The International Desalination Association (IDA) announced that that Hiren D Raval of India has been named the recipient of its 2011 IDA Fellowship Award. A scientist at the Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Raval will undergo an attachment with the Bureau of Reclamation in the United States, the 2011 host agency for the IDA Fellowship Programme.
“Raval’s experience and dedication to the desalination industry exemplify the high standard that the IDA Fellowship programme represents. We are confident that his attachment with the Bureau of Reclamation will result in outstanding opportunities to gain new insights and share information that will benefit the desalination industry globally,” said Khoo Teng Chye, First Vice President of the International Desalination Association and Chairman of its Foundation Committee.
Imad Makhzoumi, President of IDA, said, “We are grateful to the Bureau of Reclamation and all our previous host agencies for their support of this important programme. The IDA Fellowship creates opportunities to expand learning and collaboration, thus fostering continued growth of the desalination and water reuse industry. It also fulfills IDA’s mission by encouraging research, promoting and exchanging communication, disseminating information, and supporting education in the field of desalination and water sciences.”
Raval’s responsibilities at the Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, India include conducting reverse osmosis and ultra filtration membrane research and development with a focus to develop low energy intensive membrane processes. He has been involved in developing the technology of making thin film composite membrane for RO and effluent management of the total process. He was also instrumental in developing a process to increase TFC RO membrane permeability.
Additionally, his work experience includes a position as Executive/Manager with Larsen & Toubro India, where his assignment was process design and engineering for large scale desalination/waste water reuse plants and business development. He also has taught chemical engineering and polymer technology subjects at various universities/institutes such as The MS University of Baroda, VVP Engineering College Rajkot, Nirma University, and Government Polytechnic Rajkot.
Raval has published research papers in numerous journals and magazines and has presented papers and delivered invited talks at several national and international events including CHEMCON-2004 Mumbai, Indian Desalination Association event-2006 Jaipur, CHEMCON-2008 Chandigarh and Global R & D conclave New Delhi-2010. He is a member of the Indian Desalination Association, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, and IDA.
He earned ME (Chemical Engineering) with specialisation in Polymer Technology from The M.S. University of Baroda, and a BE in Chemical Engineering from Saurashtra University Rajkot. He also completed the Executive Diploma Program in International Business from Nirma University Ahmedabad.
Raval said, “I have a lifelong mission to contribute to the field of desalination by research. Desalination is an area where significant research has been undertaken over the past decade, yet there is much promise for breakthroughs in less energy intensive process, high recovery process or desalination with recovery of salt and marine chemicals to add value.”
About the IDA Fellowship Award
The goal of the IDA Fellowship Award is to facilitate the advancement of global expertise in desalination and water reuse through the exchange of talents, knowledge and skills. In addition to a monetary award, the programme provides recipients with an opportunity to spend time with a host agency – a high-profile public utility or well-respected research organisation – working alongside colleagues in the desalination industry, gaining insights into the host agency’s operations, strategies and policies, and ultimately exchanging ideas with the global desalination community following this attachment.
Selection criteria for the Fellowship programme includes professional achievements, relevant experience in the field of desalination and water reuse, and the potential to make a significant contribution to desalination and water reuse in particular, and to the field of water and waste water in general.
In 2008, PUB became the first host agency for the Fellowship Award program, followed in 2009 by Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) in Saudi Arabia, and Water Corporation and Murdoch University in Australia in 2010.
For additional information about the IDA Fellowship Program, visit www.idadesal.org
About the Bureau of Reclamation
The Bureau of Reclamation is a US government agency within the Department of Interior and has been a leader in advanced water treatment for over 50 years. Established in 1902, the Bureau of Reclamation is today the largest wholesaler of water in the US and uses funding to encourage the innovative development, application, and management of advanced water treatment technologies. Reclamation’s Research and Development Office, where coordination for the application of advanced water treatment technology resides, is sponsoring the IDA Fellow.
