INTRODUCTION
Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute(CSMCRI) was established in the year 1954,
to carry out Research and Development work in the fields of salt, marine and other allied inorganic chemicals.
The Major Objectives are :
Major R&D Programmes
Major R&D programmes of CSMCRI relate to :
Significant Achievements
The institute's R&D has helped the salt industry in improving the yield and quality of their products. The all India average
yield of salt per unit area has considerably improved as a result of R&D efforts of the institute
CSMCRI has developed reverse osmosis technology with membranes in spiral configuration of desalination of brackish
water. Four stationary plants and three mobile desalination plants based on this technology have been installed in
different parts of the country, under the Drinking Water Mission. One stationary and one mobile plant have been gifted
to the Government of Thailand.
Ten electrodialysis plants have been developed and installed for desalination of sea water based on a cost-effective
technology evolved at the institute.
CSMCRI has fabricated and operated pilot plants for the production of bromine, potassium chloride and refractory
grade magnesia.
R&D work of the institute has helped the industries based on algae and other plants as raw materials, in improving the
quality and yield of their products like agar-agar and alginic acid.
The institute has developed an indigenous technology for the manufacture of thin film composite membranes.
The institute has developed a technology based on low-cost batch submersion process for the production of iodized salt,
which has been commercialized.
Technologies have been developed for the production of potassium schoenite from marine mixed salt, sodium sulphate
from shell mixture, potassium alum from mixed salt, alpha plaster of Paris, potassium nitrate, basic magnesium carbonate,
magnesium trisilicate, epsom salt, magnesium hydroxide, synthetic calcium silicate, potassium nitrate and ammonium
chloride.
The Institute has also developed solar stills.
Major Technologies Transferd to Industry
Plants based on reverse osmosis technology developed by CSMCRI installed in different parts of the country and
abroad
Technologies for free flowing table salt, diary salt for butter and cheese, high purity AR grade sodium chloride and
iodized salt
Bromine from sea bitterns
Low density precipitated silica
Technology for demineralization of sugarcane juice
Technologies Ready for Transfer
Major Future Programmes
The future programmes of CSMCRI will be directed towards about further improvement in design of salt washery for
upgradation of salt quality, design and development of unit process operations for chemical treatment of brines, and purification
by ion exchange and membrane cells. It is proposed to develope porous, bipolar liquid membranes and conducting spacers for
better efficiency and cost-effectiveness in electrodialysis (ED) of saline water. Use of ED technology will be extended to the
treatment of industrial effluents too.
It is planned to survey marine wealth of India and quality and quantity of economic sea weeds. Cultivation techniques will be
developed for iodine-rich weeds. Investigations on silica-based chemicals will be extended and catalytic systems and processes
will be developed for conversion of syngas and other raw materials into value-added organic chemicals.
Main Facilities
A wide range of modern instruments for characterization and structure determination of chemicals, eg. equipment for
x-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis and gas chromatographic analysis; atomic absorption spectrometer, Fourier
transform IR spectrometer, NMR spectrometer etc.
Instrumental facilities for surface area measurements, and determination/distribution of particle size.
A well equipped workshop
Library
Services Offered
The institute hasinstalled a number of plants for the desalination of water in different parts of the country, under the Drinking
Water Mission. CSMCRI offers testing and analytical services on salt brine; water and soil samples; potassic fertilizers, soda
ash; minerals like limestone, magnesite,dolomite, magnesia and gypsum; and samples of ion-exchange resins. Services are also
available on china clay sieve analysis, particle size determmination and determination od traces of heavy materials in salt
samples. The institute takes up consultancy work on problems related to its area of specialization, specially those related to salt
production and desalination of water.
Training Cources
The institue organizes short-term training courses in the areas of its specialization.
Publications
CSMCRI brings out a news bullentin, CSMCRI Newsletter, and its annual reports.
Dr. S. Kannan and Dr. S Muthusamy of Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research
Institute, Bhavnagar (chemical sciences) have won the young scientist -
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award for the year, 1998.
Contact person: Director,
CSMCRI
Field Stations/Extension Centres
CSMCRI Marine Algal Research Station
CSMCRI Sea Water Irriculture Field Station
Contact :
Gijubhai Badheka Marg,
cultivation of indigenous and exotic plants of industrial value
M.S. Bungalow, P.O. Mandapam
Ramnad Dist - 623 518
House no. 20/3, Satya Niwas
Hill Patna, Berhampur - 760 005
Bhavnagar - 364 002
Telephone: 91-278-29496
Telegram: NAMAK, BHAVNAGAR
Telex: 0182-230 SALT IN
Fax: 91-278-26970
Email: csmcri@sirnetd.ernet.in
