Dr. Anand B. Halgeri is currently working as Director of Poornaprajna Institute of Scientific Research and coordinating the entire research activity in Catalysis/ Materials science & Biological sciences. His area of interest includes Nano catalysis, Heterogeneous catalysis, mesoporous materials, novel Zeolites, Solid Acid/ BaseCatalysts, Industrial Refinery/petrochemical processes, adsorption, Eco-friendly processes, and Biodiesel/Biofuel, alternate energy feed stocks etc. He has taken several industrial research projects both from India and abroad in the area of Zeolite Catalysis and Materials Science.
CURRENT ACHIEVEMENTS:
Prof. Halgeri is actively involved in the industrial projects and, is responsible for getting sponsorships from the companies M/s GTC Technologies, USA, HPCL R & D, and Shell Technology India Pvt Ltd. The process technology for development of catalyst &process for the production of paraxylene which is raw material for polyester industry has been developed in association with GTC and is likely to be commercialized in PetroChina.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT AT PPISR
During his tenure as the Director, 15 research scholars have obtained their PhD degrees at PPISR
Successfully completed several industry sponsored project under his leadership.
Under his leadership as Chairman, prestigious 23nd National Symposium on Catalysis (CATSYMP-23) was successfully conducted, during January 17-19, 2018 at Bengaluru.
PREVIOUS R & D ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN INDUSTRY
Dr Halgeri, joined in a newly established Research Centre of the Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd (IPCL), Baroda – Gujarat in 1976. As an Vice President and Head of R&D Division of the Public Sector Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. Baroda, Gujarat, Dr. Halgeri provided sustained leadership to the large number of scientists engaged in research and Development activities. Later, Dr. Halgeri joined the Research and Development Centre of Reliance Industries Ltd, where he led a team of 150 Scientists and Engineers and coordinated the entire research and development activities on catalysts required for the Petrochemical units and Refineries. He also provided the research support for the Polymer Science and Technology, and Materials Science groups of all the units of Reliance Industries at different locations.
Before joining PPISR, Dr. Halgeri has worked extensively and achieved several milestones in the development and commercialization of catalysts for the petrochemical industry. Dr. Halgeri’s contribution in the area of catalysts has helped putting India in the world map of petrochemicals. In recognition of his outstanding contribution, Dr Halgeri has received several National awards and Honors for his achievements in Chemical Technology.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Masters Degree in Chemistry from Karnataka University, Dharwad
2. PhD fin Physical Chemistry (Heterogeneous Catalysis) from Bangalore University
3. Post-Doctoral researcher under UNESCO fellowship on Zeolite Catalysis at Department of Tokyo institute of Technology
PUBLICATIONS AND PATENTS
He has published 150 research papers in national and international peer reviewed journals and has also obtained 38 Indian and International patents.
Industrial projects successfully completed under dynamic leadership are as follows:
- Design and development of a catalyst and process for selective methylation of benzene/ toluene to produce p-xylene (Sponsored by: GTC Technology, USA)
- Post-synthesis pore engineering and surface treatment of zeolites and some oxide materials
(Sponsored by: Shell Technology Centre, Bangalore)
- Development of Zeolite Modified Catalysts for the Hydrocarbon Conversions such as light naphtha aromatization and side chain alkylation of toluene.(Sponsored by: HPCL R&D Centre, Bangalore)
- “Development of a Novel Mesoporous Polymer Based Soild Acid Catalyst for Low Temperature Catalytic Applications” sponsored by HPCL (R&D)
- “Development of Novel Catalyst for light napthavolarisation” sponsored by HPCL (R&D)
- “Natural gas conversion to value-added chemicals” sponsored by to M/S. GTC Technology US LLC
- Catalyst evaluation studies for methanol reforming for fuel Cell applications (Sponsored by Thermax Industries Pune
ONGOING INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS:
- “Development Of Catalyst And Process For Specific Co2Transformation” sponsored by: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL)
- ” Structure Based Rational Design Of Pd1 Mutants To Create Lead Molecules For Cancer Immunotherapy” sponsored by: Bristol Myers Squibb, USA
- “Design And Development Of A Catalyst And Process For Selective Methylation Of Toluene To Produce Para-Xylene” sponsored by GTC Technology, USA
- “Catalyst & Process Development For Aromatics Alkylation To Make Higher Aromatics” sponsored by Deepak Novochem Technologies Ltd., Pune
- “Design & Development Of A Catalyst & Process For Regioselective Nitration Of Aromatics” sponsored by Deepak Nitrite Ltd, Vadodara
ONGOING GOVERNMENT AGENCY SPONSORED PROJECTS:
- Several projects sponsored by government agencies like DBT, DST, BRNS, DRDO, VGST are being carried out at PPISR.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
In recognition of his outstanding contribution in the area of heterogeneous catalysis for over three decades, he has received several National awards and Honors for his achievements in Chemical Technology.
- I.C.I. India Ltd Award of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers has been conferred to him for Excellence in process/Product development for para-diethyl benzene
- Hari Om Ashram Prerit- Prof. S. S. Bhatnagar Endowment Research Award for Excellence in Applied Catalysis
- Lifetime Achievement Award “Eminent Scientist in Catalysis” by the Catalysis Society of India, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
- Elected as “Fellow of Institute of Chemical Engineer” by Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, Kolkatta
- VividhalaxshiAudyogikSamshodhan Vikas Kendra, Mumbai, VASVIK Industrial National Award in Chemical Sciences and Technology - 2005
- Prof. K.G. Naik Memorial Gold Award of M.S. University, Baroda – 2007 for outstanding achievements in Chemical Sciences
- Awarded as “Pride citizen of Baroda” for his significant contribution for Science & Technology from Community Science Centre/Rotary Club of Baroda-2008
- Life time achievement award by CSI-Bengaluru Chapter for his contribution towards Catalysis research in India during CATSYMP-23 in January 2018.
- Life time achievement award by Material Society India for his contribution in Materials Research during International Conference on Advances in Materials Research (ICAMR-2019) in July 2019.
He has extensively travelled and presented several lectures/papers in International and National conferences. Currently, he has been advisor for many Industrial R&D and also member of Board of studies in Chemical Engineering Departments in many Engineering Colleges.
PhDs GUIDED:
Three doctorates under guidance are:
- Swetha Sandesh (Guide)
- Vijayakumar Marakatti (Co-Guide)
- Janardhan H L (Co-Guide)
