Mines and minerals technology comes of age
IMMT’s contribution to ‘Make in India’
Bhaskar Parichha
In the last few months Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Make in India initiative has boosted the prospects of several sectors. The minerals and mines sector is unquestionably one of those sectors which have come of age. Entrepreneurs and businessmen have shown their interest in some of the prototypes developed by Bhubaneswar-based Institute of Mineral & Material Technology (CSIR-IMMT). In the recently concluded MSME fair in Bubaneswar, IMMT amply demonstrated its capability and many local entrepreneurs were drawn to these archetypes.
Ever since the change in nomenclature (RRL, Bhuabneswar becoming IMMT in 2007) this regional research laboratory in heart of the city has consistently been contributing its research and technological knowledge to boost entrepreneurship-driven growth of industrial clusters. Enabling young engineers and scientists to uncover government’s various mission programmes like ‘Start-up India’, ‘Make in India’ and ‘Swachh Bharat’ etc. has been yet another objective of IMMT.
“Today, we are the first choice of many mineral based industries, because we have been trying to develop a niche market for products and processes with value addition to minerals and material resources”, says Prof. Barada Kanta Mishra, Director, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar.
The Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department of the Odisha government recently organized the ‘Odisha MSME Trade Fair 2017’ in a bid to promote the MSME sector and encourage innovations, start ups and entrepreneurship among youth. IMMT along with its sister institutions from across the country participated in the fair.
For several years now, IMMT has been developing expertise in conducting basic research and technology- oriented programs on a wide range of areas, particularly the mining sector. To make sure the mining, mineral and metals industries in the state grew in a sustained manner, IMMT has come up with several innovative products.
The main thrust of research and design at CSIR-IMMT has been to equip the Indian industries to meet the challenges of globalization by providing advanced and zero waste process know-how .Additionally, IMMT has been involving itself in consultancy services for commercial exploitation of natural resources through the much-avowed PPP approach.
The IMMT has recently developed a wastewater treatment technology which can be set up with a minimum capital and can run without electricity, chemicals or machineries. The technology named ‘Constructed Wetlands for treating wastewater’ is ideal for treatment of domestic and municipal wastewater in cities.
The technology involves a multi-layered process of adsorption, filtration, sedimentation, biological uptake, degradation, plant uptake, natural aeration and valorization. During the course of treatment, the constructed wetlands produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide from atmosphere, says senior scientist, Dr Asheesh Kumar Yadav.
Innovative 24X7 zero energy lighting in rural shelters,flyash brick technology, gemstone processing, monitoring air pollution on real time basis,biochart fertilizer, low-cost organo-mineral fertilizer, pellet technology, low grade iron ore beneficiation, biomass cookstoves,high purity graphite and grapheme production are some of the areas where IMMT has successfully developed replicable models.
For the common business types, a multi-purpose biomass drier has been developed which can be used for drying and heating of various agricultural products, food and industrial materials in a cleaner environment. The temperature range is just about 50 to 200 degree centigrade.Intertestingly, the drier does not need electricity.
It’s suitable for drying noodles, vermicelli, potato chips, tea, spices, parboiled rice, fish, meat industrial products heat paint automobile and furniture. Yet another innovative devise of IMMT is low-cost biomass operated bakery oven. It’s a wood-fired portable bakery oven appropriate for small bakeries and households.
Terafil water filter is a low cost device that has also been developed by IMMT.Terafil is an inexpensive and sustainable water purification disc/candle produced from locally available material like red clay pottery, sand and saw dust.
IMMT’s focal point has been gemstone enhancement and advanced characterization. Gemstone entrepreneurs can not only benefit from the technical knowhow provided by the institute, it can help provide employment to hundreds of gem-stone artistes. From separation of gemstone minerals to training on gemstone identification and from consultancy to collaboration IMMT has a slew of innovative products on its shelves and, in fact, it has a lead.
What’smore, CSIR-IMMT provides technology, engineering drawings, operational training and demonstration all in one go. It is the one- stop shop for entrepreneurs – small and big – who aspire to have a say in India’s flagship programme ‘Make in India’.
(Courtesy: The Political and Business Daily)
