Undergraduate Research Symposium Chemical and Process Engineering: Recent submissions

  • Employing indigenous microalgae for third generation biofuel production 
    Maduwanthi, MKC; Nuwanthika, WHC; Withanage, PK; Ariyadasa, TU [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    Microalgae have been identified as a potential source for biofuel production by the researches. Cell disruption and chlorophyll removal of microalgae biomass are the most critical factors, which determine the lipid extraction ...
  • Pretreatment of rice straw to intermediate bio-refinery chemical, HMF 
    Madushan, DPL; Thathsara, PDT; Subasinghe, T [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    The conversion of biomass to chemicals on an industrial scale at a competitive cost requires the development of biorefineries analogous to petrochemical refineries. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a promising platform ...
  • Multicomponent adsorption of heavy metals onto coconut shell char: kinetic and equilibrium study 
    Perera, RACD; Madushika, MHG; Anupama, KADU; Amarasinghe, BMWPK [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    Coconut shell (CS) charcoal is a potential low-cost adsorbent. Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions in wastewater removal by adsorption is studied in the research using CS char. Results showed that, the maximum adsorption capacity for ...
  • Investigation of microalgae carotenoids as potential nutraceutical compounds 
    Fernando, MAS; Hansika, NPS; Ariyadasa, T [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    Haemotococcus pluvalis is a microalgae specie which is recognized as a potential source of astaxanthin accumulation. By selecting two governing cultivation parameters in the form of illumination and initial phosphorous ...
  • Hydrolysis of ethyl acetate using low cost heterogeneous catalysts 
    Fernando, MKS; Rajapaksha, UBD; Gunasekara, M [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    The hydrolysis of ethyl acetate is an important reaction in process engineering applications. In industrial scale the reaction is carried out under presence of homogeneous acid catalyst which leads to several environmental ...
  • Effect of biofilm growth in anaerobic reactor treating dairy wastewater 
    Eranda, JADV; Kalpani, WHA; Darshana, WAC; Rathnasiri, PG [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    In this study, attention was given to anaerobic digestion of dairy wastewater, which has higher COD levels and a nutritional rich media for microbial growth. Generally, Fixed Bed Biofilm Reactors are significant in treating ...
  • Quantitative risk analysis of a fuel storage tank 
    Attanayake, DDS; Senarathana, NACJD; Madushanka, DR; Gunasekara, M [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    Quantification of risks has become an indispensable element with modern day systems as it provides an insight into the magnitude of the probable loss prior to the commencement of projects. A methodology for quantifying the ...
  • Adsorption and desorption studies of heavy metals on to coconut shell char 
    Abesekara, MS; Kosvinna, KNR; Amarasinghe, BMWPK [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    Heavy metals in wastewater can be removed by several methods including adsorption. Activated carbon (AC) is widely used, but expensive adsorbent. Since AC derived from coconut shell (CS) is a good adsorbent, coconut shell ...
  • Applicability of chitosan for the removal of fat from coconut milk-based wastewater 
    Peiris, ATDN; Sanjeewa, GIN; Gunawardena, SHP [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the possibility of using Chitosan, a bio polymer for the removal of fat originated from coconut milk. Identification of optimum parametric conditions for fat adsorptivity was ...
  • Biomass gasification in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor 
    Dodawatta, DVBK; Indula, UD; Maddumage, MDRS; Wijesekere, GAT; Narayana, M [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    The effect of secondary air flow rate and particle size on the combustion temperature inside the bubbling fluidized bed reactor was reviewed. The experiments were carried out for four particle sizes with varied secondary ...
  • Effect of particle size on optimum air levels required for packed bed combustion of biomass 
    Arunasiri, RADS; Samaranayake, AWN; Samarawickrama, SLTM; Silva, SAB; Narayana, M [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    A relation between the particle size and excess air flow rate for packed bed combustion of biomass has been the objective of this research project. Particles of square cubes of different dimensions and different air flow ...
  • Efficient production of dimethylfuran (DMF) from hydroxylmethylfurfural (HMF) using catalytic hydrogenation reaction 
    Kekulawala, KVLW; Udayakumara, HPCS; Subasinghe, T. [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    In a time of steady decline in oil reserves, instability in oil prices, strong environmental legislation and global warming concerns, researchers and oil companies are actively seeking cost - effective processes to convert ...
  • Evaluation of DMF as an efficient fuel for direct injection spark ignition (DISI) engine 
    Jayasinghe, MVDDM; Karunathilake, WPD; Ranathunga, RAML; Subasinghe, T [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    Alternative fuels are very important when considering the power requirements in the modern world today. Biofuels were introduced to satisfy these requirements which will play a major role in future. 2,5-dimethylfuran known ...
  • Hot water washing of rice husk for ash removal 
    Bandara, YW; Gamage, HGPP; Gunarathne, RMDS [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    The improvement of combustion quality of rice husk can be achieved by water washing as pre-treatment. Particle size and temperature are important parameters to consider when washing biomass. Conductivity of the washing ...
  • Kinetics and mathematical modeling of drying of parboiled paddy in a packed bed dryer 
    Anuththara, JGM; Edirisinghe, EAVU; Amarsinghe, BMWPK [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    Drying characteristics of 2 types of parboiled paddy (“Nadu” & “Samba”) was investigated in a packed bed dryer. Drying experiments for both paddy types were carried out at three different hot air temperatures 35oC, 45oC ...
  • Material & energy flow analysis in cinnamon industry 
    Givendrashighe, RP; Premarathna, WISS; Madhusankha, HMI; Amarasinghe, ADUS [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    This paper briefly reviews the material and energy flow analysis and economic analysis of the cinnamon industry in Sri Lanka, in order to identify opportunities for improvements and waste minimization. The basis is taken ...
  • Solar driven biomass gasification: Sri Lankan context 
    Aluthge, PRK; Sanjeewa, DV; Senarathna, BNL; Gunarathna, D [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    Solar driven biomass gasification is an energy conservation process which produce combustible gas called syngas which consists of Hydrogen, Carbon dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Methane. Product gas has higher energy density ...
  • Sustainability assessment of cinnamon biomass for energy generation 
    Illangakoon, IPTD; Jayarathne, KM; Thennakoon, TMIP; Weerasooriya, DP; Amarasinghe, ADUS [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    Affordable and Clean Energy is the 7th Sustainable development goal of United Nations and to achieve this goal, renewable energy is one of the perfect solutions. Recently gliricidia has been nominated as the 4th energy ...
  • Biomass torrefaction for cofiring in coal power plant 
    Karunathilaka, SASAL; Ratnayake, RMKGJ [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    Torrifaction is a thermochemical process used to enhance the energy content of biomass. This study is based on torrefaction of wood materials with different qualities. The suitable ranges of temperatures for torrefaction ...
  • Carbonization of urban bio waste in Sri Lanka 
    Bandara, AMHS; Gunathilaka, T; Pieirs, KCA; Narayana, M [Conference-Extended-Abstract]
    The research scope was set to study the compatibility of applying torrefaction for bio-waste of Sri Lanka. For this purpose, it was decided to analyze the before and after torrefaction properties of a sample with Sri Lankan ...