NRL and IIT Guwahati Partner for Bamboo-Based Green Activated Carbon Technology

GUWAHATI: In a significant step towards sustainable technology innovation, Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) has entered into a collaborative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG) located in Assam. The primary objective of this partnership is the development of cutting-edge technology for the production of marketable-grade green activated carbon derived from bamboo dust.

The inception of bamboo dust as a valuable resource stems from the preparation of bamboo chips for NRL's forthcoming 2nd Generation Biorefinery. This venture is being established through the joint efforts of NRL and Assam Bio-Refinery Private Limited, a joint venture company. A pivotal facet of this joint initiative includes the establishment of a plant with a robust capacity of 5 metric tons per batch. This plant will facilitate the pyrolysis process, a method central to converting bamboo dust into green activated carbon.

An NRL spokesperson underlined the far-reaching ambitions of this research and development undertaking. Beyond the creation of marketable-grade green activated carbon, the project aspires to engineer technology capable of producing exceptionally high-quality chemically activated carbon. The potential applications for this advanced carbon variant span diverse industries, encompassing pharmaceuticals, electronics, and mining.

“This research and development project is also aimed at developing technology for the production of very high-grade chemically activated carbon with applications in the pharmaceutical, electronics, and mining industries,” said a senior NRL official.

The MoU signing event, a culmination of shared visions for sustainable technology, featured representatives from both NRL and IIT Guwahati. The official signing was executed by Senior Chief General Manager (Corporate Affairs) Nikunja Borthakur on behalf of NRL, while Professor G Krishnamoorthy, the Dean of IISI at IIT Guwahati, represented the esteemed institute.

The collaborative nature of this venture resonated in the event's ambience, with witnesses including Sanjay Choudhuri, Director (Finance) of NRL, Professor Senthilmurugan Subbiah from IITG, and senior officials from both NRL and IIT Guwahati.

The project's essence encapsulates an industry-academia synergy, fortified by the exchange of crucial data and knowledge between NRL and IIT Guwahati. This engagement is anticipated to result in a mutual augmentation of capabilities, propelling NRL's sustainable efforts and IIT Guwahati's research prowess.

In a world gradually embracing eco-friendly and sustainable practices, this collaboration stands as a beacon of innovation. NRL and IIT Guwahati's united pursuit holds the promise of revolutionizing the activated carbon landscape, transcending conventional boundaries, and nurturing a greener industrial future.

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