The Energy And Resources Institute Research Articles

Laboratory investigation and core flood demonstration of enhanced biogenic methane generation from lignite.

Over the last several decades, coalbed methane (CBM) has emerged as an important energy source in developing nations like India as well as worldwide and is expected to play a significant role in the energy portfolio of the future. The current scenario of rapid exhaustion of fossil fuels is leading to the need to explore alternative and efficient fuel resources. The present study demonstrates enhanced methane production per gram of lignite (lowest-rank coal). Optimization of the bioconversion of lignite to methane revealed 55°C temperature and 1.5g/L NaCl concentration as ambient conditions for the process. A scale-up study in the optimized condition showed 2,800mM methane production per 25g of lignite in anaerobic conditions. Further, Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) analysis showed bioconversion of lignite into simpler intermediate substrates required for methane production. The results highlighted that the bacterial action first converts lignite into volatile fatty acids, which subsequently get converted into methane. Further, the exploration of indigenous microbial consortia in Tharad well (THAA) mainly comprises the order Methanosarcinales and Methanomicrobiales. The pathogenicity of the microbial consortium THAA was declared safe for use in mice via the oral route by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India. The study demonstrated the development of indigenous consortia (TERI THAA), which can potentially enhance methane production from the lowest coal grade under extreme conditions in Indian coal beds.

Building Competencies Amongst Youth to Mainstream Knowledge and Soft Skills to Enable a Transformative Impact on the Society

The world is recognizing the relevance and scope of Sustainability Science (SS) as it integrates the disciplines ranging from pure sciences and social sciences and their specializations. Hence, a balance between policies, research, and direct action is integral to the field of SS. Interdisciplinarity is important for SS, and this is a relatively new area. Hence, experiments done within the scope of SS need to be recorded and intensive dissemination of lessons learnt (Haider, 2018). The youth of today should be aware of these new upcoming disciplines and be able to align their strengths to address environmental challenges with interdisciplinary skills. The future belongs to the youth, and they will also be impacted the most. Representative of vibrance and positive energies, young people are our future citizenry. The need of the hour is to enhance their knowledge of sustainability and improve their skill sets. This is achievable only when the capacity-building initiatives are planned with the right mix of pedagogy, limiting not only to subject matter knowledge but beyond, hence touching the sphere of SS. At TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), different permutations and combinations are tried to make learning creative and, at the same time, have the potential to apply learning in a larger setting. This paper presents the findings of a project run by TERI in partnership with NCSTC (National Council for Science and Technology Communication), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. TERI implemented TERI-NCSTC Eco Next Investigation for Youth, which comprised six trainings of five days each on local environmental issues. Along with core environmental learning, these workshops were also enriched with science communication and leadership training. Post this training; a few selected students worked on action projects that promised a transformative impact in their immediate neighborhoods. Through the program, TERI directly reached out to 175 students and also influenced 20 students to implement pathbreaking changes in their surroundings. The program helped students enhance their knowledge about issues related to nature conservation, eco-restoration, and nature-based solutions through tools that stressed cocreation, leadership skills, innovative approaches, and experimentation. The paper also stresses upon future research area on citizen science concept and ways in which a connect could be established with environmental education.

Integration of TADOX® technology to improve water reuse efficiency of constructed wetland-treated water

Abstract Constructed wetland (CW) is an effective and economical decentralized wastewater treatment (DWWT) method implemented in various developing nations. Such CW-treated water may be good for meeting discharge norms but when it comes to high-end reuse, it requires polishing and integration with advanced oxidation process (AOP)-based treatment. In this pursuit, TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) Advanced Oxidation Technology (TADOX®) may be able to polish such streams and make the CW-treated water reusable. TADOX utilizes UV-TiO2 Photocatalysis (PC) as a secondary treatment followed by nanomaterial recovery. This study aims at evaluating TADOX treatment to polish treated water from a root zone treatment (RZT) plant. Performance evaluation of the treatments is evaluated based on key parameters for treated sewage water such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids, color, pathogens (total and thermotolerant coliforms), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as caffeine, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and diclofenac.

TERI Advanced Oxidation Technology (TADOX®) to treat industrial wastewater with integration at pre- and post-biological stage: case studies from India

Abstract The current problem with industrial wastewater treatment is that we rely heavily on biological treatment systems without realising that these have severe limitations in terms of shock load-bearing capacities, ineffectiveness against removal of toxicity and recalcitrant and dissolved organics. However, biological systems have their own benefits as well. Therefore, it is essential to support them with integration of advanced oxidation nanotechnology (AON) interventions, which are expected to address these challenges. In this pursuit, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has developed an AON-based wastewater treatment technology called TERI Advanced Oxidation Technology (TADOX®). This paper presents two sections of three case studies each, to showcase how TADOX® technology intervention at pre-biological and post-biological treatment helps in achieving adequate treatment. In the first section, TADOX® has been implemented at pre-biological stage for three highly polluting streams from (i) phenolic wastewater from a 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4 D) plant from a Gujarat pesticide manufacturing company, (ii) phenolic wastewater from an anisole plant of a Gujarat chemical industry, and (iii) hydrocarbon-rich effluent from the Jharkand oil and gas sector. Pre-biological integration is expected to support biological treatment by reduction in COD, toxicity, microbial growth hindering compounds and increase in biodegradability (BOD to COD ratio). The second section in the paper explores the implementation potential of TADOX® to treat biologically treated streams from (i) Uttarakhand pharmaceutical, (ii) Uttar Pradesh tannery and (iii) Uttar Pradesh slaughterhouse. The post-biological integration is expected to remove residual COD, colour, BOD and odour leading to treated water meeting norms for safe surface discharge and water reuse. Presented studies from India may be useful and relevant to other developing countries as a possible approach to sustainably manage water resources, together meeting the challenges of economic growth, industrial development, and regulatory and environmental compliance.

Improving energy efficiency and economic feasibility of photocatalytic treatment of synthetic and real textile wastewater using bagasse fly ash modified TiO2

TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) has recently developed a novel wastewater treatment technology called TERI Advanced Oxidation Technology (TADOX), which provides an end-to-end treatment of textile and dyeing industry wastewater within a few hours without any kind of bioremediation in the treatment trail. It involves UV/n-TiO2 Photocatalysis during secondary treatment; Photocatalysis, is a promising approach for treating difficult wastewater, however there is always effort to reduce cost and electrical energy consumption. In this pursuit, TiO2 was modified using Bagasse Fly Ash (BFA) to form a nanocomposite BFA-TiO2, which led to increased surface area and higher adsorptive capacity as compared to Bare TiO2. Both nanomaterials and BFA alone were characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and BET (Brunauer-Emmet-Teller) surface area analysis. These nanomaterials acted as photocatalysts in TADOX treatment of synthetic dye bath and real textile & dyeing wastewater and the overall performance of both materials was evaluated based on % Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal, Electrical energy per Order (EEO) and Electrical energy consumption per unit wastewater treatment (EEvolume). Further, the cost of treatment per kg COD removed and overall cost of treatment per unit wastewater treated were also calculated. Results indicate that modification of TiO2 with BFA appears to be a promising approach towards higher % COD removal, lower EEO and lower cost of treatment per kg COD.

Cover: Journal of Basic Microbiology. 8/2019

Journal of Basic MicrobiologyVolume 59, Issue 8 p. 765-765 COVER PICTUREFree Access Cover: Journal of Basic Microbiology. 8/2019 First published: 01 August 2019 https://doi.org/10.1002/jobm.201970019AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Graphical Abstract Cover illustration: Hyphal coil: a vertical side view of coiled hyphae formed during mycorrhizal ontogenesis in axenically developed coculture of transformed root of Daucus carota and Rhizophagus irregularis. (Photo: Shikha Chaudhary, TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, TERI Gram, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Gwal Pahari, Gurugram, Haryana, India) Volume59, Issue8August 2019Pages 765-765 RelatedInformation

Japan–India Technology Matchmaking Platform: Approach to Promote Japanese Low Carbon Technologies in Indian Industries

This paper details the efforts made by Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), under their Japan–India collaborative projects, to promote low carbon technologies (LCT) among small and medium

Factors associated with sustained use of improved solid fuel cookstoves: A case study from Kenya

Improved solid fuel cookstoves have been a focus of development efforts to address health and environmental problems caused by traditional cooking practices in Kenya. However, a review of Kenya's experience in promoting improved solid fuel cookstoves shows that the focus has been on (increasing) production and dissemination of improved cookstoves, overlooking the fact that some of the disseminated cookstoves are used less regularly or even abandoned. This study examines factors that influence the usage rate of improved solid fuel cookstoves, drawing on a survey of cookstove users conducted in Kenya through a project implemented by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The results show that sustained use of improved solid fuel cookstoves over time is significantly predicted by awareness creation activities and reputation of the new cookstoves among community members. These insights suggest that cookstove-disseminating organisations should pay attention to these two factors to ensure sustained use of improved solid fuel cookstoves in Kenya and perhaps other developing countries.

Facilitating Green Building Adoption -- An Optimization Based Decision Support Tool

The US Environmental Protection Agency defines green buildings as the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from site selection to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction.The adoption of green building norms in India is a relatively new phenomenon. The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has been the torch bearer for this effort since 2001. There are three major green building guidelines currently being adopted in India: (1) LEED®-New Construction LEED-NC); (2) GRIHA® by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) that was established voluntarily to rate buildings; and (3) LEED®-INDIA released by the Indian Green Building Council which is inspired by LEED-NC and includes alterations based on Indian construction environment.The decision to opt for green construction and the level of green aspirations is constrained by the extra cost of going green, i.e. the green premium. The level of environment friendliness, given by the rating of the building, is not arrived at in a scientific manner by considering the options and their cost implications. Risk averse owners, in spite of their desire to go green, are hindered by a lack of information on the various options and ability to decide which options to choose. This information, if made available as a decision support tool, can be valuable in bringing green buildings into the mainstream. The non availability of such a tool is a major barrier in the growth of the green building movement (USEPA report “Removing market barriers to green development”).The objective of this work is to develop an optimization based decision support tool that can be used to either arrive at the optimal green rating given the budget and choice constraints; or at the optimal green premium given the green rating aspirations. These can help a builder optimize green ratings or greening costs, as desired, or by a policy maker to come up with appropriate and effective policies. The Indian GRIHA rating guidelines are used as inputs for measuring the green rating of a building. In addition sensitivity to costs, of socially important parameters such as use of solar energy, fly-ash etc., of choices made for achieving desired green ratings are studied. This can help drive appropriate policy initiatives for adoption of such technologies.

Occurrence and Remediation of Pollutants in the Environment

1Department of Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain 2Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620 024, India 3Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 200-701, Republic of Korea 4Energy Environment Technology Development Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Darbari Seth Block, India Habitat Centre (IHC), Lodi Road, New Delhi 110 003, India 5Center for Health Disparities and College of Nursing, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA

Feasibility Study of Indigenously Developed Fly Ash Membrane in Municipal Wastewater Treatment

Afly ash membrane developed by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi was studied for its applicability in municipal wastewater treatment. In particular, the effect of aeration on preventing membrane fouling was studied. The velocity field generated by aeration was studied to understand how the rising bubbles would efficiently scour the membrane filter and prevent fouling. Particle image velocimetry was used to monitor the air bubble movement along the membrane surface. The optimal reactor configuration (membrane module orientation) for which the aeration would impart maximum shear over the membrane was determined using potable water. This reactor configuration was later used for the biological treatment of synthetic wastewater. The second aspect of the study involved designing a support system to improve the strength of the membrane. Membrane modules without any internal support were able to withstand trans-membrane pressures (TMP) up to 270mmHg. Two types of frames/seperators were used to increase membrane strength. In one type of the frame, support was unidirectional and in another, bidirectional. Bidirectionallysupported membranes were able to withstanda TMP of 760mmHg for a period of 7 days. At a constant filtration rate, a membrane bioreactor with more than one membrane in parallel operation was able to delay the fouling process than in a single membrane system due to lesser pressure across the membranes. As expected, membrane fouling took longer time in the systems operated at higher air flowrate due to better scouring action of the air bubbles.

Glycine–Glomus–Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria Interactions Lead to Fertilizer Phosphorus Economy in Soybean in a Himalayan Acid Alfisol

Effects of Glycine–Glomus–phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) interactions were studied on productivity, nutrient dynamics, and root colonization in soybean in a phosphorus (P)–deficient Himalayan acidic Alfisol in a greenhouse experiment. Treatments consisted of three vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) cultures, VAML [VAM culture, Glomus mosseae, developed by CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, India], VAMT [VAM culture, Glomus intraradices, developed by Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India], and VAMI [VAM culture, Glomus mosseae, developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India], and a local PSB culture (Pseudomonas striata) alone or in combination with or without 75% of recommended phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) dose based on targeted yield concept following the soil-test crop response (STCR) precision model. Sole application of PSB or either of the above VAM cultures considerably enhanced VA-mycorrhizal root colonization and root weight besides crop productivity and nutrient uptake over control. A similar stimulatory effect with significant enhancement on mycorrhizal root colonization and root weight was observed with coinoculation of PSB and VAM cultures over the control. Dual inoculation of VAM and PSB cultures also resulted in significant improvement in grain and straw yield besides grain protein content, thereby revealing a synergistic interaction between VAM and PSB. Coinoculation with either of VAMT (Glomus intraradices) or VAMI (Glomus mosseae) + PSB + 75% P2O5 dose remained at par with sole application of 100% P2O5 dose with respect to crop productivity, nutrient content, nutrient uptake, and soil fertility status besides the greatest root colonization and root weight at flowering, indicating that Glycine–Glomus–PSB interactions in combination with 75% P2O5 dose based on STCR precision model lead to economization of fertilizer P by about one-fourth without impairing crop productivity and soil fertility in soybean in a Himalayan acidic Alfisol.

Effects of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae and Applied Phosphorus through Targeted Yield Precision Model on Root Morphology, Productivity, and Nutrient Dynamics in Soybean in an Acid Alfisol

A field experiment was conducted in a phosphorus (P)–deficient acidic Alfisol in northwestern Himalayas to study the effect of three vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) cultures [VAML, local VAM culture (Glomus mosseae) developed by CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, India; VAMT, VAM culture (Glomus intraradices) developed by Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India; and VAMI, VAM culture (Glomus mosseae) developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India] on growth, productivity, and nutrient dynamics in rainfed soybean. Plant height, aboveground dry matter, root dry matter, total dry matter, root length, root weight density, Rhizobium root nodule count, root colonization, yield attributes, yield, and nutrient uptake of soybean increased consistently and significantly with increase in inorganic P levels from 25 to 75% of recommended P2O5 dose based on targeted yield precision model coupled with various VAM cultures. VAMT (Glomus intraradices) at each P level showed its superiority over VAMI and VAML. Sole application of any of the three VAM cultures produced similar growth and development parameters as well as grain yield (18.68 to 19.08 q ha−1) as produced through farmers’ practice (nitrogen at 20 kg ha−1), indicating that VAM has a vital role in root morphology and nutrient dynamics in a soil–plant system, though significantly greater productivity was obtained with 100% of the recommended P2O5 dose based on soil-test crop response (STCR) precision model without VAM inoculation. Targeted grain yield of soybean (25 q ha−1) was achievable with 75% of the recommended P2O5 dose applied with any of the three VAM fungi cultures without impairing soil fertility, thereby indicating that VAM fungi can save about 25% P fertilizer in soybean in P-deficient acidic Alfisols of northwestern Himalayas.

Mycorrhiza for all: an under‐earth revolution

Mycorrhiza for all: an under‐earth revolution

ENGLISH

It is a constant endeavour of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)—Library and InformationCentre (LIC) to cater best information services to the users community, which comprises of researchprofessionals working in the fi eld of energy, environment and sustainable development. Understandingthe consumer of data, information and knowledge to accomplish the projects, is becoming increasinglyimportant in relation to the appropriate designing and development of information products and services‘tailoring’ to the needs of these users. To cater the services to the research professional’s different serviceplatforms are used such as, web-enabled information services etc. These services are assessed in termsof quality, timeliness, reliability and usability. The paper describes about the TERI digital library initiativeand various digital services provided by TERI Library and the method of analysis opted by TERI Libraryprofessional to assess these services such as google analytic and user survey techniques. The paperalso highlights the result of user satisfaction survey undertaken in the year 2011. The methodology, surveysoftware, data analysis, result and the action taken in response to the user feedback are highlighted inthis paper. http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/djlit.33.1.3731

Distribution of improved cook stoves: analysis of field experiments using strategic niche management theory

Close to three billion people globally and over 800 million in India are dependent on direct combustion of unprocessed solid biomass fuels in inefficient traditional mud stoves. Current cooking practices, besides causing serious health problems, are also being linked to emissions of climate change and pollution agents such as black carbon and ozone precursors. In India several initiatives have been taken up to tackle the problem but the present trajectory of limited technical and social change in cooking energy use is nonetheless persistent in rural areas. In order to develop and scale up alternative cooking technology options, we have analyzed, using the principles of strategic niche management, two projects implemented by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in nine villages in India. The assessment, while highlighting reasons for stability of the current cooking regime, also points to triggers that can destabilize the regime. The focus is also on assessing the influence of protection in the form of subsidies on the process of transition. User preferences relating to social and technical aspects have been analyzed, pointing to forced draft cookstoves as the preferred option notwithstanding cost reductions to address affordability concerns. The assessment indicates that while it is critically important to understand and address the preferences of users and to improve the technology, scaling up will depend on stove cost reduction through further research. Creativity in effective financing schemes and support structures put in place by fostering public–private partnerships are also needed.

Prioritizing towards a green export portfolio for India: An environmental input–output approach

Proponents of free trade have often hailed international trade as an engine of economic growth. However, the foreign trade sector, like many other sectors in developing countries, frequently involves these countries walking a tightrope between their developmental objectives and environmental goals. In this regard, prioritizing for developing a ‘green’ yet internationally competitive export portfolio provides a quintessential win–win solution to the problem. This study factors in both environmental benignity (indicated by total CO 2 emission intensity) as well as trade competitiveness (indicated by revealed comparative advantage index) in identifying the ‘ideal’ Indian export portfolio. The analysis calculates the level of direct and indirect emissions from the foreign trade sector (exports and imports) using the environmental input–output (EIO) matrix for 2003/04 for India that has been jointly developed by researchers from Keio University, Japan, and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi. The derived basket is compared to the current portfolio to estimate the potential saving from compositional changes and to suggest directions for policymaking to emphasize or de-emphasize the export of certain categories of exports.

Towards cleaner technologies in small and micro enterprises: a process-based case study of foundry industry in India

In 1991, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) established a program to support developing countries in protecting the global environment. In collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, SDC India selected the foundry industry as one of the prominent areas in which to introduce environment-friendly technologies. In this paper, we focus on the process by which the SDC–TERI partnership developed and demonstrated an energy-efficient divided-blast cupola (DBC) and a highly effective pollution control device. We also discuss the measures taken to aid replication of these technologies, and to improve the socio-economic conditions of foundry workers.

The TERI ENVIS Centre: an Indian information centre on renewable energy and the environment

Realizing the dearth of environmental information in India, the Ministry of Environment and Forests established an Environmental Information System (ENVIS) as a plan programme in December 1982. The focus of ENVIS since its inception has been on providing environmental information to decision makers, policy planners, scientists and engineers, research workers, etc., all over India. Under this programme a few organizations were identified as centres of excellence and requested to host ENVIS Centres on various environmental areas. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi was identified as the ENVIS Centre on Renewable Energy and Environment. This paper highlights the activities performed at the TERI ENVIS Centre and the various tools used, such as web sites, publications, etc., to disseminate information among researchers, consultants and policy makers. It also outlines future courses of action for the Centre.

TERI Integrated Digital Library Initiative

PurposeThe paper seeks to describe the setting up of the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Digital library, which provides better single window access for researchers to access the structured information from their desktop. The aim of this paper is to share the experience gained and invite comments and suggestions for further improvement.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes a case study of TERI's Integrated Digital Library resources and digitization in detail and how the digital resources can be accessed through a single window. It also deals with basic problems and suggests practical solutions.FindingsThe paper finds that TERI Integrated Digital Library has been created to provide access to all digital and digitized offline and online resources, online e‐journals, electronic documents and virtual resources, and virtual libraries. The purpose of the integrated library is to provide a single window to researchers, through which they can access all the resources (both digitally born resources and digitized documents). Once users are able to access the Digital Library homepage, all the electronic resources are accessible using linkages with a single click, no matter whether they are available in a database or as a simple file in a virtual collection. A physical digital library has been created to address access to all the LAN connected systems that provide CD‐ROM access and journals and books downloaded or purchased for all time free access to in‐house users.Research limitations/implicationsIntegration has helped in saving researchers' valuable time. Library management has become easier and much more effective than was previously the case. Any additions to existing resources are announced by e‐mail for user access. Future plans are to make the resources highly interoperable across platforms or applications, so that platforms should not be a problem. Once a search is initiated, the search engine from the main search window should be able to hand over the search to subsequent search windows for any given database (bibliographic and full text). Once a search is handed over to the subordinate search engines, it should be able to retrieve the items and display the retrieved items in the main window. Future libraries seem to have no escape from the integrated digital library approach other than to an integrated digital collection that will make all available resources accessible from a single window.Originality/valueThis paper could be useful for small and medium special and research libraries who do not have enough funds to start with commercially available digital library software. This paper shows the way to start using Open Source Software, which is easy to use and has been used by the libraries with little effort.