Achievements - BITS Pilani

Significant Career Landmark

15 Years of Academic Excellence at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus

Industrial Validation

Third Runner-Up, Future Tech Aqua Start-up Hackathon (2025)

Awarded by L&T Construction – Water & Effluent Treatment IC at the Water Technology Centre, Kancheepuram (30th August 2025), in recognition of the innovative technology iSTAR® (Intelligently Stirred Thermophilic Anaerobic Reactor) and its contribution to advancing sustainable water and wastewater treatment solutions.

Media Coverage

The New Indian Express article “How AI Transforms Ideas into Profit” (18 September 2025), highlighting the convergence of artificial intelligence and waste-to-energy systems as a frontier for sustainable innovation

How AI transforms ideas into profit

How AI Transforms Ideas into Profit

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iSTAR (Intelligently Stirred Thermophilic Anaerobic Reactor)

iSTAR® technology was featured in Telangana Today

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. This technology has been developed as part of the SPARSH project No. BT/SPARSH0144/03/15, funded by BIRAC.

Explore the article here

SAAnA (Sandwich Aerobic-Anaerobic-Aerobic) Reactor

SAAnA is a novel anaerobic digestion technology designed for decentralized organic waste treatment and renewable energy recovery. It integrates faster digestion kinetics with robust reactor design, enabling conversion of organic waste into methane-rich biogas and nutrient-rich compost. The system provides a scalable and sustainable solution for urban and rural waste management challenges.

Our research on decentralized organic waste management and energy recovery has been widely recognized in leading media outlets

Now, a one-stop solution for organic waste treatment developed by researchers at Hyderabad campus of BITS Pilani

Innovation in organic waste management from BITS Pilani Hyderabad

BITS Hyderabad researchers develop faster organic waste treatment

Full article

SAAnA cuts processing time by 60%, boosts biogas yield: BITS Pilani innovation to transform waste management

SAAnA reactor improves organic waste management

SAAnA reactor offers a breakthrough in organic waste management

Revolutionizing Waste Management: The SAAnA Reactor's Breakthrough Solution

Full article

Technologies Developed

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.

TAnDoOr (Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Organics) System

The TAnDoOR process is a novel thermophilic anaerobic co-digestion technology designed for enhanced biomethanation of high-strength organic wastes such as food waste and sewage sludge. Operating at 55 °C, the process efficiently handles high organic loading rates, delivering up to two-fold higher biogas yields in nearly half the retention time of conventional mesophilic digestion. The optimized co-digestion strategy (75:25 FW:SS) ensures nutrient balance, stable pH, and process resilience, while the thermophilic conditions simultaneously improve pathogen destruction. The system produces nutrient-rich, pathogen-free digestate suitable as a biofertilizer, supporting circular economy goals. By reducing processing time, improving energy recovery, and enabling decentralized waste-to-energy solutions, TAnDoOR offers a scalable, sustainable, and economically viable alternative to conventional waste management practices.

NOTA (Nitric Oxide Targeted Anammox) Process

The NOTA process is an innovative biological treatment technology designed to achieve highly efficient nitrogen removal from challenging wastewater streams such as landfill leachate (CLL) and other nitrogen-rich effluents. Unlike conventional anammox systems that rely on nitrite (NO₂⁻) and generate toxic hydrazine intermediates, NOTA introduces a nitric oxide (NO)-dependent pathway that is both energetically favorable (ΔG = -1784 kJ/mol) and environmentally safer. Operating under reduced dissolved oxygen levels (0.8–1.5 mg/L) with activated sludge as the inoculum, NOTA ensures partial nitrification to provide substrates while selectively suppressing nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, thus reducing competition and nitrate accumulation. By bypassing hydrazine formation and employing NO as the electron acceptor, NOTA minimizes toxicity, enhances microbial stability, and conserves energy, enabling >98% ammoniacal nitrogen removal even under complex leachate conditions. The process also lowers aeration energy demand, simplifies operation, and supports microbial adaptation to high-strength wastewaters. With its combination of superior energy efficiency, reduced toxicity, and robust nitrogen removal, NOTA represents a breakthrough advancement for sustainable, cost-effective treatment of recalcitrant nitrogenous waste streams.

Industrial & Technology Recognition

International Recognitions

Nominated as one out of three from India for Frontier Planet Prize, 2024, Frontiers Research Foundation, Switzerland.

Appointed as a Judge for the QS Reimagine Education Awards in consecutive years (2023 & 2024), contributing expert evaluation of transformative educational innovations from around the globe. Participated in the 2024 Reimagine Education Conference held at the QEII Centre, Westminster, London, UK.

Scientific-High-Level-Visiting-Fellowships-SSHN-2023-1080-×-1080px1

Short Research Trip to France (SRTF, 2023) Fellowship of the French Institute in India (IFI) / the Embassy of France in India, November 2023

National Recognitions

Received Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award from Alagappa University, Karaikudi

Received Excellence in Waste Management and Environmental Impact Award at K S Rangaswamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu

Listed in Top 100 Indian Innovations 2023, Indian Innovators Association, Notion Press, ISBN 979-8-89133-723-7, 2023.

Adjudicator, Member of the board of adjudicators for PhD thesis evaluation of the following universities

Reviewer for reputed journals, contributing peer evaluation and editorial insight to advance scholarly research.

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.

Evolution of Anaerobic Digester:

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.

Administrative Responsibilities

Current Position:

Institute-wide Coordinator, LEAD Academics (From February, 2025)

Coordinator, Global Sanitation Graduate School (From September, 2019)

Past Position:

Member, WILP & Industry Connect, Project Lakshya (October, 2018)

Nucleus Member, Instruction Division (August, 2009 to December, 2012).

Member, Curriculum Bench marking for MSc Bio Sc, BE Biotech & ME Biotech programs (March, 2010).

Faculty Member, Academic Counseling Cell (August, 2010).

Member, Curriculum Restructuring: Ecology & Environmental Science and Plant Physiology (July, 2011).

Member, Departmental Research Committee, Dept. of Biological Sciences (July, 2011 to February, 2013).

Program Coordinator, National Service Scheme (February, 2011 to September, 2012).

In-charge, Timetable, Instruction Division (August, 2011 to September, 2012).

Convener, Prof. V. S. Rao Prize for Innovation in Education (December, 2011).

In-charge, Course Management System (January 2012 to December, 2012).

Campus Coordinator, French courses, Alliance Francaise of Hyderabad (February, 2012 to September, 2012).

Invited Faculty Member, Student Faculty Committee (March, 2012).

Process Owner, Learning Management System, Enterprise Resource Planning (May, 2012).

Lead Faculty Innovator, Centre for Innovation (August, 2012 to February, 2015).

Faculty In-charge, Placement Unit (September, 2012 to February, 2014).

In-charge, Student Feedback & Monitoring, Instruction Division (September, 2012 to December, 2012).

Faculty In-charge, Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship (June, 2013 to February, 2015).

Leader, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Mission 2015 (June, 2013 to March, 2016).

Associate Dean, International Programmes and Collaboration Division (January, 2014 to July, 2018).

Convener, Departmental Committee for Academics (November, 2016 to October, 2018).

Campus Coordinator, Project Management Office, Project Lakshya (August, 2017 to December, 2017).

Member, Departmental Research Committee (September, 2019 to November, 2020)

Associate Dean, Practice School Division (July, 2018 to September, 2021).

Other Position:

President, Tamil Sangam, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus (August 2010).

In-charge, Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences (October 2011).

Faculty Member, URJA, (November 2011).

Committee Member, Steering Committee Meeting & visit of the Governor of Andhra Pradesh (December 2011).

Transport Coordinator, Chancellor’s Visit (December 2011).

Member, Committee for mid semester test pattern (March 2012).

Coordinator, Transportation & Stay Arrangements, Convocation Committee (May 2012).

Coordinator, Workshop for researchers in infectious diseases from Canada and India. (June 2012).

In-charge, Pre-Convocation Events (August 2012).

Coordinator, Transportation & Stay Arrangements, Alumni Advisory Committee (August 2012).

Event In-charge, Srimad Bhagavad Gita by Swami Anubhavananda Saraswati, (August 2012 & January 2013).

Coordinator, Jeevan Vidya Introductory Talk by Prof. Rajeev Singhal (November 2012).

Coordinator, Farewell for outgoing students (November 2012).

Member, UGC Innovation Project proposal submission team (February 2013).

Event In-charge, Srimad Bhagavad Gita by Swami Anubhavananda Saraswati, (August 2012 & January 2013).

Member, Quality Assessment & Assurance, Mission 2015 Workshop (March 2013).

Coordinator, Convocation Documentation Sub Committee, Convocation 2013 (May 2013).

Coordinator, Convocation Documentation Sub Committee, Convocation 2014 ( June 2014).

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Prof. P. Sankar Ganesh

Nominated as one out of three from India for Frontier Planet Prize, 2024, Frontiers Research Foundation, Switzerland.

Appointed as a Judge for the QS Reimagine Education Awards in consecutive years (2023 & 2024), contributing expert evaluation of transformative educational innovations from around the globe. Participated in the 2024 Reimagine Education Conference held at the QEII Centre, Westminster, London, UK.

Short Research Trip to France (SRTF, 2023) Fellowship of the French Institute in India (IFI) / the Embassy of France in India, November 2023

Received Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award from Alagappa University, Karaikudi

Received Excellence in Waste Management and Environmental Impact Award at K S Rangaswamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu

Listed in Top 100 Indian Innovations 2023, Indian Innovators Association, Notion Press, ISBN 979-8-89133-723-7, 2023.

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