Guest Profile

Dr. A. Gangagni Rao

Designation:

Principal Scientist / Senior Environmental Engineer (or as applicable)
Specialization: Environmental Engineering, Waste-to-Energy, Anaerobic Digestion

Profile Summary:

Dr. A. Gangagni Rao is a distinguished environmental engineer and translational researcher known for his pioneering contributions in anaerobic digestion, biomethanation, and waste-to-energy technologies. His innovations have significantly advanced indigenous solutions for sustainable waste management and renewable energy generation in India.

Major Research Areas:

  • High-rate biomethanation technologies

  • Anaerobic Digestion (AD) process optimization

  • Solid and liquid waste treatment and resource recovery

  • Agricultural biomass utilization

  • Effluent and gaseous emission control

  • Renewable energy systems and biogas technologies

Key Technological Contributions:

  1. Indigenization of UASB Technology – for anaerobic wastewater treatment.

  2. Development and commercialization of Anaerobic Gas Lift Reactor (AGR) – an indigenous high-rate biomethanation technology for biogas generation.

  3. Accelerated Anaerobic Composting (AAC) – technology for rapid conversion of organic wastes into soil nutrients.

  4. Dry Anaerobic Digester with Unique Hydrodynamics (DADUH for LCB) – for lignocellulosic biomass.

  5. Bi-Phasic Solid-State Anaerobic Digester (Bi-ADS 90% CH₄) – achieving up to 90% methane generation.

  6. BIOFILTER Technology – for effective odor and gas emission control.

  7. BioSAC Process – for efficient effluent treatment.

Technology Deployment:

  • Successfully deployed 35+ biogas plants across India based on AGR technology.

  • Bowenpally Biogas Plant (Telangana) – Nationally recognized and appreciated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in Mann Ki Baat (January 2021).

  • Multiple technologies transferred and implemented in industries across India and abroad.

Research & Publications:

  • Patents: 7

  • Research Publications: 78 (Q1 & Q2 peer-reviewed journals)

  • Book Chapters: 28

  • Review Articles: 5

  • Industry Articles: 6

  • Conference Papers, Invited Talks, etc.: Numerous

  • Citations (SciVal): 1998

  • H-Index: 25

Honors & Awards:

  • Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), London

  • Fellow, Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences

  • Fellow, Telangana Academy of Sciences (2021)

  • Fellow, Institution of Engineers (FIE)

  • Fellow, Biotech Research Society of India (BRSI, 2019)

  • Life Member, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE)

Major Awards:

  • Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya Award – 2019

  • IIChE Hindustan Dorr-Oliver Award – 2014

  • BRSI Industrial Medal Award – 2015

  • CSIR-IICT Platinum Jubilee Innovation & Creativity Award Fund (PJ-ICAF) – 2016

  • IIChE ICI Award – 2017

  • SKOCH Order-of-Merit Award – 2017

  • Indian Green Energy Award – 2019

  • CSIR-Technology Award (Certificate of Merit) – 2021

  • IIChE-NOCIL Award – for Excellence in Design & Development of Process Plant and Equipment

  • VASVIK Award – in Environmental Science and Technology

Professional Engagements:

  • Member of multiple Government of India (GoI) and Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) committees.

  • Advisor to national and international industrial collaborations in the field of anaerobic digestion and waste management.

  • Extensive consultancy and technology transfer experience with industries across India and abroad.