requirement is envisaged to be installed in two wet processing units.

Two wet processing units have

been identified at Surat Gujarat. Membrane filtration systems suitable for water recycling at these
units have been developed. The units have been installed and commissioned. Running trials at the
shop floor are ongoing. Periodic data of effluent is being collected and analysed from both the units to
evaluate the efficacy of the developed systems.
3) Commissioning and Installation of 2No’s already developed Ultrasonic low energy dyeing
technique

Fig. 4.14

SASMIRA had already developed prototype of the low energy dyeing machine shown above, both
winch and open width dyeing machine under DST. Under this project commercial viability of the
developed technology would be studied by installing this machine at two wet processing units. Two
dyeing units have been identified at Surat. Ultrasonic dyeing machine specifications have been designed
as per the process requirement of the respective units. Fabrication of the machines is under progress.
The running trials of the machines at the respective units would soon be undertaken.
Both the technologies are available for demonstrations to the textile processing units.
A brochure of the Instrumentation Development Programme (IDP) containing the information about
the programme and salient achievements over the years was released by Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, DST
on 23rd, November, 2010. The same is being circulated to various target groups to disseminate the
information about the programme.
NATIONAL PROGRAMME ON CARBON SEQUESTRATION RESEARCH
The following projects were taken up under the programme:
i) Predicting Soil Carbon changes under different bio-climatic systems in (NBSSLUP, Nagpur),
India
Approved objectives of the proposal
• Define, collate and format data set on soil, climate and land use of already identified BM spots to
quantify carbon sequestration potential in the selected soil

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 • Estimate and predict the C change in the selected BM spot using C models.
• Quantify the impact of defined changes in land use on carbon sequestration in soil with a view to
assisting in the formulation of improved policies to optimize resource use in the selected Bench
Mark (BM) spots.
Important highlight/achievement of the work
The different bio-climatic system were selected viz. Indo-Gangetic Plains and Black Soil region of
the country. A total 5 and 11 BM spots were selected respectively the details can be seen in the following
figures:

Fig. 4.15

5 BM spots selected
1. Mohanpur (West Bengal)
2. Goupur (Pusa, Bihar)
3. Zarifa Viran (Haryana)
4. Holambi (New Delhi)
5. Barah (Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Fig. 4.16

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11 BM spots selected
1. Babhulgaon (Maharashtra)
2. Panjri (Maharashtra)
3. Mulegaon (Maharashtra)
4. Sawargaon (Maharashtra)
5. Kalwan (Maharashtra)
6. Kovilpatti (Tamil Nadu)
7. Nabibagh (Madhya Pradesh)
8. Sarol (Madhya Pradesh)
9. Palathurai (Andhra Pradesh)
10. Kasireddipalli (Andhra Pradesh)
11. Teligi (Karnataka)
The following data sets were collected. The soil data consisting of depth (cm), Bulk density(Mg
m-3), Organic Carbon (%) and Clay (%) and Long Term Fertilizer Experimental Data(LTFE) was also
supplemented in data sets. The output was a comprehensive and useful Compendium entitled “Soils,
Land Use Management and Climatic Dataset of the selected Indo-Gangetic Plains and Black
Soil regions, India for CENTURY and RothC Modelling”
Climatic Data RothC Century
Mean Annual Rainfall (mm) Monthly Rainfall (cm)
Mean Annual Temperature (Soil) Monthly Data for Minimum and Maximum
Temperature (°C)
Potential Evapo-transpiration (mm)

Modeling studies
Two types of models were used to evaluate soil organic carbon changes in various bio-climatic zones
viz. ROTHAMSED C model and CENTURY C model. The performance of these models was evaluated
inputting the required data sets for each model. The observations made were as follows:
A. In Indo Gangetic Plains (IGP), RothC captures the effect of different management interventions on
TOC changes in all the sites represented by different bioclimatic regions.
B. It was the first time that Century C model was used in Black Soil Region having soils with more than
50% cracking clay.
C. The Century model was parameterized using regional crop data from semi-arid sites of India dominated
by black soils (Vertisols).

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 Fig. 4.17: Modelled and estimated soil carbon over time for four management regimes included in the long term
fertilizer trial at Akola, Maharashtra

In addition the quantitative evaluation of both the models mentioned above was also carried out.
Based on the evaluation carbon sequestration potential of various BM spots in IGP and Black Soil regions
was estimated as depicted in the figure below.
The major findings of the work carried out so far are listed below:

The Century and RothC model evaluation showed that these models can work in selected BM spots
of IGP and BSR.

The Century model was more successful when applied to SH climate for example in Mohanpur
than those in drier climate represented by soils with high amount of cracking clay while RothC works
in both humid and semi-arid bioclimatic systems.

The prediction of soil carbon status in sub-humid (Sarol) and humid (Mohanpur) bioclimatic system
was similar when the RothC and Century carbon models were used.

We have made recommendation for the management of cropping pattern and agronomic practices
for selected BM spots keeping in view the modeled soil carbon output.
The partial work carried out under the project was also published in a reputed journal Agriculture,
Ecosystems and Environment, 139 (264-272) published by ELSEVIER. The title of the paper was
Evaluating the Century C model using two long-term fertilizer trials representing humid and
semi-arid sites from India.
ii) Carbon dioxide sequestration potential of agro-forestry systems under irrigated and rain
fed conditions (National Research Center for Agro-forestry (ICAR), Jhansi)
Important highlight/achievement of the work
Biomass (above and belowground), soil carbon, total carbon in plant and soil, carbon sequestered,
CO2 equivalent carbon sequestered in Albizia procera, Dalbergia sissoo (under irrigated conditions),

102 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 10- 2 0 11
Hardwickia binnata and Emblica officinalis(under rainfed conditions) based agro-forestry systems
were estimated for their rotation period (30, 50, 45 and 25-years, respectively) using CO2Fix Model
(Photos of different system are given below). The results indicated that the biomass accumulation varied
from 34.86 to 434.08 t biomass ha-1 in different tree species and variation in biomass are due to their
growth habit, application of agronomic inputs and tree density. Similarly soil carbon also varied from 11.57
to 43.02 t C per ha-1.

Fig. 4.18 : Albizia procera + wheat as intercrop Fig. 4.19 : Dalbergia sissoo intercropped with mustard

Fig. 4.20: Hardwickia binata Fig. 4.21 : Aonla + greengram as intercrop

In Dalbergia sissoo, carbon stock in soil at beginning of the project was 8.87 t C ha-1 and it reached
up to 23.86 t C ha-1 at end of rotation. The increment in carbon accumulation was 0.24 to 13.92 t C ha-1
during different year. The carbon in baseline was 9.94 t C ha-1 and it was reduced during first year when the
tree was planted and cultivation of crop was begun. Similar observation was also observed in case of
Albizia procera. In case of Hardwickia binnata, the soil carbon in baseline was 10.55 and increment in
carbon was negative up to 12-years and after that soil carbon was increased @ 0.52 to 12.75 t C ha-1 in
different years. In case of aonla, increment in carbon was @ 1.82 t C ha-1 in 1996 and it was 5.04 t C ha-
1
at end of rotation period (Figure 1).

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 10- 2 0 11 103
 (a) (b)

(c) (d)
Fig. 4.22 : Carbon stock changes in soil including baseline and project scenario under various agrisilviculture
system (a: Dalbergia sissoo, b: Albizia procrea c: Hardwickia binnata and d: Emblica officinalis)

The Jhansi district was chosen to estimate carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry practices.
The total carbon stock in above, belowground biomass, soil carbon, non-woody litter was 6.2, 4.95, 9.44
and 0.65 t C ha-1 , respectively during 2009 and the carbon stocks in these pools would be 12.03, 7.5,
16.21 and 2.34 t C ha-1 , respectively after 21-years. The carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry
practices in Jhansi districts was 20.6 t C ha-1 in 2009 and it would increase up to 35.74 t C ha-1 after 21-
years.
Thermal Dissipation Sap Velocity Probe was installed in aonla (Emblica officinalis) and anjan
(Hardwickia binata) on 24th June 2010. Water flow in Emblica officinalis during July, August and
September, 2010 was 41.49, 30.22 and 13.46 litres per day, respectively. Similarly for the Hardwickia
binata water flow during the month of July, August and September, 2010 was 67.86,63.77 and 37.41
litres per day, respectively. The patterns of sap flow in aonla and Hardwickia for 15 days (1-15 July, 2010)
are given in Figures 2.

Fig. 4.23
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 Fig. 4.24 : The patterns of sap flow in aonla and Hardwickia for 1-15 July, 2010

In addition THREE research publications were also brought out

iii) Experimental & Simulation Studies of CO2 Sequestration using solar/chemical methods in
Center for Environmental Science and Technology, National Institute of Technology,
Tiruchirapalli – 620 015
Approved objectives of the proposal
Evaluate key design criteria and the technical feasibility of bio-fixation using micro algae and to
develop preliminary economic data.
Important highlight/achievement of the work
Bio sequestration lab established
Lab consisting of culture room, inoculation room, instrumentation room, culture preparation and
chemical analysis facility was established. Sophisticated instruments required for finding out photosynthetic
efficiency were purchased and installed.

Fig. 4.25 : Germ Plasm Room Fig. 4.26 : Inoculation Room

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 10- 2 0 11 105
 Effect of various parameters on algae growth
Research work was undertaken to study the effect of parameters such as Light, CO2, Mixing, pH,
Temperature, Nutrients, Algae concentration.
Experiments under sunlight
Chlorella vulgaris is tested under Sun light, Room light, 2 tube light, 4 tube light using (NaNO3 +
KH2PO4) as nutrients. Under (actual) sunlight – discoloration was observed, still absorbance was found
increasing. This is due to high light intensity. Experiments are repeated in diffused sunlight. Higher absorbance
found and maximum reached on 3rd day. Cell colonizes and precipitation occurred. When experiments
were conducted with BBM medium under sunlight, growth rate was maximum at 7th day and the species
was found in suspension. More experimental runs are to be repeated to get the growth data with sunlight.
Assessment of CO2 mass transfer: Effect of wind velocity on microalgae growth:
The wind speed causes loss of carbon dioxide from water solution during bio sequestration of carbon
dioxide. The effect of wind velocity on the percentage loss of carbon dioxide from water was studied at
wind speeds varying from 2.7 m/s to 10.5 m/s. The gas transfer velocity was evaluated at each wind
speed. Empirical relation was determined between the wind speed (u) in m/s, gas transfer velocity (k) in m/
s and Schmidt number (Sc). The correlation developed was:

The developed correlation was verified satisfactorily for percentage loss of carbon dioxide in
open air.
Mass transfer simulation was undertaken using Parallel Plate absorption column. Mass transfer
experimental studies were undertaken to estimate losses of CO2 to atmosphere. The following were
design specifications for Adsorption Column: Packing Height – 91.5 cm, Width – 7.5 cm, Thickness – 3
mm, Number of Plates – 15, Gas holdup volume – 672 cm3, Liquid holdup volume – 631 cm3, Nozzle
diameter – 10 mm. The typical Adsorption Column is depicted below:

Fig. 4.27

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Design Criteria for Photo Bio-reactor
The design criteria for Photo Bio-reactor was evolved keeping in view the following facts/parameters
such as : Uniform concentration of CO2, nutrient, light, High Concentration difference – (mass transfer),
Required light intensity to cells – (Photosynthesis), Frequency of light dark cycle, System without mixing,
Maintaining always optimum seed concentration and Overall process performance depending on Mixing
time, Mass transfer time, , CO2 fixation time, light energy supply time. A Thin Film Photo Bio-reactor was
designed and fabricated with following specifications/characteristics:

Stainless steel tray (dimension 30 x 23 x 2 cm)

Surface area to volume ratio : 478 m-1

Absorption of CO2 was studied by spreading 145 ml culture medium on the tray to 2 mm thickness.

Covered airtight with polythene sheet to maintain the desired carbon dioxide air atmosphere inside
the tray

The polythene cover was fixed and a 14% CO2-air mixture was admitted continuously through the
inlet.

CO2 concentration in water was analyzed for every 5 seconds.

Equilibrium concentration :1260 ppm (1650 ppm for pure water)

Temperature : 32 °C
A typical experimental set up is depicted below:

Fig. 4.28 : Thin film reactor – Six trays

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 A new design for Solar Bio-reactor is under development. This bio-reactor will have following
features : Surface area to volume ratio – 1000, Illuminated surface area per unit area : much higher than 1,
Incorporated light to dark cycle ratio
The following new observations were made:

Chlorella sp has been tested under sunlight condition and observed that species becomes colorless
which may be due to very high sunlight intensity available than what is required by the species

The growth study of the species under fluorescent lamps of 80 W and 160 W revealed that there is
not much enhancement in growth compared with room light conditions.

Scenedesmus sp is found to sustain the sunlight conditions better than chlorella

K2CO3 medium gives higher growth rate than conventional BBM medium
The other significant achievements under the project were as follows:
List of publications
Book Chapter

CO2 Sequestration & Biofuel Production using microalgal technology, Sequestration Technology for
Clean Energy, Daya publishing house, 2010, pp 85-94.
Papers under revision

Theoretical productivity, Technical & Economic feasibility of Microalgae for CO2 Sequestration in
Indian context

Simulation studies on parallel plates mass transfer column for CO2 in water

Studies on Effect of wind speed on loss of carbon dioxide during bio sequestration Thin layer Photo-
bioreactor
Patents filed/to be filed

New type of photo-bioreactor will be applied for patent after testing
No. of Ph.D produced: Two (registered)
Technical personnel trained: Three
iv) Improving carbon and nitrogen sequestration: a transgenic approach to lower green house
gas
Approved objectives of the proposal
1. Construction of appropriate constructs over-expressing PEPCase, AspAT and GS
2. Transforming prevailing model system Arabidopsis thaliana and Lotus corniculatus with the above
constructs.
3. Analysis of transgenic plants for adaptation and field testing.

108 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 10- 2 0 11
IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHT/ACHIEVEMENT OF THE WORK
The proposal targeted to develop an alternative metabolic roite to CO2 sequestration in Arabidopsis.
It was proposed to over express phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) in addition to ribulose
1,5-bi-phosphate (RuBP) carboxylase-oxyenase (Rubsico) to sequester CO2. It is also proposed to over
express, aspartate amino transferase (AAT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) to utilize the carbon for fixation
of nitrogen, being evolved during metabolism, into amino acid and protein. It was reported that a construct
carrying all the three genes under independent promoter and terminator in a transformation vector pCAMBIA
1302 and generated T3 generation of Arabidopsis co-over-expressing all the three genes. During the
period the plants were analyzed. One of the lines shows increase in bio-mass and altered partitioning
behavior, which was of great value.
Project Title: Carbon dioxide sequestration through culture of medically useful microalgae in photo-
bioreactors linked to gas outlets of industries. (Andhra University Visakhapatnam 530 003)
Approved objectives of the proposal
The main aim of the investigation is to identify microalgal strains of medically (nutraceutically) important
species suitable for mass cultivation and demonstrate the proof of concept that they can sequester CO2
emitted from industrial set ups in substantial amounts.
The following research publications were brought out on the basis of work done under the project.
Number of papers published: 1 published, 2 revised manuscripts submitted.
1. “Utility of a reflector for energy saving in plant tissue and algal culture laboratories” published in
Current science vol. 99, No.5, 10 Sep 2010, 569 – 70.
2. Oleic acid rich biofuel from Neochloris oleoabundans grown mixotrophically on glycerol – a by
product during biodiesel transesterification. Revised manuscript submitted in August 2010 to Journal
of Applied Phycology.
3. Impact of salinity on growth of two carotenogenic strains of Dunaliella isolated from evaporation
salt pans fed by waters of western Bay of Bengal, a tropical environment. Revised manuscript
submitted in September 2010 to Botanica Marina.
v) Mechanism and the Dynamics of Carbon storage in the Sundarbans Mangrove Ecosystem (University
of Calcutta, Kolkata)
Approved objectives of the proposal
1. To quantify spatial and temporal variation of carbon storage in different compartment such as
atmosphere, soil, water, forest in the Sundarban Mangrove Ecosystem and their respective turn over
time.
2. To study comparative efficiency of the biological pump for storing CO2 as organic carbon and biogenous
CaCO3 in soil, water and forest in relation to their ambient condition.
3. To assess the effect of new nutrients on the carbon storage in the sediment in the form of geopolymers
like humates and kerogen through diagenesis.

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 4. To apply reservoir models with nonlinear reservoir/flux relations and cycles.
Important highlight/achievement of the work

The net accumulation of the carbon in the AGB, BGB and in soil was estimated to be 26.62 Tg which
is 0.40% of the total carbon stored in India’s forests (6621.55 Tg).

Regression models developed in this study involving breast height diameter, height and density can
be used to estimate the living above-ground and below-ground biomass of mangroves.

Application of the model allows estimating the spatial variation of above-ground biomass and
subsequent consideration of several aspects that affect above-ground biomass, particularly, the influence
of resource availability and constraining.

The net biosphere-atmosphere exchange of CO2 (2.79 Tg C yr-1) was found close to the value
obtained by dbh increment (2.0Tg C yr-1).

Litter fall plays a pivotal role in mangrove ecosystem carbon dynamics and leads to a significant shift
in the observed net carbon balance. The data show small net uptake (production –litter fall) of ~1.69
Mg C ha-1 a-1 leading to the conclusion that rate of accumulation carbon in Tropical mangrove forest
is greater than the global mean of 0.49 Mg C ha-1 a-1 in tropical forests.

Carbon storage in the Sundarban mangrove forest is estimated to be 0.40% of the total carbon
storage in the Indian forest.

Sundarban mangrove acted as a sink for atmospheric CO2 and it sequesters 0.55% of the total
carbon emission per year as fossil fuel from India ( 504.6TgC a-1 ).

Turnover time of carbon is limited to 8 - 9 years in the mangrove forest reservoir and 2 – 3 years in
the soil.

Humification of organic carbon for long term sequestration in the sediment is a slow process.
Program Advisory and Monitoring Committee (PAMC) of NPCSR
7th and 8th meeting of PAMC of NPCSR were organized on July 8-9th, 2010 and November 11-
12th, 2010. 24 new proposals were considered out of which 14 were recommended for support in different
research areas of Carbon sequestration in different universities and different research institutes such as
ZIMI, Parwanoo & CSK University, Palampur, IICT, Hyderabad, North Eastern Institute of Science and
Technology, Jorhat, Directorate of Groundnut Research, ICAR, Junagadh, Global Hydro-geological
Solutions, New Delhi, NGRI, Hyderabad, Madaras Veterinary College, Chennai, University of Hyderabad,
Hyderabad, Madurai University, Madurai, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT, Delhi, Bharathidasan
University, Tiruchirappalli, CSSRI, Karnal, University of Kolkata, Kolkata, Annamali University, Annamali
Nagar, Tamil Nadu.
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
The Government of India constituted the Technology Development Board (TDB) in September 1996,
under the provisions of the Technology Development Board Act, 1995. The mandate of the TDB is to

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