ABOUT THE LABORATORY :
The Regional Research Laboratory (RRL) at Bhubaneswar was
established in 1964 by the Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR), India to undertake R & D towards
utilisation of natural resources with emphasis on
conservation of minerals and energy through process and
product development.
Relating to the above areas of research are :
Characterisation of minerals, beneficiation of lean and
complex ores and agglomeration of ore fines and concentates.
Pyro and hydro-metallurgical extraction of metals,
preparation of alloys and recovery of metal values from
wastes. Development of special materials and composites.
Preparation and synthesis of organic and inorganic chemicals
from marine, forest and mineral resources. Design and
development of process equipments and control systems.
Survey, introduction and cultivation of aromatic, medical
and other economic plants. Development of physico-chemical
and analytical methods. Basic scientific research to
supplement the research and development work enumerated
above.
The Laboratory :
Provides technical advisory services, scientific and
industrial liaison, analytical and testing facilities and
training programmes. Assists State & central Governments in
formulation of plans and schemes as and when required.
AROMATIC & MEDICINAL PLANTS DIVISION:
The division undertakes plant survey of Orissa region for
sustainable utilisation of the natural plant resources and
introduction of industrially important aromatic, medicinal
and other economic plants and development of agrotechnology
for their commercial cultivation in Orissa region.
EXPERTISE
Plant resources survey : Floristic survey, Ethnobotany,
Survey of potential medicinal and other economic plants,
Phytochemical screening, Herbarium of the plants of Orissa.
Agrotechnology : Cultivation of aromatic, medicinal and
other economic plants (Palmarosa, Lemongrass, Citronella,
Patchouli, Ocimum, Cinnamon, Kewda, Ambrette, Cola nitida,
Vetiver, Catharanthus roseus, Rubber, Simarouba and fast
growing tree species).
CENTRAL PHYSICO CHEMICAL ANALYTICAL FACILITIES DIVISION
The Central Physico-Chemical and Analytical Facilities
(CPAF) Division devotes to constituent analysis,
characterisation and testing of raw material intermediate
and final products related to minerals, metallurgical and
other inorganic chemicals.Samples are received from other
divisions of the laboratory as well as from external
agencies like industries, academic and research
institutions.
Consultancy services pertaining to analysis and
characterisation involving classical and instrumental
methods are also provided.
OBJECTIVES
To carry out analysis and characterisation work for various
projects of the laboratory as project team members.
To carry out analysis, testing and characterisation work for
outside parties on payment basis.
To monitor environmental pollution in and around chemical,
metallurgical and mining industries.
To develop of analytical procedure to achieve better
precision and accuracy.
To participate in the national programmes on preparation of
standard reference materials.
To develop softwares for data processing in microprocessor
based instruments.
R & D EXPERTISE
Physico chemical charactisation of ores, minerals, and other
materials of Industrial importance.
Preconcentration followed by estimation of various elements
in complex materials upto sub-ppm level.
Quantitative & semiquantitative analysis of materials using
instrumental technique, such as, XRD, XRF, X-ray
Spectrometry and Thermal Analyser.
Development of software related to instrumental methods of
analysis.
FACILITIES
X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer for solid as well as liquid
phase analysis of various materials generated during
minerial processing and process metallurgy.
X-ray Difractometer for characterisation as well as limited
quantitative work with high temperature attachment for
studies on reaction kinetics, phase diagram etc.
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer for solution phase
analysis using flame as well as cold vapour methods.
UV/VIS Spectrophotometer for both analysis and
characterisation work.
Optical Emission Spectrometer for qualitative identification
of various metals and non-metals in a given material.
Thermal analyser for characterisation of solid materials.
Inductively coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer for
analysis of elements of high ionization potential.
Ion-selective system for specialized analysis of both
cations and anions.
Complete chemical analysis of water.
Auto-Titration unit.
Micro-Wave Digester for rapid dissolution of refractory
minerals.
DESIGN AND PROJECT ENGINEERING DIVISION
The Design & Projects Engineering Division undertake R&D
projects relating to material transportation, material
handling, pollution monitoring & control, energy audit,
energy conservation, development of alternate energy sources
and waste utilisation. In collaboration with other
divisions, it also carries out bench scale and pilot scale
studies for the preparation of techno-economic feasibility
report, basic design engineering package etc..
EXPERTISE
For undertaking R & D work in the area of hydraulic and
pneumatic transportation of ores and minerals.
Combustion facilities for undertaking R & D work in the area
of combustion of solid and liquid fuels.
Utilisation of wastes for energy recovery and appropriate
treatment.
Crushing & grinding facilities.
Corrosion & erosion evaluation facilities.
Rheological studies with Brookefield and Haake viscometers.
CAD system, electronic instruments, etc.
Treatment of domestic and industrial effluents for pollution
control and energy recovery.
Domestic Chulhas Testing Centre.
FOREST AND MARINE PRODUCTS DIVISION
The Forest and Marine Products Division is engaged in R&D
work on process development for organic chemicals, drugs and
intermediates from natural resources and through synthetic
routes and utilisation of agricultural, forest, marine and
industrial products, by-products and wastes.
R & D EXPERTISE
Process development of organic chemicals.
Preparation of feasibility reports.
Technical assistance to industries through trouble shooting
and consultancy.
Terrestrial and marine Natural Products Chemistry.
Organic Synthesis.
Analysis of organic compounds using modern analytical
instruments.
Bio-active substances from marine organisms.
Improvement of Kewda processing.
Utilisation of forest resources.
Synthesis of bio-active molecules.
Standardisation of ISM drugs.
Screening of plant extracts for pesticidal activity.
Marine pollution studies.
Processing of non-traditional of oil-seeds.
FACILITIES
Beckman DU 64 UV-Visible Spectrometer
JASCO 5300 FT-IR Spectrometer
Rudolff polarimeter
Varian 5020B HPLC
Camag TLC scanner
Parr Hydrogenators
Photochemical reactor
SAVANT SS3 system
Eyela Bio-reactor
Shimadzu GC-MS
INORGANIC CHEMICALS DIVISION
OBJECTIVE
To develop process know-how for preparation of inorganic
chemicals and materials from different natural and synthetic
sources.
To develop, characterise and evaluate the activities of
industrial and ecofriendly catalysts.
EXPERTISE
Preparation of refractory grade magnesia from marine
bittern.
Preparation of high pure graphite.
Inorganic chemicals and materials from ores, minerals and
chemicals.
Air pollution monitoring for acid precipitation, aerosol and
other gaseous acid precursors.
Budgeting of global warming gases like methane and nitrous
oxide from rice field and wetlands.
FACILITIES
Twin Reactor for laboratory and semi-pilot scale testing of
catalysts under high pressure and temperature with re-
circulation.
Pulse micro reactor for characterisation of catalysts.
Quantasorb for determination of surface characterisation and
pore size distribution studies at liquid nitrogen/low
temperature.
Ion Chromatograph for trace analysis of both anions and
cations.
Selective Ion meter for estimation of specific ions which
are otherwise difficult to estimate viz., flouride and
phosphate.
Gas Chromoatograph for determination of trace gases in the
atmosphere and on-line analysis of catalyst
characterisation.
UV- Visible Spectrophotometer for reflectance measurements
and chemical analysis.
Flame Photometer for estimation of sodium, potassium,
calcium and other alkali metals.
SPECIAL MATERIALS DIVISION
The Special Materials Division is engaged in synthesis of
new materials using advanced technologies. Many structural
and functional materials in bulk, powder as well as in the
form of coatings have been successfully prepared. In view of
the great scope and importance of plasma technology in
metallurgy and materials science, activities have been
initiated on development of plasma reactors for processing
of industrially important materials. Development of extended
Arc Plasma Reactors for melting & smelting, reactors for
inflight processing of power materials, plasma flash
evaporation and condensation and development of torch type
plasma reactors are some of the major achievements.
Thermal plasma reactors have been used for investigations
on smelting of ore fines, melting and alloying, dissociation
of minerals etc. The division is also equipped with a R.F.
glow discharge unit for the synthesis of advanced materials
like diamond and diamond like carbon.The division has
successfully completed projects in the area of high purity
Materials, specially cast iron (SG), industrially important
carbides (SiC, WC, TiC), Oxide(ZrO2) and ferro alloys. Also
carried out projects.
EXPERTISE
The division has expertise in the area of metallurgy and
materials science with emphasis on plasma metallurgy,
advance ceramics processing and composites development. The
manpower comprises exports from disciplines like metallurgy,
mechanical, chemical, physical and materials science.
Plasma synthesis of industrially important refractory
carbides such as fused WC, SiC, TiC, NbC, B4C etc.
Plasma processing of zircon and production of zirconia based
products.
Production of ferro alloys by plasma smelting of ores.
Plasma melting, refining and alloying of metals including
ladle treatment for removal of sulphur and phosphorus.
Plasma processing of ilmenite.
Preparation of fine, ultrafine and nanometric powers (SiC,
WC, AIN, Al2O3, ZrO2 etc.) by thermal plasma and other
advanced techniques.
Production of colloidal graphite and molybdenum disulphide
for tribological applications.
Preparation of transparent conducting SnO2 films, polymer,
DLC and metal nitride films.
Preparation of metal matrix particulate composites.
Pollution monitoring control and environment impact
assessment.
Utilization of chemical, metallurgical and mineral wastes
for preparation of value added products.
FACILITIES
35 and 50 kW DC extended arc plasma reactors for smelting
and melting studies
50 kW DC non-transferred extended arc plasma reactor for in-
flight processing
Reactor with 100 kW plasma torch for melting and smelting
studies
Plasma fiash evaporation unit for ultrafine power synthesis.
100 kW plasma melting unit for refractory carbides.
Laboratory model plasma CVD unit for deposition of films
Bridgman furnace, BCG-365 crystal growth unit for
directional solidification
Molybdenum SiC and Kanthal furnaces for high temperature
melting and heat treatment.
Vacuum coating unit with electron beam evaporator and flash
evaporator for deposition of thin films
Characterisation facilities like resistivity, dielectric and
magnetic properties
Physical testing equipments like Universal Testing Machine,
hardness testing machine, compression testing unit etc.
Laboratory model spray drier unit
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
High volume air sampler
High pressure, high temperature autoclave reactor
Facility for carrying out studies on synthesis of advanced
materials, plasma processing of materials and development of
high performance materials for component reliability.
Basic Research
Plasma synthesis of SiC from rice husk.
Vapour phase synthesis of ultrafine SiC and its derivatives.
RF plasma systhesis of conducting polymeric thin films.
RF plasma CVD of diamond and like carbon coatings.
Preparation of gem grade zirconia.
Preparation of WC composites from tungsten scrap.
Structure property relations in nanostructured materials.
Studies on preparation of building blocks from earth mud/red
mud.
Development of zircon based colour pigments.
Studies on structural, optical and electrical properties of
semiconducting films.
MINERALOGY AND METALLOGRAPHY DIVISION
Characterisation studies leading to determination of
mineral phases, textural pattern, liberation size including
mineral chemistry and metallography are pre-requisites for
effective beneficiation and metal extraction from low and
off-grades ores.
The aims and objectives of Mineralogy and Metallography
Division is to undertake such type of characterisation
studies and support in process development. This division
has development capabilities and has been catering in this
field to the needs to the mineral process engineers and
metallurgists of the labolatory as well as other Government,
private and public sector agencies.
EXPERTISE
Characterisation of ores, minerals and concentrates
including determination of their distribution, shape and
size.
Reflectivity & fluorescence property measurements of
minerals.
Melting behaviour of materials.
Morphological study of ores & metals and their analysis in
micron areas.
Mineralogical and geochemical evaluation of ore deposits.
Environmental assessment and monitoring.
MAJOR FACILITIES
High resolution ore and petrological microscopes with
photomicrographic attachments.
Metallurgical microscope with hot stage attachments and
image analysis system for determination of shape, size and
statistical distribution pattern of different materials.
Microscope photometer with fluorescence attachment to
measure the reflectivity and fluorescence property of
minerals
Heating Microscope to find out the melting behaviour of
materials
Stereomicroscope
Microhardness tester, Isodynamic Separator, Refractometer
Scanning electron microscope with WDS, EDS attachment (For
morphological study of ores and metals and analysis in
micron areas)
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer & Petroleum Hydro Carbon
Analyser.
