Dr. Rabindra Kangsha Banik is working as postdoctoral fellow at ICT Mumbai, India on green hydrogen production from biomass via gasification with carbon capture. He has completed his PhD from IIT Guwahati, India on the thesis entitled “Design, development and performance investigation of a dual fluidized bed gasifier for co-gasification of torrefied biomass and desulphurized North-East Indian coal”. He is a Chemical Engineer with a master degree in Energy Technology. So far, Dr. Banik has published seven SCI journal, four conference proceedings and four book chapters. His area of research is of interdisciplinary nature, focusing on green hydrogen, fluidized bed gasification, biomass conversion, torrefaction, pyrolysis, carbon capture, solar energy.
EDUCATION
PhD, MTech (Energy Technology), BE (Chemical Engineering)
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Chemical Engineering, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Fuel Technology, Waste Management and Disposal
MFIX-DEM simulation of gas-solid flow dynamics in a dual fluidized bed system R K Banik, H J Das Iop Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science, 2024 To overcome the operational difficulties associated with bubbling and circulating fluidized bed gasifiers, a new gasification technology termed dual fluidized bed gasification (DFBG) has evolved. To strengthen the understanding of the gasification and combustion processes in the DFBG system, a thorough analysis of bed hydrodynamics is of paramount importance. Furthermore, the complexity of the hydrodynamics escalates while incorporating diverse fuels like biomass and coal, along with bed materials fluidized in a single reactor due to its nonlinearity and transience. As a result, the study of hydrodynamics in such a system is indispensable. The present study focuses on the discrete element model (DEM) simulation of the bed hydrodynamic behaviour within the gasifier of a DFBG system. The simulation was conducted using Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges (MFiX) software. The influence of superficial velocity on the number of particles in a gasifier was analyzed using the 2-D discrete element model (DEM). In this numerical investigation, transient variation of pressure drop, axial and radial solid volume fraction, and particle velocity was evaluated, and the data were analyzed using the ParaView software. The simulation results of the gasifier indicated an increase in the bed pressure drop with the rise in inlet air velocity. The effective height of solid volume fraction also increased with the surge in superficial velocity. The solid velocity profile and streamlines were also investigated to understand its variation pertaining to the location within the fluidized bed.
MFiX-TFM simulation of hydrodynamics of a dual fluidized bed system Rabindra Kangsha Banik, Hirakh Jyoti Das, Pankaj Kalita Particulate Science and Technology, 2024 The abundance and replenishable nature of biomass make it a suitable fuel for power generation. Among the various technologies, dual fluidized bed gasification (DFBG) is a suitable technology to generate high-quality syngas from biomass. However, the complexity of hydrodynamics and heat transfer with bed geometry, flow conditions as well as feedstock demands effective research for the design of such system. This study, therefore, focuses on the simulation of hydrodynamics of a dual fluidized bed gasification system. The 2-D two-fluid model (TFM) simulations were performed using Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges (MFiX) software by varying the superficial air velocities for both the gasifier and riser. The influence of superficial air velocity on static pressure, pressure drop, axial and radial voidage, solid velocities, and granular temperature was evaluated. From the simulations, it was observed that with the increase in superficial air velocities, there was an increase in the effective height of pressure drop (66%), voidage, and solid velocities of the gasifier. For the simulation of the riser, similar trends in the profile of hydrodynamic parameters were also observed. The optimum velocity for the gasifier and riser has been suggested to be between 0.15 and 0.35 m/s and 6–7 m/s, respectively.
Enrichment of fuel properties of biomass using non-oxidative torrefaction for gasification Rabindra Kangsha Banik, Pankaj Kalita Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 2023 The abundance and replenishment nature of solid biomass prompt fuel substitution for gasification and thermal power plants. However, many challenges are encountered while utilizing raw biomass, such as seasonality, strong hydrophilicity, low bulk and energy density, excess oxygen content, less compositional homogeneity, and poor grindability. It is, therefore, indispensable to augment the thermo-chemical properties of the solid biomass by performing suitable pretreatment. Among the various pretreatment techniques, non-oxidative torrefaction effectively upgrades solid biomass to coal-like fuel altering its physico-chemical properties. Therefore, in this work, torrefaction of rice husk and sugarcane bagasse have been performed in a fixed bed reactor by varying temperatures from 210–330 °C and residence time from 30–60 min under a non-oxidative environment. The experimental investigation illustrates a decrease in mass and energy yield of the biomass with a rise in temperature and residence time. Conversely, the higher heating value of rice husk and sugarcane bagasse has improved by 119.4% and 128.9%, respectively. The hydrogen-to-carbon (H/C) and oxygen-to-carbon (O/C) ratio of the torrefied biomass has reduced to enriched fuel variety as indicated by the van Krevelen plot. The decomposition and structural modifications were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and morphology analysis. Based on the experimental observations, it has been found that torrefaction of rice husk at 290 °C and 30 min and sugarcane bagasse at 270 °C and 30 min would generate enriched syngas using a dual fluidized bed gasification system. Furthermore, water gas shift reactions will be promoted to enhance the percentage of hydrogen in the gas mixture.
Experimental investigation of bed hydrodynamics of a pilot scale dual fluidized bed system MK Sarmah, RK Banik, VK Thakur, A Soni, SK Majumder, P Kalita Powder Technology, 121664 , 2025 2025
A Comprehensive Review on Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities in Lithium-Ion Batteries for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Vijaya, RK Banik, K Shanu, P Hazarika, B Das, P Duarah, P Kalita Battery Electric Vehicles, E-Fuel Powered Hybrids and Fuel Cell Powertrains … , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Experimental investigation for maximization of syngas production generated through co-gasification of torrefied biomass and desulphurized North-East Indian coal in a dual … RK Banik, P Kalita Applied Thermal Engineering, 127583 , 2025 2025 Citations: 6
Ultrasonic and microwave irradiation-aided leaching for effective desulphurization of high sulphur North-East Indian coal RK Banik, P Kalita Environmental Science and Pollution Research 32 (35), 21227-21242 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Numerical investigation of bed hydrodynamics for biomass-coal blending in a dual fluidized bed system RK Banik, HJ Das, P Kalita Powder Technology 456, 120807 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
MFiX-TFM simulation of hydrodynamics of a dual fluidized bed system RK Banik, HJ Das, P Kalita Particulate Science and Technology 42 (8), 1303-1323 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
MFIX–DEM simulation of gas-solid flow dynamics in a dual fluidized bed system RK Banik, HJ Das IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1372 (1), 012100 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
The Promising Role of Thermochemical Conversion in Sustainable Power Generation RK Banik, S Das, U Bordoloi, HJ Das, B Das, S Basumatary, B Das, ... Challenges and Opportunities of Distributed Renewable Power, 101-140 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Enrichment of fuel properties of biomass using non-oxidative torrefaction for gasification RK Banik, P Kalita Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy 15 (6) , 2023 2023 Citations: 6
Impact of Biomass-Coal Blending on Flow Dynamics in a Dual Fluidized Bed Gasification System RK Banik, HJ Das, P Kalita International Green Energy Conference, 165-183 , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Heat Transfer Analysis in Solar Thermal Collectors P Kalita, D Das, S Das, RK Banik, U Bordoloi Advances in Sustainable Energy, 251-277 , 2021 2021 Citations: 2
Hydrothermal gasification of biomass to produce hydrogen-rich syngas P Kalita, RK Banik Algal Biorefinery: Developments, Challenges and Opportunities, 152-170 , 2021 2021 Citations: 1
An Approach Towards Sustainable Energy Education in India P Kalita, RK Banik, S Das, D Das Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Advances in Energy … , 2021 2021 Citations: 4
Feasibility study of installation of MW level grid connected solar photovoltaic power plant for northeastern region of India P Kalita, S Das, D Das, P Borgohain, A Dewan, RK Banik Sādhanā 44 (9), 207 , 2019 2019 Citations: 31
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Feasibility study of installation of MW level grid connected solar photovoltaic power plant for northeastern region of India P Kalita, S Das, D Das, P Borgohain, A Dewan, RK Banik Sādhanā 44 (9), 207 , 2019 2019 Citations: 31
Numerical investigation of bed hydrodynamics for biomass-coal blending in a dual fluidized bed system RK Banik, HJ Das, P Kalita Powder Technology 456, 120807 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
MFiX-TFM simulation of hydrodynamics of a dual fluidized bed system RK Banik, HJ Das, P Kalita Particulate Science and Technology 42 (8), 1303-1323 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Experimental investigation for maximization of syngas production generated through co-gasification of torrefied biomass and desulphurized North-East Indian coal in a dual … RK Banik, P Kalita Applied Thermal Engineering, 127583 , 2025 2025 Citations: 6
Enrichment of fuel properties of biomass using non-oxidative torrefaction for gasification RK Banik, P Kalita Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy 15 (6) , 2023 2023 Citations: 6
An Approach Towards Sustainable Energy Education in India P Kalita, RK Banik, S Das, D Das Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Advances in Energy … , 2021 2021 Citations: 4
The Promising Role of Thermochemical Conversion in Sustainable Power Generation RK Banik, S Das, U Bordoloi, HJ Das, B Das, S Basumatary, B Das, ... Challenges and Opportunities of Distributed Renewable Power, 101-140 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
MFIX–DEM simulation of gas-solid flow dynamics in a dual fluidized bed system RK Banik, HJ Das IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1372 (1), 012100 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Heat Transfer Analysis in Solar Thermal Collectors P Kalita, D Das, S Das, RK Banik, U Bordoloi Advances in Sustainable Energy, 251-277 , 2021 2021 Citations: 2
A Comprehensive Review on Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities in Lithium-Ion Batteries for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Vijaya, RK Banik, K Shanu, P Hazarika, B Das, P Duarah, P Kalita Battery Electric Vehicles, E-Fuel Powered Hybrids and Fuel Cell Powertrains … , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Ultrasonic and microwave irradiation-aided leaching for effective desulphurization of high sulphur North-East Indian coal RK Banik, P Kalita Environmental Science and Pollution Research 32 (35), 21227-21242 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Impact of Biomass-Coal Blending on Flow Dynamics in a Dual Fluidized Bed Gasification System RK Banik, HJ Das, P Kalita International Green Energy Conference, 165-183 , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Hydrothermal gasification of biomass to produce hydrogen-rich syngas P Kalita, RK Banik Algal Biorefinery: Developments, Challenges and Opportunities, 152-170 , 2021 2021 Citations: 1
Experimental investigation of bed hydrodynamics of a pilot scale dual fluidized bed system MK Sarmah, RK Banik, VK Thakur, A Soni, SK Majumder, P Kalita Powder Technology, 121664 , 2025 2025