G.S. Viswanath
25 years in Composites Technology, manufacturing FRP Pipes and tanks
Dr. Salam Rajendra Babu
Dr. Salam Rajendra Babu
Resin technologist with 30 years experience in FRP Industries
1984 - 1986
Chief Executive (Technical), Titanium Tantalum Products Pvt. Ltd., Chennai
Worked as key technical person for Dr. R. Thangappan, the pioneer in Titanium Anode technology for chlor-alkali industry in India. Developed optimum designs for shell & tube titanium heat-exchanger. Developed & manufactured proto-types of titanium centrifugal process pumps and blowers as import substitute products. Involved in introducing titanium anodes to small scale industry for the manufacture of sodium and potassium chlorate.
1986 - 1991
Research Scholar at IIT, Madras :
Specialisation: Electro-chemical engineering.
Other activities at IIT, Chennai:
- Developed process for extraction of therapeutic oil from Avacado fruit which is available in plenty in Kodaikanal hills. This oil has export market – samples produced and the oil characterized.
- Anodising of Aluminum using pulse current – commercialised
- Reduction of FFA in Rice Bran oil using liquid-liquid extraction – Research successful but commercially unpredictable due to raw material cost
- Helped Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, the renowned agricultural scientist in organizing an international dialogue on costal environment management.
1989 – 1992
Partner ACE Industries – Aluminum Anodising and fabrication business:
During sabbatical at IIT, Chennai, set up a factory in tiny scale to anodize aluminum and fabricate it on contract manufacturing basis. The process was developed based on a Japanese patent on pulse anodizing that eliminated the expensive step of cooling the electrolyte.
1992 – 2003
Director, Palakkad Chlorate & Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. :
Manufacture of Potassium Chlorate. Set-up the first small scale potassium chlorate manufacturing facility in Kerala with indigenous technology that was developed while at IIT, Chennai. The cost of the project was one third of a conventional plant of same capacity. Successfully ran it for 11 years.
1997 – 2005
Managing Director, Strategic Engineering Pvt. Ltd.:
Identified composites as one of the fastest growing industry in the new millennium replacing metals and thermoplastics. Identified FRP pipes and cylinders as products that would need sophisticated design and technology as well as low cost manpower for production. Single handedly brought in angel investors and raised equity of over US$ 1.0 m
Technology Indigenisation: Attended a number of seminars and exhibitions abroad to interact with composites experts around the world for technology identification. Visited machinery manufacturers in USA for import of the critical machinery. Built most of the balance machinery indigenously thus setting up one of the lowest cost manufacturing facility in the world for FRP pipe manufacturing.
Sold the company to venture capitalists.
2005 - 2009
C.T.O at Vayyu L.L.C. in PA, USA :
Activities:
- FRP piping system engineering for municipalities in USA.
- Engineering and supervision of 260 Km. 2000 mm diameter GRP water pipes manufacturing and installation project at Azerbaijan
- Installation of GRP and GRE pipes up to 3600 mm diameter at Borouge 2 plant at Abu Dhabi
- Engineering and Design consultation for industries in India to manufacture FRP pipes for the USA market.
2010 - 2017
Independent Consultant to the following FRP/GRP manufacturing companies:
- Carborundum Universal Ltd., Ranipet
- Megha Fiber Glass Industries Ltd., Hyderabad
- Sunrise Industries India Ltd., Vadaodara
- Ti Anode Fabricators Pvt. Ltd., Chennai
November 2017 - June 2023
Executive Director ETASmart Pvt. Ltd. :
Design and manufacture of double-walled underground FRP tanks for thermal energy storage where the annular space acts as thermal insulation. These tanks are used by HVAC companies to take advantage of demand based lower tariffs at night and lower ΔT.