Dr. Satyen Kumar Das | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Chemistry Awards

Dr. Satyen Kumar Das | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Satyen Kumar Das , Chemical Engineering ,  Chief General Manager at Indian Oil Corporation Limited, R&D Centre , India

Dr. Satyen Kumar Das is a distinguished Chemical Engineer and Chief General Manager at Indian Oil R&D Centre, leading the Refining Technology domain. Since joining Indian Oil in 1995, he has contributed nearly 30 years of cutting-edge research, commercialization, and troubleshooting in petroleum refining, sustainability, and circularity. He is recognized for pioneering indigenous technologies such as Ind-Coker, Needle Coke, INDMAX, and INDEcoP2F, significantly contributing to India’s energy innovation and self-reliance. With over 200 patents (144 granted globally) and 94 technical publications, his work bridges research and industry application seamlessly. Dr. Das is known for driving initiatives in crude-to-chemicals, bio-refinery, waste-to-energy, and CO₂ valorization. He has led the successful deployment of several commercial-scale processes and continues to champion green and circular technologies for a sustainable energy future. His leadership and innovation have earned him several prestigious national accolades, making him a key figure in India’s refining research landscape.

Professional Profile : 

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Summary of Suitability for Award:

Dr. Satyen Kumar Das is a seasoned chemical engineering researcher with nearly three decades of experience at the forefront of petroleum refining technology. As Chief General Manager at Indian Oil R&D, he has spearheaded groundbreaking innovations in residue upgradation, crude-to-chemicals, plastic circularity, and CO₂ valorization—making significant contributions toward energy sustainability and circular economy. He has led the commercialization of six major technologies and supported the operation of four commercial plants. With 210 patents filed (144 granted across multiple jurisdictions including the US, Europe, and India) and 94 journal and conference publications, his research has had both academic impact and industrial translation. Dr. Das has been honored by multiple national bodies, including the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (GoI), DSIR, and AIMA, for innovations like INDMAX, Needle Coke Technology, and IV- IZOMaxCATR. His work bridges fundamental research, applied technology, and commercial deployment, positioning him as a pioneer in refining technology and sustainable process development. Dr. Satyen Kumar Das exemplifies the qualities sought for the “Best Researcher Award”—originality, industrial relevance, academic excellence, and societal impact. His contributions have not only advanced the frontiers of petroleum research but also addressed critical environmental and sustainability challenges. He is an exceptional candidate for this prestigious recognition.

🎓Education:

Dr. Satyen Kumar Das holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where he specialized in advanced refining technologies. He earned his M.Tech in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur, where he developed a strong foundation in process design, catalysis, and fuel technology. He began his academic journey with a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from Calcutta University, where he demonstrated academic brilliance and curiosity for applied research. His academic path through premier institutions helped him cultivate expertise across petroleum refining, catalysis, process engineering, and materials chemistry. The rigorous and interdisciplinary training he received has been instrumental in his successful translation of R&D projects into commercial technologies. His educational background also laid the groundwork for his future role as a technocrat and innovator in India’s petroleum industry. His continuous learning mindset remains central to his leadership at Indian Oil R&D Centre.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. Das began his professional journey at Indian Oil’s R&D Centre in 1995. Over nearly three decades, he has grown to become Chief General Manager, heading Refining Technology. From 1995 to 2013, he played a pivotal role in developing processes such as INDMAX, INDALIN, DIST-Extra, and MAXLIN. His technical services and troubleshooting expertise in FCC/RFCC/INDMAX made a significant impact on operational efficiency. From 2014 onward, he has been spearheading key initiatives including Ind-Coker, Crude to Chemicals, Needle Coke, and INDEcoP2F (plastic circularity). He has led technology commercialization efforts, driving innovations like MMO catalysts, Octamax, and IV- IZOMaxCATR. Dr. Das has overseen deployment of over 4 commercial technologies and filed over 210 patents, marking his influence on both national and global energy platforms. His forward-looking leadership also covers futuristic domains such as bio-refinery, CO₂ valorization, and advanced carbon materials, ensuring India’s alignment with energy sustainability goals.

🏅Awards: 

Dr. Satyen Kumar Das has been honored with numerous prestigious awards for his innovation in petroleum refining. He received the NPMP Award for INDMAX and Needle Coke technologies 🧪, and the DSIR Award for INDMAX commercialization 🛢️. The AIMA Award recognized his breakthroughs in R&D and AI integration 🤖. His energy-efficient, eco-friendly technologies, including Anode Grade Coker and IV- IZOMaxCATR, won accolades from the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MOP&NG) . Notable recognitions include the Innovation Awards (2019-20, 2022-23, 2023-24) for technologies such as Delayed Coker and INDEcoP2F ♻️. In 2025, he was also awarded the JEWEL OF INDIA 🏅 for his outstanding contributions to petroleum science. These honors are a testament to his commitment to technological excellence, sustainability, and Atmanirbhar Bharat in the energy domain. His award-winning innovations have significantly strengthened India’s refining and circular economy capabilities.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Das’s research centers on refining technology innovation, petroleum residue upgrading, and sustainable energy solutions. He focuses on developing high-efficiency catalytic processes such as INDMAX and Ind-Coker 🛢️. His work emphasizes crude-to-chemicals conversion, light olefins production, and high-octane fuel blending components like Octamax and AmyleMax 🔄. A pioneer in circular economy research, he spearheads INDEcoP2F for plastic-to-fuel transformation ♻️. He also works on CO₂ valorization, specialty chemical synthesis, and advanced carbon materials 🌱. With a forward-looking vision, Dr. Das has launched multiple initiatives in bio-refinery, waste-to-energy, and indigenous catalyst development 🔋. His research integrates sustainability, process intensification, and commercial viability, shaping India’s roadmap towards energy security and carbon neutrality. Through 210+ patents and 94 publications, he bridges academic research and industrial application, ensuring innovation meets implementation. His focus continues to align with global trends in green refining and circular chemical engineering.

Publication Top Notes:

1. Multi stage selective catalytic cracking process and a system for producing high yield of middle distillate products from heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks

Authors: D Bhattacharyya, AK Das, AV Karthikeyani, SK Das, P Kasliwal, M Santra, …

Citations: 65

2. CO-hydrogenation of syngas to fuel using silica supported Fe–Cu–K catalysts: Effects of active components

Authors: SK Das, S Majhi, P Mohanty, KK Pant

Citations: 42

3. Process for catalytic cracking of petroleum based feed stocks

Authors: S Mandal, S Kumarshah, D Bhattacharyya, VLN Murthy, AK Das, S Singh, …

Citations: 41

4. CO-hydrogenation over silica supported iron based catalysts: Influence of potassium loading

Authors: SK Das, P Mohanty, S Majhi, KK Pant

Citations: 40

5. Upgradation of undesirable olefinic liquid hydrocarbon streams

Authors: AK Das, S Mandal, S Ghosh, D Bhattacharyya, GS Mishra, JK Dixit, …

Citations: 38

6. Stabilized dual zeolite single particle catalyst composition and a process thereof

Authors: MP Kuvettu, SK Ray, G Ravichandran, V Krishnan, SK Das, S Makhija, …

Citations: 31

7. Molecular-level structural insight into clarified oil by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy: estimation of hydrocarbon types and average structural parameters

Authors: S Mondal, A Yadav, R Kumar, V Bansal, SK Das, J Christopher, GS Kapur

Citations: 29

8. Process for simultaneous cracking of lighter and heavier hydrocarbon feed and system for the same

Authors: S Subramani, D Bhattacharyya, R Manna, SK Das, T Sarkar, S Rajagopal

Citations: 19

9. Dissecting the cohesiveness among aromatics, saturates and structural features of aromatics towards needle coke generation in DCU from clarified oil by analytical techniques

Authors: S Mondal, A Yadav, V Pandey, V Sugumaran, R Bagai, R Kumar, …

Citations: 13

10. Process for simultaneous cracking of lighter and heavier hydrocarbon feed and system for the same

Authors: S Subramani, D Bhattacharyya, R Manna, SK Das, T Sarkar, S Rajagopal

Citations: 13

11. Process for the production of needle coke

Authors: D Bhattacharyya, SV Kumaran, BVHP Gupta, P Kumar, AK Das, G Saidulu, …

Citations: 8

12. Delayed coker drum and method of operating thereof

Authors: THVD Prasad, PR Pradeep, SK Das, JK Dixit, G Thapa, D Bhattacharyya, …

Citations: 7

Mrs. Ralitsa Uzunova | Physical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Chemistry Awards

Mrs. Ralitsa Uzunova | Physical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Ralitsa Uzunova | Physical Chemistry | PhD student/ Researcher at Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, sofia university, Bulgaria

Ralitsa Ivanova Uzunova is a dedicated Ph.D. student and researcher in the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” With a strong background in chemistry, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in “Chemistry” and a Master’s in “Medicinal Chemistry.” Over the past seven years, she has actively contributed to various research projects, particularly in surfactant solutions, interfacial tension, and adsorption studies. She has participated in 13 national and international conferences, delivering nine oral presentations, including at the prestigious 37th European Colloid and Interface Society Conference and the 19th European Student Colloid Conference. Her collaborations extend to industry giants like Unilever and S.C. Johnson, as well as the National Science Fund of Bulgaria. Ralitsa’s work focuses on understanding volatile molecules’ adsorption-desorption mechanisms, which are crucial in cosmetics, household products, and pharmaceuticals. Her dedication to research has led to two indexed journal publications, benefiting the broader scientific community.

Professional Profile :         

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Summary of Suitability for Award:

Ralitsa Ivanova Uzunova is an emerging researcher in the field of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, specializing in surface chemistry, interfacial tension, and adsorption phenomena. With a strong academic background (Bachelor’s in Chemistry and Master’s in Medicinal Chemistry), she has gained seven years of research experience at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” Her participation in eight research projects, two indexed journal publications, and four industry collaborations with Unilever, S. C. Johnson, and others demonstrate her contribution to applied research. Additionally, her active engagement in national and international conferences (including the 37th European Colloid and Interface Society Conference) highlights her role in scientific dissemination. Her work on volatile molecules used in cosmetics and household formulations has both theoretical significance and industrial application, aligning well with the criteria for excellence in research. Ralitsa Ivanova Uzunova is a deserving candidate for the “Best Researcher Award”, given her multifaceted contributions to chemical engineering research, industrial collaborations, and scientific impact. Her interdisciplinary expertise in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and surface chemistry showcases her ability to bridge academia and industry, making her an ideal contender for this prestigious recognition.

🎓Education:

Ralitsa Ivanova Uzunova pursued her higher education in chemistry with a keen interest in interdisciplinary applications. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski,” where she built a strong foundation in chemical principles and analytical techniques. Following her undergraduate studies, she completed a Master’s degree in Medicinal Chemistry, focusing on bioactive compounds and their applications in pharmaceuticals and healthcare. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, specializing in surfactant solutions, interfacial tension, and adsorption phenomena. Throughout her academic journey, she has been actively engaged in research and has collaborated with industrial partners on multiple projects. Her educational background has equipped her with expertise in static and dynamic interfacial tension, cleaning mechanisms, and volatile molecule adsorption-desorption processes. Ralitsa continues to expand her knowledge through research collaborations, conference presentations, and scientific publications.

🏢Work Experience:

Ralitsa Ivanova Uzunova has amassed seven years of experience in research and academia while working in the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering at Sofia University. Her expertise spans static and dynamic interfacial tension, surfactant solutions, and oil drop attachment/detachment studies. She has contributed to eight research projects, collaborating with industry leaders such as Unilever, S. C. Johnson, and the National Science Fund of Bulgaria. Additionally, she has been involved in four consultancy/industry projects, applying her knowledge to real-world challenges in cosmetics and household chemistry. Ralitsa has actively participated in 13 national and international conferences, delivering nine oral presentations, including at prestigious European colloid conferences. Her research has resulted in two indexed journal publications, contributing valuable insights into volatile molecule interactions. Her work is instrumental in developing formulations for personal care and industrial applications, bridging the gap between scientific research and industrial needs.

🏅Awards: 

Ralitsa Ivanova Uzunova has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to the field of chemical and pharmaceutical engineering. She has received multiple accolades for her oral presentations at international conferences, particularly at the 37th European Colloid and Interface Society Conference and the 19th European Student Colloid Conference, where her work on interfacial tension and surfactant solutions was highly appreciated. As a member of the Bulgarian Association of Cosmetologists, she has contributed significantly to research in cosmetics and household chemistry. Her research collaborations with Unilever and S. C. Johnson have also been acknowledged for their impact on industrial formulations. Additionally, her involvement in National Science Fund of Bulgaria projects has played a crucial role in advancing knowledge in volatile molecule adsorption-desorption mechanisms. Ralitsa is currently nominated for the Best Researcher Award, recognizing her dedication to scientific excellence and innovation in colloid and interface science.

🔬Research Focus:

Ralitsa Ivanova Uzunova’s research focuses on static and dynamic interfacial tension, surfactant solutions, and volatile molecule interactions. Her work explores the bulk properties and adsorption behaviors of surfactants, which are crucial in cleaning, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications. She investigates the attachment/detachment of oil drops, enhancing formulations for detergents, skincare, and industrial surfactants. A significant part of her research delves into volatile molecule adsorption and desorption at interfaces, examining compounds like menthol, geraniol, linalool, benzyl acetate, and citronellol, widely used in personal care products and medicine. Her studies provide critical insights into optimizing formulations for enhanced stability, efficiency, and sustainability. Through collaborations with Unilever, S. C. Johnson, and the National Science Fund of Bulgaria, she applies her findings to industrial applications. Her work contributes to improving product performance, environmental sustainability, and the development of novel surfactant-based systems, making significant advancements in colloid and interface science.

Publication Top Notes:

“Quantitative characterization of the mass transfer of volatile amphiphiles between vapor and aqueous phases: Experiment vs theory”​

“Kinetics of transfer of volatile amphiphiles (fragrances) from vapors to aqueous drops and vice versa: Interplay of diffusion and barrier mechanisms”