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) as pollutants accompanying in combustion processes, lead to production of acidic rain and photochemical smog.

The thermal decomposition in a fluidised bed reactor is found to be more efficient as it is both chemical free and environmentally considerate. Arriving at optimum process conditions to minimize the generation of Nitrogen oxides is a challenging problem. Innumerable number of experiments is to be done to optimize the process parameters. Mathematical modeling and simulation is an efficient method to study the effect of process variables on the quality of reaction products. The methodology developed by this study can be applied to other decomposition reactions similar to nitrate decomposition.

The project team consists of final year student from Dept. of BT& BCE

Aiswarya K S
Ardra V Sunil
Parvathi Vishakh

Guided by Dr. K M Usha, Professor & HoD, Dept. of BT & BCE, and Prof. Prathibha S Nair, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Computer Science

Since this venture is an amalgamation of numerical analysis, computational techniques & Chemical Engg, it is an interdisciplinary project. The following faculty members also contributed immensely for the development of algorithm & numerical solutions

Prof. Praseetha P Unnithan, Deptartment of Mathematics, MCET

Prof Joan Mary Jojo, Department of Civil Engg, MCET

This project was presented at the 7th National Level Technical Exhibition & competition SHRISHTY 2020 conducted at Saints College of Engineering, Kottayam

University Rank Holders
Akshaya SS – 2nd Semester BT&BCE
Krishnendu KK – 2nd Semester BT&BCE
Ghilky Paulson – 6th Semester BT&BCE

Funded Projects

The Final year student project titled “Design of a water disinfection system using silver and copper nanoparticle impregnated coconut shell waste carbon” proposed by a team of students from BT& BCE, department acquired appreciation from various parts of the country. Decontamination of drinking water by making use of raw materials, which are available in abundance, is the prime objective of the project. A synergetic system capable of adsorption as well as destruction of microbial organism is envisaged. The inspiration behind this project is the sense of responsibility towards the society as citizens in general and biotechnologists in particular. The outcome of this project can be linked to the post-flood activities in Kerala.

1) The project has been selected for funding by Kerala Technological University (KTU) – Centre for Engineering Research and Development (CERD), under the scheme ‘CERD Student Project 2018’.

2) The team has also bagged second position in the idea presentation – ‘The Conclave’, which is the flagship event of Drishti, the annual technical festival of College of Engineering, Trivandrum. The theme for the year 2018 was “Engineers for society”.

3) This accomplishment has paved way to the direct entry to ‘Idea Day’ by Kerala Startup Mission as well as ‘Smart India Hackathon-2019’ by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) – (Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

4) The project is also nominated for the ‘Social Innovative Award – AAROHAN-19’, by Infosys.

5) The team members are Ms. Shilpa K Nayana, Ms. Akhila Krishnan C and Ms. Shilpa Raj S, final year students of Department of Bio-Technology and Bio-chemical Engineering (BT&BCE), Dr. K M Usha, HOD, Dept. of BT&BCE is the Principal Investigator and Smt. S S Shijina, Assistant Professor is the co-investigator of the project.