Institute of Chemical Technology

About: Institute of Chemical Technology is a education organization based out in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Chemistry. The organization has 1556 authors who have published 2184 publications receiving 32510 citations. The organization is also known as: UDCT & University Department of Chemical Technology.

Pharmaceutical Industry Wastewater: Review of the Technologies for Water Treatment and Reuse

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compounds are typically produced in batch processes leading to the presence of a wide variety of products in wastewaters which are generated in different operations, wherein copious quantities of water are used for washing of solid cake, or extraction, or washing of equipment. The presence of pharmaceutical compounds in drinking water comes from two different sources: production processes of the pharmaceutical industry and common use of pharmaceutical compounds resulting in their presence in urban and farm wastewaters. The wastewaters generated in different processes in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and drugs contain a wide variety of compounds. Further, reuse of water after removal of contaminants, whether pharmaceuticals or otherwise, is required by industry. In view of the scarcity of water resources, it is necessary to understand and develop methodologies for treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater as part of water management. In this review, the various sources of wastewaters in the pharmaceutical industry are identified and the best available technologies to remove them are critically evaluated. Effluent arising from different sectors of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), bulk drugs, and related pharmaceutics, which use large quantities of water, is evaluated and strategies are proposed to recover to a large extent the valuable compounds, and finally the treatment of very dilute but detrimental wastewaters is discussed. No single technology can completely remove pharmaceuticals from wastewaters. The use of conventional treatment methods along with membrane reactors and advanced posttreatment methods resulting in a hybrid wastewater treatment technology appear to be the best. The recommendations provided in this analysis will prove useful for treatment of wastewater from the pharmaceutical industry.

Catalytic carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methanol: A review of recent studies

Abstract: Methanol demand is continuously increasing in the chemical and energy industries. It is commercially produced from synthesis gas (CO + CO 2 + H 2 ) using CuO/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 catalysts. Today, much effort is being put on the development of technologies for its production from carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). In this way, the Greenhouse effect may be mitigated. Over the years, several useful works on CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol have been reported in the literature. In this article, we present a comprehensive overview of all the recent studies published during the past decade. Various aspects on this reaction system (such as thermodynamic considerations, innovations in catalysts, influences of reaction variables, overall catalyst performance, reaction mechanism and kinetics, and recent technological advances) are described in detail. The major challenges confronting methanol production from CO 2 are considered. By now, such a discussion is still missing, and we intend to close this gap in this paper.

Plasma activated water (PAW): Chemistry, physico-chemical properties, applications in food and agriculture

Abstract: Background Cold plasma is an emerging non-thermal disinfection and surface modification technology which is chemical free, and eco-friendly. Plasma treatment of water, termed as plasma activated water (PAW), creates an acidic environment which results in changes of the redox potential, conductivity and in the formation of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS). As a result, PAW has different chemical composition than water and can serve as an alternative method for microbial disinfection. Scope and approach This paper reviews the different plasma sources employed for PAW generation, its physico-chemical properties and potential areas of PAW applications. More specifically, the physical and chemical properties of PAW are outlined in relation to the acidity, conductivity, redox potential, and concentration of ROS, RNS in the treated water. All these effects are in microbial nature, so the applications of PAW for microbial disinfection are also summarized in this review. Finally, the role of PAW in improving the agricultural practices, for example, promoting seed germination and plant growth, is also presented. Key findings and conclusions PAW appears to have a synergistic effect on the disinfection of food while it can also promote seedling growth of seeds. The increase in the nitrate and nitrite ions in the PAW could be the main reason for the increase in plant growth. Soaking seeds in PAW not only serves as an anti-bacterial but also enhances the seed germination and plant growth. PAW could potentially be used to increase crop yield and to fight against the drought stress environmental conditions.

Carbon-Based Single-Atom Catalysts for Advanced Applications

Abstract: Carbon-based materials are widely employed as metal-free catalysts or supports in catalysis, energy, and ecological applications because of their interesting properties. Generally, their high surfa...