Narendra G. Shah  
Ph.D.: Process Engineering, UTC – Compigne France (1990) 
M.Eng.:- Agricultural Machinery and Food Engineering, AIT – Bangkok (1980)
B.Tech. :- Agricultural Engineering, MPAU – Rahuri (1978)

Details of Research Interests: 

A lab is being developed at IIT-Bombay on food process engineering which has specialized equipment required for physical, chemical and microbial characterization of Food materials

Projects completed and ongoing :-

 1) Technology Development Mission Project on “Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Bio-commodities”, sponsored by Planning Commission (GOI) and user Industry in grain storage, seed storage and food storage, 1994-1999.
Eexperimental study on lab-scale storage units  using known species of insects causing economic loss of significance in the tropical region was done. The work has since then culminated into industrial technology transfer for preservation of bag-stacked bio-commodities such as cereal grains (wheat, rice, and malted barley), seeds (soybean, sorghum) and black tea. The choice of plastic films as covering material depended on the gas permeability and water vapour transmission rates, which were confirmed using test-rigs and available equipment. Creation of N₂/CO₂ rich and O₂ depleted atmosphere in the storage units was aided by PSA N₂ generator built and operated locally.  Wheat and rice-stock (PDS quality stack of 1.2 tons and barley malt (0.4 tons) were stored for 8 months without any infestation, moisture pick-up and with superior quality maintenance (taste, color, luster). Humidity sensors located in the grain bulk indicated that in spite of higher ambient Relative Humidities  (upto 95%) the RH inside the plastic film covered stack remained well below 65 % restricting the water activity to safe limits.  Pilot scale work experience with the tested materials suggest that the selected plastic sheet covers can provide acceptable levels of gas/moisture exchange with ambient in inclement weather conditions  in addition to effective and easy sealabilty.

2) Bagged-stack storage preservation of Black tea in Oxygen depleted structure, sponsored by tea Processing Industry, 1999-2000.

Bagged stack of  ˝ Ton tea (export quality) was successfully stored during a pilot study. Humidity, gas concentrations and tea quality (flavour and colour) were monitored. The technique of  bagged stack CA storage system was transferred to the godown site of a tea processing company.

3)Nitrogen flushed environment for protecting Naval equipment, funded by Indian Navy 2001.

The Indian Navy follows  elaborate process to maintain its equipment ‘corrosion free’ in the high humidity coastal areas. Equipment provided by NAVY Materials unit was kept in acceptable conditions for a period of six months in N2 flushed environment.

4)  Agro-forestry coupled charcoal production: Techno-economic Feasibility study, funded by DSCL-Kota, Rajasthan, India, 2004.

The manufactures of  PVC resin and calcium carbide requires charcoal (about 50 ,000 Tons per year) on sustained basis which is currently outsourced from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamilnadu states. Both for assurance in quality and quantity  the Co. has serious intentions of engaging in charcoal manufacturing through planted forestry using “Brazilian” model. The study covered the details on agro-forestry plantations elaborating on types of tree species (for given arid conditions, soil conditions, land availability etc.), agronomic inputs requirements and plantation management issues. Through successful case studies it is demonstrated that the plantation forestry through farmers co-operative and contract farming is techno-economically viable proposition. Techniques of converting wood into charcoal consists of using different types of kilns such as earth mound, brick and steel kilns. Based on  charcoal quality requirements for given end-use a comparative assessment is made to make a final choice.

 5) Institute Co-ordinator for “IIT(B)-KVIC Technology Interface Unit (TIU) Project” funded by KVIC-Mumbai, 2003-07.

The TIU project undertaken for KVIC  explores  development of S and T based entreprenership and employment generating themes possible as village industries. The current projects include : Pedal/animal driven renewable energy power packs, Jaggery process and product shelf life studies, Bakery Heating using a Wood Pyrolyser unit to obtain charcoal as a by-product, Study  of  sneha (pain killer Herbal preparation) oil making process and Solar air heater for Honey storage to avoid  honey crystellization. 

Awards :- 

1)      IIChE / Hindustan Dorr-Oliver award for excellence in use of Science & Technology in Rural Development, December 2004.

2)      Gold Medal for securing 1^st rank in B.Tech. Batch of 1973-78.

Representative Publications 

1)  Mokate N., S.S.Zambre, N.G.Shah,
S.Mahajani and S.G.Kane, Understanding sugar inversion parameters and its possible influence on shelf life of cane jaggery, CHEMCON, 27-29 December 2004.

2) Shah N., Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Agro-commodities, presented during CA-2001, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 8-13 July 2001.

3) Shah N., Role of Bio-energy utilisation in sustainable development, Intl. Journal of Global Energy Issues, Vol.9, No.4-6, 1997.

4) Shah N. and Venkatesh K.V., Controlled Atmosphere Storage of foodgrains, Agricultural Engineering Journal, 1997, 6(2): 75-94.

5)  Rathi S.S., N.Shah, S.S.Zambre andV.B.Kalbande:Respiration,sorption and germination of seeds stored in Controlled Atmosphere, Seed Science and Technology, 28 (2000), 341-348.

6)      Nimkar P M., Chitlange V.B. and
N.G.Shah,  Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Sweet Orange, AFSTI, 12-13 December 2001, Mysore, India.

7)     Shah N., Girard P., Mezerette C. and Vergnet A.M., Wood to Charcoal conversion in an partial-combustion kiln: an experimental study to understand and upgrade the process, FUEL, 1992 Vol.71, August, pp.955-962.