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

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 : 

Google Scholar 

Scopus

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

Prof. Dr. Arash Ghorbani-Choghamarani | Catalysis | Best Faculty Award

Prof. Dr. Arash Ghorbani-Choghamarani | Catalysis | Best Faculty Award

Prof. Dr. Arash Ghorbani-Choghamarani , Catalysis , Faculty at Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran

Dr. Arash Ghorbani-Choghamarani,  is a distinguished Professor of Organic Chemistry currently serving at Bu-Ali Sina University. With a career spanning over two decades, he has made significant contributions to the field of synthetic organic chemistry. Dr. Ghorbani-Choghamarani earned his Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc. degrees from Bu-Ali Sina University, demonstrating consistent academic excellence. He further broadened his research experience as a visiting graduate student and professor at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Known for his innovative work on green chemistry and heterogeneous catalytic systems, he has authored numerous publications in reputed international journals. His dedication to research and teaching has earned him multiple awards and recognition at institutional and provincial levels. A leading name in Iranian academia, Dr. Ghorbani-Choghamarani continues to inspire through his impactful research, dynamic teaching, and exemplary scholarly output in the field of organic synthesis.

Professional Profile :         

Scopus 

Summary of Suitability for Award:

Prof. Arash Ghorbani-Choghamarani is a seasoned academic and researcher in Organic Chemistry, currently serving as a Professor at Bu-Ali Sina University. His distinguished career spans over two decades, with significant contributions in research, teaching, and academic leadership. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and a visiting research stint in Canada, underlining his international exposure and collaboration. He has published numerous impactful research papers in peer-reviewed journals, particularly in the fields of green chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, and N-nitrosation reactions, reflecting his sustained contribution to cutting-edge research. Prof. Ghorbani has received over 18 prestigious awards, including recognitions at the university, faculty, and provincial levels, and the title of International Scientist by ISI (ESI). Prof. Arash Ghorbani-Choghamarani exemplifies the ideal candidate for the “Best Faculty Award” due to his exceptional academic achievements, innovative research contributions, and outstanding commitment to education. His consistent recognition by academic and scientific bodies over the years underscores his excellence, dedication, and leadership in the field. He not only meets but exceeds the criteria typically expected for such an honor.

🎓Education:

Dr. Ghorbani-Choghamarani began his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Applied Chemistry (2001) from Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran. He pursued his passion for organic chemistry further by completing his M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry (2003) from the same university, where he was recognized as a distinguished student. He later earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 2007, again from Bu-Ali Sina University. As part of his doctoral training, he was a Visiting Graduate Student at The University of Western Ontario, Canada (2005–2006), where he gained international exposure and advanced laboratory experience. His educational background is rooted in rigorous research and innovative synthesis techniques, particularly in green and heterogeneous organic chemistry. His early dedication to academic excellence laid a strong foundation for a prolific career in both teaching and research, with his work receiving accolades for its scientific rigor and practical application.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. Ghorbani-Choghamarani’s teaching and research career began in 2007 when he joined Ilam University as an Assistant Professor, advancing to Associate Professor in 2013 and Professor in 2017. He served Ilam University until 2020, during which time he significantly enhanced the university’s research output and mentored numerous students. He later joined Bu-Ali Sina University in September 2020, where he continues to serve as a Professor of Organic Chemistry. In 2018, he was a Visiting Professor at the University of Western Ontario, further expanding his international collaborations and exposure. His research expertise lies in green chemistry, catalytic systems, and sustainable synthetic methodologies. Dr. Ghorbani-Choghamarani is known for his dedication to fostering academic excellence through teaching, mentoring, and publishing high-quality research. His progressive career path demonstrates his commitment to advancing science and education in Iran and on the international stage.

🏅Awards: 

Dr. Arash Ghorbani-Choghamarani has been the recipient of numerous prestigious honors recognizing his academic and research excellence. He was a Distinguished Student at Bu-Ali Sina University multiple times (2000–2006) and received commendations such as the Kharazmi Symposium Appreciation Letter (2001). His excellence in research earned him several Distinguished Researcher titles at Ilam University and the Province of Ilam between 2008–2018. He was also acknowledged as the Distinguished Teacher of Ilam University (2009) and was named an International Scientist by ISI (ESI) in December 2017. These honors reflect his impactful scholarly contributions and his leadership in academic circles. His continuous recognition at faculty, university, and provincial levels signifies not only his scientific achievements but also his influence as an educator and innovator in the field of organic chemistry.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Ghorbani-Choghamarani’s research primarily focuses on green chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, and innovative organic synthesis. He is particularly known for his work on N-nitrosation of amines, oxidation of 1,4-dihydropyridines, and the design of efficient, recyclable catalytic systems under mild conditions. His research integrates principles of sustainability and eco-friendliness, contributing to the advancement of clean synthesis methods. He has utilized diverse reagents and support systems like silica chloride, ZrCl₄/NaNO₂, silica-modified sulfuric acid, and trichloroisocyanuric acid in the development of novel chemical transformations. His studies have opened new pathways in heterogeneous reaction systems, often under solvent-free or mild conditions, making them industrially relevant. Dr. Ghorbani-Choghamarani’s innovative work has earned international acclaim, and he continues to publish extensively, mentor young scientists, and contribute to the global research community in organic and green chemistry.

Publication Top Notes:

1. Title: ZnFe₂O₄@SiO₂@n-pr@xanthine-Pr: as a highly versatile catalyst for the preparation of 1H-tetrazoles and sulfoxidation reaction

2. Title: A new Schiff-base-N-propylhydrazine-1-carbothioamide complex of copper on boehmite nanoparticles as a recoverable catalyst in the homoselective synthesis of 5-substituted tetrazoles

Citations: 1

3. Title: ZnFe₂O₄@SiO₂@L-lysine@SO₃H: preparation, characterization, and its catalytic applications in the oxidation of sulfides and synthesis of Bis(pyrazolyl)methanes

Citations: 2

4. Title: Catalytic performance of hexagonal boron Nitride@APTS-SO₃H as heterogeneous nanocatalyst for biodiesel production

Citations: 2

5. Title: One-pot conversion of 2-ethoxycarbonyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazine-4-ones to tetracyclic quinazoline-6,12-diones in the presence of a Pd complex nanocatalyst

Citations: 1

6. Title: The bifunctional and reusable catalyst of cerium/L-arginine on mesoporous KIT-6 in the chemoselective oxidation of sulfides and homoselective synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans

Citations: 4

7. Title: Magnetically recoverable Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@SBA-3@2-ATP-Cu: an improved catalyst for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles

Citations: 2

8. Title: FDU-12@AGA-Pd: A green, novel, recyclable, and highly versatile mesoporous catalyst for C–C coupling reaction and synthesis of tetrazoles

Citations: 2

9. Title: Surfactant-free synthesis of mesoporous silica materials (Using tetraethylorthosilicate and oleic acid): Preparation, characterization, and catalytic applications

Citations: 1

10. Title: Immobilization of Schiff base-Pd complex in mesoporous silica KIT-6 channels: A novel, green, recyclable, and highly versatile mesoporous catalyst for the carbon-carbon cross-coupling reaction

Citations: 8