Green Chemistry and Green Engineering to build cleaner, smarter, and more efficient chemical processes

Our work revolves around the sustainable production of fine chemicals and the transformation of conventional methods through Process Intensification, especially using Multifunctional Reactors—systems that ingeniously combine chemical reactions with separation or heat exchange processes to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

We specialize in Reaction Engineering and Catalysis, where we rigorously evaluate catalytic performance to develop more selective, active, and durable catalysts. These efforts not only improve yields but also significantly lower waste and energy consumption. Our commitment extends into the realm of the Circular Economy (CE) and waste management, where we explore ways to valorize waste streams and close the material loop for a more sustainable industrial future.

Collaboration is the cornerstone of our progress. We are proud to work hand-in-hand with leading industrial partners such as Jay Chemicals, Harmony Chemicals, Rextone, Aarti Industries,  Praj Industries, Revotech Industries, Deccan Crest Engineering, etc. Additionally, we engage in impactful research with central and state government bodies including DST (Department of Science & Technology) and RGSTC (Rajiv Gandhi Science & Technology Commission).


Research Areas

Catalytic Performance Evaluation

Screening of optimal catalysts, contacting patterns, and kinetic studies for acid-catalyzed and redox chemistries through gram-scale batch experiments, followed by continuous fixed-bed experiments under atmospheric and high-pressure conditions. We monitor the extent of the reaction through Gas chromatography (GC) and High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) techniques. We also do…

Process Intensification through Multifunctional reactors: Multifunctional reactors combine reactor with other unit operation

such as distillation, adsorption, stripping etc. These have several advantages such as reduction in capital cost, increasing selectivity and conversion and decrease in overall cost of the process.…

In this area, we identify the scope and opportunity for CE in the existing manufacturing processes that generate huge amounts of waste, and work on technologies to valorise the waste and possibly recycle. For example, we have developed and patented a technology to mechanically and chemically reclaiming waste foundry sand and recycle it back to the foundry thereby reducing dumping and mining. In another project, we have developed gasifier for high ash garden/agri/forest waste to be used for thermal applications.

Biomass gasification

Biomass gasification presents a cleaner, renewable alternative to conventional wood and fossil fuel-based cooking systems. This study explores the feasibility, opportunities, and challenges of implementing biomass gasifier technology in the Indian context. Field trials of biomass gasifiers were conducted, with practical issues systematically documented and analyzed. A comprehensive SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis was performed to assess the project's viability. The field results indicate that gasifier-based…


Other information

People

  • Principal-investigator
  • M-Tech
  • PhD-Scholar
  • PostDoctoral-Researchers
  • Research-Staff
  • Alumni
SMM
Prof. Sanjay M Mahajani

Professor

sanjaym [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Akash S Shinde

Technical Superintendent

sakash [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Saikat Saha

214020017 [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Anita Rawat

24m0430 [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Akash Sunilrao Shinde

193025001 [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Ranjana Unnikrishnan

204020013 [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Goutam Narayan Tumulu

narayangoutam07 [at] gmail [dot] com
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Divya Vats

204020005 [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Fazil. A

194023001 [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Vishwambhar ChavanPatil

214026007 [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Mr. Dibyarup Majumdar

204020002 [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Swati Saini

PhD Student

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Mr. Dheeraj
Dheeraj Bhardwaj

PhD Student

24d0124 [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Swati Saini

Post doctorate student

swati [dot] saini [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Nagesh Mulik

nageshmulik [at] gmail [dot] com
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Venkatesh Mathad

venkateshmathad7 [at] gmail [dot] com
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Sheetal Gawli

sheetalgawli4 [at] gmail [dot] com
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Karthik Bhati

M tech student

24m0398 [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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Mr. Sunil Kumar
Mr Sunil Kumar

24M0407 [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
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