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Prof. Sriram Devanathan

Principal, School of Engineering, Bengaluru | Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, School Of Engineering, Coimbatore | Chairman, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Bengaluru

Qualification: B. Tech., MS, Ph.D
sriram@amrita.edu
Google Scholar Profile
Scopus Author ID
Research Interest: Data Reconciliation & Gross Error Detection, Groundwater Transport, Low-cost Materials, Plastics Reclamation and Conversion, Process Intensification, Waste-to-Energy Technologies

Bio Publications
Bio

Prof. Sriram Devanathan currently serves as Principal, School of Engineering, Bengaluru & Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Coimbatore and Chairman, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Bengaluru. He came to Amrita with ten years of industrial experience at the 3M Company in Minnesota, Texas and California (USA) and seven years experience in academic research as a graduate student at Iowa State University, USA, where he also received his Ph. D. He has a Certificate of Six Sigma Black Belt Training from 3M, and has successfully led quality improvement/cost reduction projects in various 3M Company manufacturing plants in the US, Canada, Singapore and Japan. His areas of interest include Low-cost Materials, Waste-to-Energy Technologies, Process Intensification,Six Sigma, Fault Diagnosis, Empirical Modeling, Data Mining, Statistical Process Control, Design of Experiments, and Process Modeling & Simulation.

He has trained over 800 engineers, managers and operators in statistical methodology and software and Six Sigma. Dr. Sriram has significant expertise in CGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) and Internal Auditing.

Affiliations

Qualifications

YEAR DEGREE/PROGRAM INSTITUTION
1997 Ph. D., Chemical Engineering & Statistics Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
1993 M. S., Chemical Engineering Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
1990 B. Tech. (Chemical Engineering) Osmania University, Hyderabad, India

Certificates, Awards, Honors, and Societies

  • Six Sigma Black Belt Training, 3M, USA
  • ISO 9001 – Internal Auditor Training, USA
  • Advanced Statistical Process Control, SPC Inc., Tennessee, USA
  • Industrial Design of Experiments, SPC Inc., Tennessee, USA
  • 3M Pollution Prevention Pays Award, 3M, USA

Research

RESEARCH THEMES

  • Chemical Engineering Process Optimization
  • Chemical Engineering Transport
  • Low-cost green materials & technologies

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Data Reconciliation & Gross Error Detection

A chemical engineering plant contains a complex network of flow channels and storage units. For reasons of cost control, optimal operation, regulations, and safety, it is important and necessary to ensure material and energy accountability. The occurrence of measurement errors (fixed and random), as well as physical leaks, can hinder the accountability. Thus, our team is focused on finding ways to ensure accountability, with reasonable accuracy, in the presence of the obscuring factors. Techniques involving a combination of fundamental concepts of chemical engineering combined with statistical methods, are used to achieve the objectives, for various common scenarios: steady state processes, transient (dynamic) processes, and processes in which measurements of process parameters manifest serial correlation (due to the establishment of an engineering process control system, or due to other reasons). Other efforts include application of multivariate statistical methods to model predictive relationships useful in a chemical engineering context (one specific application is to detect the occurrence of adulteration of diesel).

Plastics Reclamation and Conversion

The rapidly growing consumption rate, combined with lack of adequate techniques & practices for recycling, indicates a vast opportunity for technology intervention aimed at plastics reclamation and conversion to virgin monomers or virgin polymers. Our group works on low cost technology alternatives for this purpose – specifically selective dissolution & reprecipitation and pyrolytic gasification. We also study intensified methods for separation and dissolution, such as with ultrasonics.

Groundwater Transport

Studies aimed at mathematical representation of transport phenomena assume importance in numerous applications. We are currently focused on hydrogeological transport, especially in the context of specific types of groundwater formations – seen in conjunction with soil properties, vegetation, and climatic conditions.

KEYWORDS

  • Data reconciliation
  • Measurement biases
  • Process intensification
  • Pyrolytic gasification
  • Plastics recycling
  • Transport phenomena
  • Statistical process modeling

ONGOING UNDERGRADUATE PROJECTS

Sl.No Name of the Student Topic
1 Aishwarya Babu, Harikrishnan P., Rubala T., Shivahari G. Beneficial recycling of non-condensable gases from plastic waste pyrolysis

ONGOING SPONSORED PROJECTS

Years Funding Agency Title of the Project Investigators Status
January 2017- January 2020 DST FIST Grant Dr. Sriram Devanathan (PI) – and faculty of Dept. of Chem. Engg. & Mat. Sci., Amrita Sanctioned / Ongoing
May 2013 – May 2017 MHRD Center of Excellence in Advanced Materials & Green Technologies Dr. Sriram Devanathan (Head), (Late) Dr. S. S. Bhagawan, Dr. Murali R., Dr. Nikhil K., Dr. Kumaresan R., Dr. Udayabhaskar Reddy Ragula, Dr. Meera B. S. Ongoing
Oct 2014 – Oct 2017 DST Development of automated machine for low cost production of sanitary napkins with ability to use different types of absorbent material including textile waste Praveen Bist (PI), Sriram Devanathan (co-PI), Anju Bist (co-PI) Ongoing
Mar 2016 – Mar 2019 DST (CERI) Development of a 10 kW Cogeneration Unit using Microchannel Heat Exchangers for Efficient Utilization of Solar Energy Dr. Udaya Bhaskar Reddy Ragula (PI), Dr. Madhav Datta and Dr. Sriram Devanathan Ongoing
Jul 2013 -Jul 2017 MHRD/ IIT Kharagpur National Pedagogy Project: Principal Developer for the Course Chemical Technology Dr. Sriram Devanathan (PI), Dr. R. Krishnaprasad Completed

 

Keynote Addresses, Invited Talks, and Panel Memberships

  • Six Sigma Training – Phase I, 3 day workshop for scientists and engineers of VSSC, Trivandrum, 26 – 28 Aug, 2019.
  • Presidential Address on “International Standards and the Fourth Industrial Revolution”, as Chief Guest for “World Standards Day Celebration” conducted by Bureau of Indian Standards, Coimbatore, 13th Oct 2018.
  • Six Sigma Training – Phase II, 3 day workshop for scientists and engineers of VSSC, Trivandrum, 10-12 Sep, 2018.
  • Six Sigma Training – Phase I, 3 day workshop for scientists and engineers of VSSC, Trivandrum, Jul 30 – Aug 2, 2018.
  • NAAC Sponsored One-day National Seminar on “Discerning Benchmarking Criteria and Quality Parameters in Higher Education: Global and Indian Dimensions”, Invited talk, 20th January 2017, PSGCAS, Coimbatore.
  • “Innovations in curriculum for holistic development”, Lead Presentation at the 2-day National Seminar on “Design of Curriculum for Sustainable and Societal Development”, 12-13 August 2016, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
  • “Novel Technologies for Sustainable Development”, Keynote lecture, at the One Day National Seminar, 20-02-2016, Mohandas College of Engineering College and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala.
  • Member of Panel Discussion on “Innovation Pedagogy: Adaptive Inter-Disciplinary Curriculum” at T4E (International Conference on Technology for Education) by IEEE, at Amritapuri campus, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, on 21st December, 2014.
  • Keynote address at INCCOM 2014 at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram, 14-15 November, 2014
  • Member of Panel Discussion on “Chemical Engineering – Traditional and Beyond” at ICACE TKM’14, at TKM College of Engineering, 16-18 October, 2014.
  •  “Is Sustainable Development an Oxymoron?”, International Conference on Renewable Energy Resources for 21st Century, March 9-10, 2012, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore.
  • “Challenges and Solutions in the Implementation of Learning Management Systems in India”, International Conference on Technology Enhanced Education, January 4, 2012, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, Kollam.
  • Two-day workshop conducted on “Quality Control for Composites” – Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, Trivandrum, October 25 – 26, 2010.
  • Plenary talk, “Six Sigma – concepts and applications for chemical engineering” at the International Conference on “Recent Advances in Chemical Engineering and Technology (RACET-2011)”, on March 10, 2011, Kochi, India.
  • Research Methodology – Keynote Address (Chief Guest) at “FRACTALS 10”, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Sona College of Technology, 7th October 2010.
  • Quality Control for Composites – Invited Talk delivered at ISAMPE National Conference on Composites (INCCOM8), 5th December 2008, Trivandrum.
  • Advances in Mechanical Sciences – Kumaraguru College of Technology, Keynote Address, 23rd March 2007.
  • National Seminar on “Biopolymers: Source, Structure & Applications in Biotechnology,” Bannari Amman  Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, Tamil Nadu, Keynote Address, 19th July 2007.
  • Co-authored a Paper at MACRO 2006 – 9th Conference of Polymers for Advanced Technologies – NCL Pune, 18th December 2006.
  • Featured Speaker at AIChE Fall Conference 1997 (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
  • Presented a Poster AIChE Fall Conference 1993 (St. Louis, Missouri, USA)

Courses

  • Heat Transfer in Chemical Engineering
  • Chemical Technology
  • Organic Chemical Technology
  • Transport Phenomena
  • Mechanical Operations
  • Process Intensification
  • Numerical Methods in Chemical Engineering
  • Statistical Design of Experiments
  • Statistical Methods for Researchers
  • Probability and Statistical Inference

Summary

Dr. Sriram Devanathan’s technical interests revolve around applying statistical way of thinking to solving problems in chemical engineering and other areas, with sustainable technologies and approaches. The focus is three-fold: process modeling & optimization, materials development for low-cost socially impactful applications, and reclamation of waste materials.

Publications

Journal Article

Year : 2021

Comparative analysis of select techniques and metrics for data reconciliation in smart energy distribution network

Cite this Research Publication : Jeyanthi Ramasamy, Sriram Devanathan, Dhanalakshmi Jayaraman; Comparative analysis of select techniques and metrics for data reconciliation in smart energy distribution network. Water Supply 1 August 2021; 21 (5): 2109–2121

Publisher : Water Supply

Year : 2020

Addressing Higher Order Serial Correlation in Techniques for Gross Error Detection

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Sriram Devanathan and Jeyanthi R., “Addressing Higher Order Serial Correlation in Techniques for Gross Error Detection”, Special Issue on Intelligent Computing : Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience, 2018.

Publisher : Special Issue on Intelligent Computing : Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience .

Year : 2018

Association of Family Challenges with Self-esteem and Perceived Social Support among Indian Adolescents

Cite this Research Publication : P. Valsala, Dr. Sriram Devanathan, and Kuttappan, S. M., “Association of Family Challenges with Self-esteem and Perceived Social Support among Indian Adolescents”, Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, vol. 35, pp. 625–637, 2018.

Publisher : Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal

Year : 2017

Mathematical modelling of raw material preheating by energy recycling method in metal casting process

Cite this Research Publication : J. Selvaraj, Prakash Marimuthu K., Dr. Sriram Devanathan, and Dr. K. I. Ramachandran, “Mathematical modelling of raw material preheating by energy recycling method in metal casting process”, Pollution Research, vol. 36, pp. 217-228, 2017.

Publisher : Pollution Research, EM International

Year : 2016

A design of experiments investigation of the effects of synthesis conditions on the quality of CVD graphene

Cite this Research Publication : R. Shanmugam, Rangarajan, M., Devanathan, S., Sathe, V. G., Senthilkumar, R., and Kothurkar, N. K., “A design of experiments investigation of the effects of synthesis conditions on the quality of CVD graphene”, Materials Research Express, vol. 3, p. 125601, 2016.

Publisher : Materials Research Express, IOP Publishing, Volume 3, Number 12, p.125601

Year : 2014

Synthesis of micrometer-sized hierarchical rutile TiO2 flowers and their application in dye sensitized solar cells

Cite this Research Publication : M. Raj Subramaniam, Dr. Sriram Devanathan, and Dr. Duraisamy Kumaresan, “Synthesis of micrometer-sized hierarchical rutile TiO2 flowers and their application in dye sensitized solar cells”, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Advances, vol. 4, pp. 36791–36799, 2014.

Publisher : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Advances

Year : 2014

A Study on the Effect of Processing Parameters on the Quality of Parts made by Low Cost 3D Printer (submitted for publication)

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Sriram Devanathan, Elangovan, M., and Aditya, T. N., “A Study on the Effect of Processing Parameters on the Quality of Parts made by Low Cost 3D Printer (submitted for publication)”, International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology, 2014.

Publisher : International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

Year : 2014

Raw Material Preheating by a Novel Energy Recycling Method in Metal Casting, with the Application of Design of Experiments and Regression Analysis (Accepted)

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Sriram Devanathan, J., S., K., P. Marimuthu, and Ramachandran K. I., “Raw Material Preheating by a Novel Energy Recycling Method in Metal Casting, with the Application of Design of Experiments and Regression Analysis (Accepted)”, Journal of Cleaner Production, 2014.

Publisher : Journal of Cleaner Production

Year : 2013

Optimization of the conductivity and yield of chemically synthesized polyaniline using a design of experiments

Cite this Research Publication : E. J. Jelmy, Ramakrishnan, S., Dr. Sriram Devanathan, Dr. Murali Rangarajan, and Dr. Nikhil K. Kothurkar, “Optimization of the conductivity and yield of chemically synthesized polyaniline using a design of experiments”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, vol. 130, pp. 1047-1057, 2013.

Publisher : Journal of Applied Polymer Science

Year : 2012

Is Sustainable Development an Oxymoron?

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Sriram Devanathan, “Is Sustainable Development an Oxymoron?”, International Conference on Renewable Energy Resources for 21st Century, 2012.

Publisher : International Conference on Renewable Energy Resources for 21st Century

Year : 2012

Optimizing properties of nanoclay-nitrile rubber (NBR) composites using Face Centred Central Composite Design

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Meera Balachandran, Dr. Sriram Devanathan, Muraleekrishnan, Rb, and Bhagawan, S. Sa, “Optimizing properties of nanoclay-nitrile rubber (NBR) composites using Face Centred Central Composite Design”, Materials and Design, vol. 35, pp. 854-862, 2012.

Publisher : Materials and Design

Year : 2005

Likelihood and Bayesian Methods for Accurate Identification of Measurement Biases in Pseudo Steady-State Processes

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Sriram Devanathan, Vardeman, S. B., and Rollins, D. K., “Likelihood and Bayesian Methods for Accurate Identification of Measurement Biases in Pseudo Steady-State Processes”, Chemical Engineering Research and Design, vol. 83, pp. 1391–1398, 2005.

Publisher : Elsevier

Year : 2002

Measurement bias detection in linear dynamic systems

Cite this Research Publication : D. K. Rollins, Dr. Sriram Devanathan, and Bascuñana, M. Victoria B., “Measurement bias detection in linear dynamic systems”, Computers & chemical engineering, vol. 26, pp. 1201–1211, 2002.

Publisher : Elsevier

Year : 2000

A new approach for improved identification of measurement bias

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Sriram Devanathan, Rollins, D. K., and Vardeman, S. B., “A new approach for improved identification of measurement bias”, Computers & Chemical Engineering, vol. 24, pp. 2755–2764, 2000.

Publisher : Elsevier

Year : 1996

Intelligent selection of hypothesis tests to enhance gross error identification

Cite this Research Publication : D. K. Rollins, Cheng, Y., and Dr. Sriram Devanathan, “Intelligent selection of hypothesis tests to enhance gross error identification”, Computers & chemical engineering, vol. 20, pp. 517–530, 1996.

Publisher : Computers & chemical engineering,

Year : 1993

Unbiased estimation in dynamic data reconciliation

Cite this Research Publication : D. K. Rollins and Dr. Sriram Devanathan, “Unbiased estimation in dynamic data reconciliation”, AIChE journal, vol. 39, pp. 1330–1334, 1993.

Publisher : Wiley Online Library

Conference Paper

Year : 2019

Efficiency Improvement in Solar Co generation using Micro channel Heat Exchangers

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Udaya Bhaskar Reddy Ragula and Dr. Sriram Devanathan, “Efficiency Improvement in Solar Co generation using Micro channel Heat Exchangers”, in 2nd Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry Conference, Budapest, Hungary, 2019.

Publisher : 2nd Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry Conference

Year : 2018

Degradation kinetic study of Poly lactic acid (PLA) based biodegredable green composites

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Sriram Devanathan, Bhiogade, A., and Kannan, M., “Degradation kinetic study of Poly lactic acid (PLA) based biodegredable green composites”, in “Materials Today: Proceedings” (presented at IConAMMA 2018, Bengaluru, 2018.

Publisher : “Materials Today: Proceedings” (presented at IConAMMA 2018, Bengaluru.

Year : 2016

Solar based lemon grass essential oil distillation for sustainability and livelihood in tribal community

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Udaya Bhaskar Reddy Ragula, Dr. Sriram Devanathan, and Mohan, R., “Solar based lemon grass essential oil distillation for sustainability and livelihood in tribal community”, in GHTC 2016 - IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference: Technology for the Benefit of Humanity, Conference Proceedings, 2016, pp. 738-744.

Publisher : IEEEXplore

Year : 2015

Ensuring training-transfer and personal performance after TVET: A strategy within the rural, Indian context for post-training engagement of TVET students for long-term success.

Cite this Research Publication : C. Coley, Sheshadri, S., Karanayil, L., Bonin, S., Dr. Sriram Devanathan, and Rao R. Bhavani, “Ensuring training-transfer and personal performance after TVET: A strategy within the rural, Indian context for post-training engagement of TVET students for long-term success.”, in International Conference on Emerging Trends In TVET : Vision 2025, 2015.

Publisher : International Conference on Emerging Trends In TVET .

Year : 1993

Computational issues in gross error detection and data reconciliation

Cite this Research Publication : D. K. Rollins and Dr. Sriram Devanathan, “Computational issues in gross error detection and data reconciliation”, in International Conference on Foundations of Computer-Aided Process Operations FOCAPO, Crested Butte, Colorado, 1993.

Publisher : International Conference on Foundations of Computer-Aided Process Operations FOCAPO, Crested Butte, Colorado

Conference Proceedings

Year : 2018

Tuning parameters for flame-retardant coatings on wood and polymer

Cite this Research Publication : S. M, Devanathan, S., and M, K., “Tuning parameters for flame-retardant coatings on wood and polymer”, IConAMMA 2018, Materials Today: Proceedings. Bengaluru, 2018.

Publisher : IConAMMA 2018, Materials Today: Proceedings, Bengaluru .

Year : 2014

An Approach for the Assessment of India as a Global Oil Gas R&D Destination

Publisher : International Conference on Advances in Chemical Engineering and Technology

Year : 2014

An Approach for the Assessment of India as a Global Oil & Gas R&D Destination

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Sriram Devanathan, Gupta, P. T. R., and V., S., “An Approach for the Assessment of India as a Global Oil & Gas R&D Destination”, International Conference on Advances in Chemical Engineering and Technology . Elsevier Publication, TKM College of Engineering, p. 392, 2014.

Publisher : International Conference on Advances in Chemical Engineering and Technology , Elsevier Publication

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