Brahmdevdada Mane Institute Of Technology, Solapur.

1. NISARGARUNA BIOGAS PLANT

   Waste disposal is one of the major problems being faced by all nations across the world. One of the laws probably most important for the conservation of nature is law of conservation. According to this law waste is not a problem but a part of this cycle. 
   The daily per capita solid waste generated in our country ranges from about 300 g to 500 g. If we carefully analyse this waste we will realise that majority of it is biodegradable. Waste like glass, metals and paper would be recyclable. The biodegradable waste if handled properly would maintain the natural balance of essential elements and thereby promote more harvests from nature.

   Disposal of biodegradable waste can be achieved by several means like incineration, landfills, dumping in the sea or other water bodies, composting etc. These methods have their own hazards. Incineration can lead to respiratory illnesses. Moreover, it may lead to disruption of biogeochemical cycles of several elements and will have long term effects on biosphere. Vermiculture has been used in recent past in urban area, however, it has limitations of space. One of the economic ways would be to raise community biogas plants based on biodegradable waste.

2. FOLDABLE SOLAR DRYER

Foldable solar dryer is a rectangular box with triangular top. The solar radiations are absorbed by black mat metallic outer surface of dryer. Heat is absorbed by inside air through conducting metallic plates. The geometry of the solar dryer ensures that the resultant hot air moves up and heats the product evenly and dries it by evaporating trapped moisture. Finally, this air escapes through vent at top. The dryer is of modular type and can be easily dismantled into a thin rectangular box for easy transportation & storage.

Applications
The foldable solar dryer in the capacity of 10, 25 & 100 kg is used for the preparation of raisin, drying of grapes, onion, mango pulp, green leafy vegetables, Amla, jack fruit pulp, ginger, green pepper, herbal medicines etc. More than 50 varieties have been dried using these dryers at various AKRUTIs.

Advantages

• By use of this dryer, the drying process is made 5 times faster than normal sun drying procedure resulting in substantial weight reduction.
• 100 kg of grapes can be converted to 25 kg of raisin.

• It has no adverse effect to environment.

3. SOLAR DRYER

Solar power as a source of renewable energy is very useful in drying food items. Many places in rural India as well as urban India do not get sufficient power supply throughout the day. In such places solar dryer can be useful device for drying food items hygienically. Apart from solar radiation and natural convection of air currents in the dryer one more feature has been added to improve the drying of fruits and vegetables. The feature is based on simultaneous generation of electricity by a solar panel and using it for creating an induced draft of air by fans installed in the dryer. These installed exhaust fans are run to force moisture laden air outside the dryer. This dryer achieves sufficiently high chamber temperature and dries product in accelerated manner.

APPLICATIONS

• The solar dryer in the capacity of 25 kg fresh food per batch is used for drying tomato slices, brinjal slices, potato wafers, green chilies, apricot pieces, mango slices, grapes, fish etc.
• Value addition on non-marketable produce by farmer/rural techno-preneur in rural sector itself.

ADVANTAGES

• By use of this dryer, the drying process is made 1.5 times faster than normal sun drying procedure resulting in substantial weight reduction.
• It has no adverse effect on environment.
• Product is hygienic.

4.  SOIL ORGANIC CARBON DETECTION AND TESTING KIT

Typical soil generally contains at least 45% inorganic components, 5% organic components, 25% air and 25% water on average basis. Organic carbon plays major role in biological activity and fertility of the soil. In different parts of the world positive correlation between the amounts of organic carbon and soil fertility has been proved. Indian soil ecosystems are very dynamic due to its sub-tropical climate, resulting rapid degradation of organic matter in these soils. Soil organic carbon content up to 1.5-2.0 % increases soil porosity that supports growth of the soil microorganisms.  This increases availability of different nutrients to the plant, resulting in better crop yield. Thus organic carbon is a true indicator of the soil health. Also it is true that soils with sufficient organic carbon in it definitely contains other major elements like Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium in more available form.
There are difficulties to analyse organic carbon of soil regularly due to specific reagents, skills and proper setup that are available only at approved laboratories. As these laboratories are in low number farmers are unable to monitor soil organic carbon on regular basis. Soil Organic Carbon Detection and Testing Kit developed at BARC, ideally a quick, accurate and field test will be able to guide the farmer for this purpose.

 Advantages of the Kit

Soil Organic Carbon Detection and Testing Kit has following features:

• It is user friendly as any farmer himself check the percentage of organic carbon in his field.
• It gives quick and reliable results.
• Evaluates the impact of organic carbon amendments supplemented                periodically.
• It gives idea of amount of organic manure additions.
• It is economical and time saving.

 Applications

This kit would be useful to great extent in agriculture sector

• Direct use by the farmer for organic carbon detection of soil before sowing of the crop and at the harvest of the crop.
• To take the corrective measures to maintain the soil organic carbon at optimum levels and evaluating the effectiveness of the organic manure supplements.
• Agriculture universities & soil-testing labs for research purpose.