Key Research Areas :Modeling and Optimization of Novel Processes, Process Design and Operation of Membrane Separation Processes, Waste and waste water treatment (WWWT) for Process Industries, Novel Desalination Technologies, Smart Water Grid, Waste to Energy
Email id : senthilmurugan@iitg.ac.in
Phone : 0361 258 3527 (office)
0361 258 5542 (lab)
Department of Chemical Engineering
Office Room No: 309
Water and Energy Nexus Lab Room No 306
IIT Guwahati
Assam 781039
I bring over 20 years of cumulative industrial and academic research experience in the domains of water-energy nexus, membrane separation processes, wastewater treatment, smart grids, and AI/ML-driven process optimization. My professional journey began with intensive R&D at ABB Ltd, where I led the Water Business Program and co-developed globally recognized tools like the OPTIMAX® Membrane Performance System.
Since joining IIT Guwahati in 2013, I have served as faculty in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Professor and Chairperson of the Technology Incubation Centre (TIC). My career is defined by applied industrial research, strategic technology development, and academic leadership, resulting in:
34 patent applications, of which 15 are granted across India, USA, Europe, and other jurisdictions.
82+ peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals and conferences.
40+ funded projects, with a cumulative research funding of INR 24.3 Cr, including INR 17.7 Cr from industry.
Technology transfer of 5 innovations to 8 companies, with 4 more under transfer.
Founder of 3 deep-tech startups translating academic research into deployable industrial solutions.
My research lies at the confluence of chemical engineering, environmental sustainability, and intelligent systems. Key research domains include:
Water-Energy Nexus: Integrated solutions for water reuse, recovery, and energy optimization in process industries.
Membrane Science and Technology: Design and operation of ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, membrane distillation, and hybrid systems.
Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery: Innovative technologies for surfactant recovery, antibiotic removal, and greywater reuse.
AI and Machine Learning for Process Industries: Digital twins, decision support systems, predictive maintenance, and data-driven operational optimization.
Smart Water Grid and Environmental Sensing: Development of multiparametric water quality sensors and IoT-based monitoring tools.
Desalination Technologies: Low-energy, high-recovery desalination and brine valorization.
Air Quality and Microplastic Control: Novel ceramic and sericin-based membrane systems for air purification and microplastic filtration.
Energy Storage and Smart Microgrids: Waste-to-energy conversion, thermochemical storage, and decentralized renewable integration.
Process Modeling and Optimization: Advanced process simulation, scheduling, and design with energy-water-pollutant pinch approaches.
Technology Transfer and Innovation Ecosystems: Translation of lab-scale technologies to field-scale industrial adoption, including entrepreneurial pathways.
Domains of Expertise: Membrane technologies, wastewater reuse, forward osmosis, desalination, AI/ML for process industries, air and water quality monitoring, smart microgrids, energy storage.
Notable Technologies Transferred:
Biomass-based charcoal production reactors (TRL 9)
Real-time drilling decision support systems
Multiparametric water quality sensors
Refoximin-Ethanol extraction via membrane distillation
Active Projects: AI-powered procurement automation, hybrid separation, ceramic membrane for effluent reuse, green activated carbon from bamboo dust, and Indo-EU digital technology hubs (INPACE, LOTUS).
Industrial Collaborators: ABB, NRL, ONGC, Unilever, Eureka Forbes, Oil India Ltd., L&T, Indian Army, BIRAC.
Hydroscope Technology Pvt. Ltd. – Water quality sensing
Ultimate Aeroaqua Filter Pvt. Ltd. – Innovative membrane systems
Softdrill Solution Pvt. Ltd. – AI for oil & gas drilling
All three ventures focus on scalable technologies for environmental and industrial sustainability.
Heat Transfer
Optimization
Process control
Application of Al and ML in chemical engineering