PROFILE

Education

M.Sc. (Wood Science and Technology)

Research Activities

Research Interests:
My current research activities are related to studies preparation of biodiesel form tree born oil seeds and assessment of its properties.

I have also carried out studies on fuelwood properties i.e., understanding of calorific value, physical, chemical and elemental characteristics of various forest biomasses for energy purpose.

Such studies will help us in identifying and screening different biomass as suitable feed stocks for energy. I have also conducted studies on carbonization of various forest biomasses (wood, bamboo and weeds).

All such studies are gaining importance because of environmental concerns and due to growing demand for heat and energy from the renewable sources.

Research Expertise

Projects

Carbonisation of selected fuelwood species

Fuel properties of important forest weeds

Study on combustion characteristics and fuel properties of roots from selected agroforestry tree species

Studies on fuel properties, carbonization and characterization of charcoal from selected bamboo species

Current Research Projects:

Study on microwave assisted extraction and transesterification of Pongamia pinnata seed oil

Study the effect of microwave assisted heating and seed storage conditions on quality of Pongamia pinnata (L.) seed oil for cost effective production of biodiesel

Publications

Details of Research Papers Published in National/International Journals:

Gowdra K. Prakash, Krishna. K. Pandey, Ritesh K.D. Ram and Kittappa M. Mahadevan. Dimensional stability and photostability of octanoylated wood. Holzforschung, vol. 60, pp.539-542, 2006.

Ritesh Kumar, K. K. Pandey and N. Chandrashekar. Effect of carbonization conditions on yield and chemical composition of wood char prepared from selected fast growing fuelwood species. J. Ind. Acad. Wood Sci., (N.S), Vol.5 (1&2):2008 Page no 92-102.

Ritesh Kumar, N. Chandrashekar and K. K. Pandey. Study on fuel properties and combustion characteristic of Lantana camara and Eupatorium spp. Current Science, Vol. 97, No. 6, 25 September 2009.

Ritesh Kumar, K. K. Pandey and N. Chandrashekar. Study on fuel properties and thermogravimetric analysis of roots of four tree species. J. Ind. Acad. Wood Sci.,Vol. 6(1&2): 2009 Page no 71-79.

Ritesh Kumar, K.K. Pandey, N. Chandrashekar and Sanjay Mohan. Effect of tree-age on calorific value and other fuel properties of Eucalyptus hybrid. Journal of Forestry Research 21(4), 2010, 514 −516.

Ritesh Kumar, K.K. Pandey, N. Chandrashekar and Sanjay Mohan. Study of age and height wise variability on calorific value and other fuel properties of Eucalyptus hybrid, Acacia auriculaeformis and Casuarina equisetifolia. Biomass and Bioenergy 35, 2011, 1339-1344.

Ritesh Kumar, G. Ravi Kumar, N. Chandrashekar. Microwave assisted alkali-catalyzed transesterification of Pongamia pinnata seed oil for biodiesel production. Bioresource Technology 102 (2011) 6617–6620.

Papers Published in Proceedings of Symposiums/Conferences:

Ritesh Kumar, K. K. Pandey and N. Chandrashekar. Fuel characteristic of Dendrocalamus brandissi Kurz., Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees. and Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss. Proceedings of the National conference on Bamboo: Management, Conservation, Value addition and Promotion. Page no 263-267. Edited by A.K.Mandal, Nanita Beery and G. S Rawat. 12-14th March 2008 at TFRI Jabalpur.

Ritesh Kumar, S. C Joshi and N. Chandrashekar. Studies on fuel properties and combustion characteristics of Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees. and Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss. Proceedings of the National conference on Bamboo: Productivity Enhancement and Value addition of Bamboo. Page no 224-229. Edited by Sanjay Singh and Rameshwar Das. 09-10th March 2010 at IFP Ranchi.

Achievements