Reasearch Activities

Dr. Devotta has done pioneering research in the field of energy and environment. He has contributed for over a few decades to the issues on environmental protection. He has been deeply involved in the issue of CFC and HCFC replacement both nationally and internationally, particularly for the refrigeration sector. He was actively involved in the process engineering and development of environment friendly chemical and process technologies. He is widely consulted by Indian and International agencies and industries in the area of chemical and environmental management. He was also actively involved in the Montreal Protocol and Climate Change, joint study under UNEP and IPCC. 

As the Head of Process Development Division at NCL, Dr. Devotta was actively involved in the process engineering design, simulation and development of environment friendly chemical and process technologies, including ‘Use of eco-friendly catalysts’ and Reactive distillation; Better raw material utilisation and solvent recovery; Effluent treatment for pulp and paper mills and distilleries; Hazardous waste identification, characterization and minimization; Fuel Cell power pack; Solid state polymerisation; Biodegradable polymers and so on. He was involved in a few technology transfers in NCL, Pune and was awarded the CSIR Technology Awards for his contributions.

As the Chairman, DST-NCSP, Dr. Devotta introduced many innovative projects on Carbon Capture Sequestration and Utilisation in India through DST.

Since 1990, even before India became a party to the Montreal Protocol, Dr. Devotta was actively involved in the search for alternatives to CFCs with fundamental and applied research. He was one of the pioneering members in the formulation of GOI’s policy on Montreal Protocol by the Ministry of Environment & Forests through India’s Country Programme, CSIR Task Force, MOEF Task Force, MOEF Ozone Cell Steering committee and Monitoring Committee. 

Dr. Devotta played a key role in the phase out CFCs in India to comply with the Montreal Protocol, including R&D for using HFC-134a, Policy formulations to MOEF, Technical and Financial Audit of CFC production in India on behalf of MOEF/UNDP. He actively involved in an Indo-Swiss Ecofrig Project (SDC Sponsored) to phase out CFC in Refrigerator plants in India using HC refrigerant and Cyclopentane as the blowing agent. Dr. Devotta was and is still safeguarding the interests of India and other developing countries in various National and International forums. 

Dr. Devotta is actively participating, since 1992, in the UNEP Refrigeration Technical Option Committee (RTOC) and in Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP- Task Forces), since 2004, under the Montreal Protocol for various reports. 

Dr. Devotta collaborates with many national and international industries and agencies for R&D on a variety of problems in this area, particularly on Ozone friendly and Climate friendly technologies

Dr. Devotta combined his role under Montreal Protocol towards climate change mitigation. He was instrumental in introducing ultra-low GWP hydrocarbon-based refrigerants for and air-conditioners as well as HC blown PUF in India. He trained research students and technicians for safe use of hydrocarbon refrigerants. He also contributed to promote not-in-kind technologies for AC&R sectors.

Dr. Devotta, with his technical and leadership skills, has collaborated with many national and international industries and agencies for R&D on a variety problems and areas. Dr. Devotta has been active consultant for a variety of R&D areas to many prestigious national and international companies and agencies including Alcoa (USA), EU, GE, GIZ, Infras (Zurich), MOEFCC, SDC, UNDP, UNEP and World Bank.