iSTAR® is a novel thermophilic anaerobic digestion technology, used to treat hazardous wastes such as landfill leachate and domestic septage. It can be used to treat single or multiple substrates (co-digestion). The inbuilt 'Remote Monitoring System' keeps track of the bioreactor's health. Organic matter present in the substrate(s) is converted into methane-rich biogas. Effluent sludge is composted and used as a soil amendment.
IAAN (Integrated Aerobic and Anaerobic Reactor)
The IAAN® (Integrated Aerobic-Anaerobic Nutrient) reactor system is a novel two-stage biological treatment process combining an aerobic SNAD (Simultaneous Nitrification and Aerobic Denitrification) reactor with a thermophilic iSTAR® anaerobic digester. Designed for closed landfill leachate (CLL), the system removes ammoniacal nitrogen and degrades humic substances in the SNAD unit, followed by high-rate methane-rich biogas production in the iSTAR® unit. Key innovations include intelligent mixing, PID-controlled heating, and cloud-based real-time monitoring. The process ensures enhanced pollutant removal, energy recovery, and reduced sludge generation—offering a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to conventional physicochemical treatments. The treated effluent is non-toxic and suitable for composting or irrigation, supporting circular economy goals.
HOLAnD (High Organic Loaded Anaerobic Digestion) System
The HOLAnD® system is an advanced reactor technology designed to treat solid-rich organic waste at high organic loading rates with enhanced process stability and efficiency. It features controlled hydrolysis to prevent VFA accumulation, shortened hydraulic retention time (HRT of 26 days), and high volatile solids reduction. The system eliminates the need for pre-dilution, reduces sludge generation, and allows for compact reactor design, cutting both operational and capital costs. HOLAnD® supports high biogas yields and offers potential for nutrient recovery from digestate, making it an ideal solution for decentralized waste-to-energy applications aligned with circular economy goals.
Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Organics (TAnDoOr)
Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Residues (TAnDoOR) process enables high-rate bioconversion of food waste and nutrient-rich substrates under thermophilic conditions, ensuring enhanced stability, energy recovery, and digestate quality. This innovation overcomes the limitations of mesophilic digestion by facilitating efficient treatment at high organic loading rates through optimized co-digestion strategies, reduced retention time, and pathogen control supporting sustainable waste valorization and circular bioeconomy.
Nitric Oxide Targeted Anammox (NOTA)
Nitric Oxide Targeted Anammox (NOTA) process enables energy-efficient nitrogen removal from closed landfill leachate by lowering oxygen demand and enhancing microbial conversion pathways. This innovation overcomes key limitations of conventional anammox by promoting a novel nitric oxide-dependent route for improved sustainability and performance.
Technology Commissioned
As part of the CoRE project, a 12m³ (12,000 L) thermophilic biogas digester was commissioned in 2014 at the students' hostel dining hall to treat food waste. The biogas produced is used as a supplement for cooking gas and the spent slurry is used as a soil amendment/ biofertilizer for horticulture.
As part of DST-PURSE project, a 25m³ (25,000L) biomethanation digester was commissioned in 2023 at the sewage treatment plant in BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus to treat the food waste. The biogas produced is converted into electricity to supplement the energy requirements of the sewage treatment plant, while the spent slurry is utilized as a biofertilizer, promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices.
Additionally, a 100m³ (100,000L) biomethanation digester is being set up in Thumkunta municipality. Once operational, the digester will process 2 tons of organic waste daily, converting it into biogas for electricity generation to support the local community. The spent slurry will be repurposed as a biofertilizer, reinforcing sustainable agricultural and waste-to-energy initiatives.
Enterprenuership
ALMaC Protech: Incubated a start-up company named ALMaC Projects and Technologies Private Limited at Technology Business Incubator, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus. ALMaC Protech is a Technology Development, Technology Adaptation, Systems Engineering and Projects Management Company, specializing in the domains of Biological Systems, Solar, IoT and IC Technologies.
