S. L. Narayanamurthy 

Details of Research Interests: 

A major portion of the research projects have concerned the solvent extraction of metals from aqueous solutions - using liquid ion exchangers for metal recovery or metal removal purposes. Liquid membrane permeation as a means of removal of toxic metals from waste waters or process streams has been another facet of research, with the focus being on emulsification, emulsion stability and break-up - especially during mass transfer, and, demulsification. Currently pursued research projects concern performance and development of coalescence promoters. Extraction of organic acids from dil. aqueous streams has been another active area, with emphasis on solvent evaluation and packed column performance characteristics; wire mesh pads as packings are currently under study for low interfacial tension systems. The performance characteristics of packed columns for Direct Contact Liquid-Liquid Heat Transfer has been the subject of a few experimental projects. 

Process Engineering studies for the production of phosphate esters useful in liquid-liquid extraction applications has been a related research interest; such studies have also been extended to other esterification reactions involving liquid-liquid reactions.

Selected Publications: 

1. Vyas S.N., Narayanamurthy S.L., and Mathur A.K., "Oxidation of manganese dioxide with potassium hydroxide to alkali manganates", Indian J. of Technology, 24, 721-724, (1986).
2. Lagoo, C.K., Shankar, H.S., and Narayanamurthy S.L., "Mass transfer studies in liquid membrane separation of hydrocarbon mixtures", Indian Chemical Engineer, 27(2), 52-54 (1985).
3. Shankar, H.S., Narayanamurthy S.L., and Kudchadker, A.P., "Hydrolysis of castor oil by castor lipase", Proceedings of International Chemical Engineering Congress, Pune, January 1984, in "Frontiers in Chemical Reaction Engineering", Ed., Doraiswamy, L.K. and Mashelkar, R.A., Vol. I, pp. John Wiley, New Delhi, 1984.
4. Narayanamurthy S.L., "A five year co-operative integrated masters degree programme - an experiment in collaborative education", Second International Conference on Chemical Engineering Education, Robinson College, Cambridge (U.K.), April 14-16, 1987; also in I. CHEM.E. SYMPOSIUM SERIES, No. 101, 1987, published by the Institution of Chemical Engineers, 
5. Narayanamurthy S.L., and Suresh, A.K., "Liquid membrane permeation - some unresolved problems", Fourth National Conference on Surfactant, Emulsions and Biocolloids, Dec. 11-13, 1989.