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Apart from the areas mentioned in the themes earlier, any ideas (but not limited to) are also invited in the following topics:

a) Waste Water Treatment and Waste Water Recycling Technologies

Water treatment and recycle technologies are going to play major role for better livelihood. Ideas are invited on i) Cost effective ways for membrane development for waste water treatment processes, ii) RO membranes for water treatment, iii) RO reject water regeneration technologies

b) Photocatalytic hydrogen production using waste water

Upcycling of wastewater via effective solar-assisted photocatalytic hydrogen production is vital for future green energy technology because this technique would become readily available as an ecofriendly and inexpensive method for treating industrial wastewater as well as developing alternative energy sources. Among various attractive methods for water splitting photocatalysis is one of the emerging techniques for the development of energy conversion technology . For photocatalytic hydrogen production, developing a novel semiconductive material is essential to enhance the charge separation because the large number of photo-generated charge carriers may promote the photocatalysis reaction. In general, semiconductor materials exhibit the increased potential energy from the photocatalytic reaction because of their flexible constitution and diversity of properties. Even though a variety of inorganic semiconductors showed a potential hydrogen production ability through photocatalytic reactions, there has been a serious drawback in water-splitting due to its absorption of visible light and bandgap variations . Ideas are invited on the development of materials with enhanced efficiency.

c) Process Intensification in Refining industry

Process Intensification (PI) makes dramatic reductions in the size of unit operations where by its reduces capital costs and allows for integration of equipment/processes to achieve high capacity, reduced footprint (area), increased selectivity and enhanced heat and mass transfer rates. Ideas are invited from the participants in the area of process intensification with respect to oscillatory baffled reactors, spinning disc reactors, Rotating packed beds, Compact heat exchangers, Micro reactors & Catalytic plate reactors

In refineries, distillation is used in many processes such as Crude oil distillation, Propane –propylene separation, Cracked distillate separation, BTX separation, hydrotreater diesel separation, etc and being energy intensive process it consumes nearly 40-60% of energy in the refining industry. Hence, novel ideas are sought for reducing the energy / space requirement of the distillation processes

d) E-Mobility

Role of Oil Industries in Future Automotive Technologies Automobile industry is racing towards a new world, driven by sustainability and currently going through a transition phase where various technologies are constantly evolving, hydrogen vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles, connected, autonomous, shared and electric (CASE) vehicle and smart mobility are some of the examples. As automotive industry is one of the biggest consumers for oil companies products, any change in the functionality of automotive industry would have a significant impact on oil and gas industries business.

Ideas are invited from the participants to address the question “How would an oil industry conduct R&D in order to match the pace of the innovations currently the automotive industry is going through?”

E-Mobility

Role of Oil Industries in Future Automotive Technologies Automobile industry is racing towards a new world, driven by sustainability and currently going through a transition phase where various technologies are constantly evolving, hydrogen vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles, connected, autonomous, shared and electric (CASE) vehicle and smart mobility are some of the examples. As automotive industry is one of the biggest consumers for oil companies products, any change in the functionality of automotive industry would have a significant impact on oil and gas industries business.

Ideas are invited from the participants to address the question “How would an oil industry conduct R&D in order to match the pace of the innovations currently the automotive industry is going through?”

All aspects of science are changing as a result of digitalization, including agenda-setting, experimentation, knowledge exchange, and public engagement. AI/ML concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. It’s important to recognize that AI is a constantly moving target. Machine learning, image recognition, natural language processing, real-time analytics tools and various connected systems within the Internet of Things (IoT) all tap AI in order to deliver more advanced features and capabilities. Hence ideas are invited under the following themes of Digitalization

• a. Digital twin for process optimization in Refinery
• b. Advanced Corrosion Monitoring Devices
• c. AI based process intensification
• d. 3D Printing of Catalyst Materials
• e. AI in energy transition
• f. Machine Learning for New Material Development

Today, pollution and resource scarcity are of the biggest concern in a world that is changing quickly. A circular economy is an economic system that utilizes multiple uses and recycling of products to address global issues including climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. Hence ideas are invited under the following themes of circular economy

• a. E-waste and Plastic waste management
• b. Refining spent catalyst utilization
• c. Biomass utilization for fuels and chemicals (emphasis on lignin conversion)
• d. Waste Water Treatment and Waste Water Recycling Technologies
• e. Bio-degradation of plastics
• f. Enhancers for higher protein secretion by mycelial fungi, yeast cells

Hydrogen is today enjoying unprecedented momentum. The world efforts are being made to make hydrogen an important part of clean and secure energy future. The pragmatic and actionable recommendations for the industries will make it possible to take full advantage of this increasing momentum. Hence ideas are invited under the following core themes of Hydrogen.

• a. H2 fuel cell
• b. Hydrogen carriers
• c. Green Hydrogen
• d. Design improvements for Hydrogen based engines

a) Selective ethanol production from CO₂ :
CO₂ emissions is on the main reasons for global warming. There is a thrust for converting the CO₂ to various chemicals and fuels. Great research efforts have gone into converting CO₂ to methanol and demonstrated at pilot and commercial plants level. However, production of higher alcohols from CO₂ is challenging due to several elementary reactions involved and controlling the C-C bond length to improve selectivity of selective alcohol is still at research level. Selective conversion of CO₂ to ethanol not only reduces these emissions, but also the ethanol produced can be used as direct gasoline blend and it reduces nation’s dependence on crude oil imports.

Innovative ideas are invited on catalyst design for stable and selective production of ethanol through single step CO₂ conversion.

b) CO₂ conversion to valuable Fuel
The primary energy supply comes from fossil fuel like oil, natural gas and coal. The dependency on fossil fuel brings serious environmental problems in addition to the scarcity of energy. One of the most concerning environmental problems is the large contribution to global warming because of the massive discharge of CO₂ in the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore, the preparation of valuable fuels from CO₂ has attracted great attention because it has made a promising step toward simultaneously resolving the environment and energy problems.

In this respect ideas are invited to explore novel catalytic materials and technology which can effectively convert CO₂ to valuable fuel.

In this respect ideas are invited to explore novel catalytic materials and improve the catalyst stability. To explore more active catalysts for low-temperature and energy-saving CO₂ activation and hydrogenation. Efficient photocatalyst which can give high conversion selectivity and must be stable.

c) Novel chemicals/strategies for CO₂ and H₂S absorptionstrong>

The ideas can include (i) New generation amine chemicals,

(ii) homogenous/heterogeneous promoters to enhance the CO₂ and H₂S absorption capacities,

(iii) Additives for promoting low temperature regeneration,
(iv) Chemicals to mimic the enzymatic promoters for CO₂ and H₂S absorption and

(v) Strategies similar to Demixing process developed recently

Advanced functional materials and interfaces is a naturally interdisciplinary field with chemistry playing a central role. Functional materials are widely used in various fields because of their excellent properties, such as magnetism, catalysis, electrical and optical properties, high specific surface area, and good mechanical properties. Hence ideas are invited under the following core themes of Advanced Functional Materials.

• a.Polyolefin composite materials for adhesives, self-reinforced polymer and thermal conductive plastics; Polymeric Resins
• b.Battery Materials and Supercapacitors

Petroleum and petrochemicals are this century's most productive and active industries. Each year, people use more than 2,500 million tonnes of oil. This clearly illustrates the size, importance, and economic foundation of industry. Over the years, a significant transition has taken place from the crudest method of petroleum extraction and refinement, giving rise to the contemporary refinery. This is because refinery operations have incorporated scientific and technological developments at the appropriate time. One must stay current with these developments because information is growing and there are numerous advancements. Hence ideas are invited under the following core themes of Petroleum Refining.

• a. Process Intensification in Refining industry
• b. Re-refining of used lubricating oil
• c. Novel strategies/chemicals for CO2 and H2S absorption
• d. Advanced Materials and Catalyst for Petroleum Refining (cost effective and time-saving synthesis of large pore zeolites, nano based zeolites)

The majority of the world's electricity is still produced using fossil fuels, and the energy sector's main source of carbon emissions is power generation. Despite the rapid expansion of renewable energy generation, the sheer scale of current power sector emissions and the vital role of electrification mean that countries must urgently tackle their emissions from power to meet these global climate goals. In effect, the power sector has to dramatically reduce its carbon intensity. Hence ideas are invited under the following core themes of CO₂ capture & conversion.

• a. Conversion of CO₂ to ethanol
• b. Membrane development for CO₂ separation
• c. Conversion of CO₂ to fuels and Chemicals

a) Role of AI in energy transition
Energy transition from fossil-based systems (oil, natural gas and coal) to renewable energy sources like wind and solar, with attendant energy storage has become a dire necessity due to the alarming rate of global warming and climate change, besides limited reserves of fossil resources.. The key challenges with these renewable sources is their non-availability on a continuous 24x7 basis and lack of human control over the variation in their intensity with time. This introduces difficulty in matching generation with consumption and smooth integration with alternate sources of generation or storage devices. AI can be a useful tool to this end.Ideas are invited for use of Artificial Intelligence techniques / methods which can ensure a smooth energy transition

b) Machine Learning for New Alloy Development
Corrosion is relentless. Incidents such as Aloha airlines or the Alaskan oil spill have shown us the need for proper corrosion monitoring and usage of corrosion-resistant materials. Several newer corrosion-resistant alloys are being developed to address a host of different corrosion issues. ICME (Integrated Computational Material Engineering) uses DFT as a bottoms-up approach for cutting down both time and cost in the development of new materials from first principles. It provides inputs to CALPHAD amongst other approaches. However, it is computationally very demanding and recommended only when other approaches including direct experimentation are limiting. The lead time for development is typically around 3-5 years, involving multiple trials of material combination and performance assessment. Advanced statistical techniques such as Machine Learning is emerging as a parallel approach which bypasses development of rigorous physically complex and self-consistent models. While it may have limitations in this respect it could add value through quick identification of potential materials which can then be taken up for rigorous modelling..

In this regard, Ideas are invited for use of Machine Learning which can reduce the lead time in alloy development

c) Advanced Corrosion Monitoring Devices
New advancements in digitalization, automation, and machine learning are paving the way for further progress at the intersection of robotics and corrosion prevention, while increasing efficiency and safety, and even creating new jobs. A variety of robotic technologies are employed to access remote or hazardous areas, conduct precise and repeatable inspections, or perform tasks that are dull, dirty, or physically demanding In this regard, Ideas are invited for the development of advanced robotic technologies for corrosion monitoring.

d) AI based process intensification
AI can help in finding optimized solutions for systems with vast number of variables. For refining / chemical industry, AI based decision making can be a breakthrough in managing resources, pipelines etc. Research ideas/methods on AI based process optimization and intensification are invited in this regard.

e ) Artificial intelligence for predicting fouling in heat exchangers
Fouling on process equipment and heat exchanger surfaces have a significant, detrimental impact on the working efficiency and operation of the heat exchangers. The existing research on fouling mitigation is predominantly on fouling prevention using anti-foulant chemicals. A predictive model which can foresee fouling can yield benefits through timely preventive maintenance which in turn can avoid unanticipated shutdowns, improve plant operation, minimize energy consumption and avoid loss of production.
Ideas are invited for use of Artificial Intelligence techniques for creating a prediction model which can predict fouling with precision & accuracy.

a) India's electronic waste challenge
India has seen a rapid increase in electronic items consumption in the past few decades. With cheaper electronics and quick obsolescence of technology; the single usage of electronic items has increased. At present only a fifth of e-waste generated is recycled safely. Some challenges therein are a general lack of awareness of the problem including hazards associated with disposal in landfills, compliance to the proper collection for disposal, use of unsafe methods of reclamation leading to exposure of workers to hazardous chemicals, pollution of the environment affecting the population at large, need for better technical methods to improve the economics of recycling/reclamation. Research ideas on managing India's electronic waste are important in this regard. Novel ideas and solutions are invited to address the above problems.

b) Cost-effective ways for spent catalyst valorization
Elements such as Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mo, W, Ga, Ge, Sn, Sb, Bi, and, Pb are widely used in catalysis by virtue of their inherent chemical activity. Their recovery from naturally occurring ores is an elaborate expensive process which is energy and water intensive. Besides high cost, exposure to these metals is hazardous to human health and ecology. Disposal of spent catalysts in secured landfill has adverse effect on economics and also poses risk of pollution in event of leaching and leakage to environment. Thus, proper handling and disposal of spent catalysts is an important environmental and economic matter. Reuse of spent catalysts by rejuvenation or reclamation of active metals or alternate uses for spent catalysts is highly desirable. Novel ideas and solutions are invited in this regard. The ideas can include (i) Cost effective ways of regeneration and rejuvenation of the spent catalyst (ii) Alternate applications of spent or regenerated catalysts (iii) Cost effective and practical ways for recovery of valuable metals in spent catalysts in bulk scale.

c) Re-refining of used lubricating oil
Lubricating oils are widely used in industries to reduce friction and wear by interposing a thin film of oil between metallic surfaces. During normal use, impurities such as water, salt,dirt, metal scrapings, broken down additive components, varnish and other materials can get mixed in with the oil or be generated in it due to thermal degradation or oxidation. Therefore, the oil quality gradually decreases to a level that the used oil should be replaced by a new one . Disposing the used oil pollutes environment to a great extent . Due to the increasing necessity of environmental protection and the more and more strict environmental legislation the disposal and recycling of used oils become very important As a result, the used oil needs proper management to make it a valuable product. Conventional methods for treatment and recycling include acid – clay treatment, vacuum distillation, solvent extraction etc. Ideas are invited on developing a cost effective, efficient & environment friendly process for recycling/re-use of waste lubricating oils.