Radiation Based Technologies
Irradiation technology finds applications in processing of food, agriculture products, healthcare and cosmetic products, crosslinking of wires and cables, and modification of polymers for various end use.
Major R & D Projects
SRI has worked on following radiation-based technologies:
- Shelf-life enhancement of fruits
Optimization of gamma radiation doses for shelf-life enhancement of apples has been carried out. Irradiation increases shelf-life by delaying the ripening process.
- Detoxification of aflatoxin in peanuts
Toxic aflatoxin metabolites which are carcinogenic are found in peanuts. Irradiation of peanuts by UV and gamma rays has been able to detoxify the aflatoxin.
- Epoxy based composites by electron beam curing process
Glass fibre-Epoxy composites with superior mechanical & thermal properties have been developed for automobiles and aircraft applications.
- Wood polymer composites
Wood polymer composites based on inferior wood species have been developed with properties comparable to or better than teak.
- Remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls found in oil, capacitors and paint scrapings of old ships have been radiolysed by gamma irradiation.
- Surface coating formulations for wood laminates
The high performance electron beam curable surface coating formulation for wood, wood laminates/boards based on 100% solid acrylate offer superior combination of properties leading to versatility of performance.
- Treatment of city sewage by radiation
Effect of gamma radiation treatment on sewage was studied. Reduction in microbiological load (BOD and COD) in waste sewage was achieved by gamma irradiation. Improvement in the settling time of waste was also observed.
- PVC compounds for wire and cable industry
Crosslinking in PVC compounds was achieved using gamma irradiation. Crosslinked PVC compound was found to have good thermo-mechanical properties.
- Colouration of Gem-stones
Different colours in gem stones were achieved by exposing them at various radiation doses.
Waste Utilization
Plastic Waste
The rapid rate of industrialization and urbanization has led to increasing amount of industrial as well as municipal waste, which poses great difficulties in its disposal. Keeping in view the environmental hazards associated with the plastic, there is an urgent need to develop eco- friendly ways for utilization of such type of waste.
SRI has successfully developed various ecofriendly ways for utilization of plastic waste which include:
- Process Engineered Fuels (PEFs) from plastic wastes
Process engineered fuels with different calorific values have been developed from plastic and agri wastes, which may be used in boilers, furnaces and kilns.
- Road Construction
Composition comprising bitumen, concrete and plastic wastes were developed for road construction having better properties than the conventional bituminous road.
- Value Added Products
Plastic furnitures made from waste material with good durability and aesthetics have been developed.Polypallets developed at SRI were found excellent substitute of wood pallets for stacking of sacks.
Agro Waste
SRI has been undertaking projects for utilization of various agro wastes. Some of the projects undertaken are:
- Precipitated silica from rice husk ash
Rice husk ash poses environmental problem during disposal off. SRI has developed technology to make silica from this waste material.
- Microcrystalline cellulose from ground nut shell
The shells of peanuts are useless and are environmental hazard. SRI has successfully developed a technology for making microcrystalline cellulose from this waste.
Industrial Waste
Lot of industrial waste is generated in processing and production industries which poses environmental problem. SRI has been undertaking projects for value addition in an environment friendly way. Some of the projects undertaken in this field are:
- Ordinary portland cement from flyash
Flyash is considered to be a potential environmental hazard during disposal. This has been successfully used in cement compositions without impairing the performance of the cement.
- Tiles from ceramic fiber waste
Waste ceramic short fibers creating environmental problem are used to make antistatic floor tiles with good aesthetics.
Facilities Available
Instrument Laboratory
SRI has a wide range of state of the art equipment for characterization of polymers, which includes:
- Thermal Analysis Instruments
- Differential Scanning Calorimeter 910/TA 2100
- Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimeter TA-2910
- SDT-2960 Simultaneous DTA-TGA
- Heat Distortion and Vicat Softening Point Apparatus
- Instruments For Rheological Properties
- Rheocord-RC-90 Torque Rheometer
- Mixer Module
- Extruder Module with Single and Conical Twin Screws
- Haake Rotaviscometer RV-12 & RV-30
Pilot Plant
SRI has a rich pilot plant facility housing various processing equipment, which include:
- Polymer Processing Equipment
- Injection moulding
- Extruder with pelletizer
- Pipe extrusion line
- Compression moulding
- Scrap cutter & grinder
- Two roll mills for rubber/plastic compounding
- Polymer dispersion kneader with online pelletizer
- High speed plastic blender
- Agglomerator
- Dispersion kneader
- Others
- Adhesive coating machine
- Ball mill
- Stainless steel / Glass lined reactors
- Vacuum impregnation unit
Technologies Available For Commmercialization
- Technology for the production of cling film for packaging applications.
- Plastic wares for biotechnological research.
- Cross-linkable compositions based on PVC & PE by EB irradiation for high performance wires and cables.
- Technology for the manufacture of low cost disposable sanitary napkins.
- Water based adhesive for tyre retreading.
- Ceramic fiber insulated laminated board for interior application.
- Technology for road marking paint.
- Technology for glue stick.
- Process for colorless, orderless lanolin
- Dental cement
- Blood bag
- Bone cement
- Vaginal Speculum
- Hot melt adhesive for book binding
