Amalesh Sirkar – Interfacial Phenomena in Liquid | Professor at Haldia Institute of Technology, India
Dr. Amalesh Sirkar is a distinguished figure in chemical engineering with a career that spans over five decades, marked by groundbreaking research, teaching excellence, and significant industry contributions. He has served in pivotal roles in academia, including as Professor and Head of the Chemical Engineering Department, as well as Dean of the Chemical Engineering, Food, and Biotechnology Departments at Haldia Institute of Technology (HIT), West Bengal, India. With extensive international experience, Dr. Sirkar’s career reflects his commitment to advancing chemical engineering through his work in process design, interfacial phenomena, and biochemical engineering. Presently, he offers consultancy services to various Indian companies, continuing to contribute his expertise to the field.
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Education
Dr. Sirkar’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (B. Che) from Jadavpur University in 1965, followed by a Master of Technology (M.Tech) from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur in 1967. His pursuit of knowledge led him to the United States, where he completed a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Kansas in 1973. His education laid a strong foundation in chemical process design and kinetics, areas in which he would later make significant academic and industrial contributions.
Experience
Dr. Sirkar’s professional experience is remarkably diverse, encompassing both academic and industrial roles. He spent 27 years in industry, gaining expertise in sectors such as coal, petroleum, fats and oils, and wastewater treatment. Notable roles included positions as a process engineer with S.D. Plants, Hydrocarbon Research Inc., and Badger America in the United States, as well as roles in Exide Industries and Paharpur Cooling Towers in India. In academia, Dr. Sirkar’s tenure at HIT saw him mentor numerous students, initiate five industrial consultancy projects, and facilitate important collaborations between academia and industry. His total teaching experience spans over 20 years, including positions at the University of Kansas and Calcutta University, where he shared his industry-acquired insights with students and budding researchers.
Research Interests
Dr. Sirkar’s research interests encompass interfacial phenomena in liquid-liquid systems, kinetics and reactor design, and biochemical engineering, particularly renewable energy. His notable discovery of the Unidirectional Ejection Phenomena in liquid-liquid systems at the University of Kansas has been instrumental in furthering understanding in this field. His focus extends to gas-gas mixing, heat transfer, fluidization, and renewable hydrogen energy, areas that have direct implications for sustainable and environmentally-friendly technological advancements. His research contributions continue to resonate across both academic and industrial domains, particularly in optimizing processes and understanding complex chemical interactions.
Awards
Dr. Sirkar’s career achievements have been recognized through numerous awards and honors. He was awarded a Teaching Assistantship during his Ph.D. studies at the University of Kansas. His work at Hydrocarbon Research Inc. earned him recognition from the Vice-President for a patent on fluidization that was pivotal in maintaining the company’s technological leadership. In India, he received financial assistance from the National Research Development Corporation for patents related to ethanol production and finned heat exchangers. Additional accolades include the Institution of Engineers (India) Certificate of Merit for his publication on ethanol, and two IIChE Awards for second-best paper in the Indian Chemical Engineer Journal, published by Taylor & Francis, for his work on ethanol. He was recently recognized with the 2021 Best Researcher Award by VD Good Professional Association.
Selected Publications
Sirkar, A., Walas, S. M. “Mass transfer in presence of unconfined interfacial convection.” Chemical Engineering Science, 1979, pp. 741-742.
Sirkar, A., Sahu, S.J., Pathak, C. “Design of Modified Countercurrent Liquid-Liquid Spray Column for Transfer of Surface Active Solutes.” Indian Chemical Engineer, Taylor & Francis, 2011, pp. 220-238.
Sirkar, A., Sahu, S.J. “Detailed Explanations for Interfacial Phenomena in Liquid-Liquid Systems.” Chemical Engineering Communications, 2021, DOI: 10.1080/00986445.2021.1969553.
Sirkar, A., Ghosh, P., Bhattacharjee, S. “Detailed Mass Transfer Studies of a Ternary System in Presence of Unidirectional Ejections.” Chemical Engineering Communications, 2022, DOI: 1080/00986445.2022.2111554.
Das, R., Sahu, S.J., Chowdhury, S., Sirkar, A. “Experimental Study and Modeling of Ethanol Production from Banana Peels.” Journal of the Institution of Engineers (India), 2008, pp. 4-10.
Conclusion
Dr. Amalesh Sirkar’s contributions to chemical engineering through academia, industry, and research make him a standout candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work has not only advanced theoretical knowledge but also provided practical solutions to real-world challenges. His expertise in interfacial phenomena, process design, and renewable energy has established him as a respected leader in chemical engineering. Dr. Sirkar’s dedication to his field, as evidenced by his extensive research output and the numerous accolades he has received, underscores his enduring commitment to innovation and mentorship, qualities that make him truly deserving of this award.