Distinguished Professor

Education

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, PhD, 1969
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, MS 1966
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, BTech (Honors) 1963

Research Interests

• Membrane separation techniques and technologies for solving separation problems in chemical, environmental, food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries (involving both gas mixtures and liquid solutions)
• Develop new and improved membrane separation techniques and membrane structures, characterize them, model membrane separation performance and apply them to problem solving
• membranes for selective removal of  CO2 or VOCs from air/N2
• fabrication of membranes for UF, NF and LPRO processes for water treatment and solvent processing
• porous membrane-based equilibrium contacting processes,membrane distillation
• membrane reactors ,fuel cells
• fermentation-membrane separation processes; membrane-based bioseparations
•  development of novel membrane-based controlled release techniques

Recent Publications

• H. Chen, A.S. Kovvali, S. Majumdar and K.K. Sirkar, “Selective CO2 Separation from CO2-N2 Mixtures by Immobilized Carbonate-glycerol Membranes”, I&EC Res., 38(9), 3489-3498 (1999).
• K.K. Sirkar, P.V. Shanbhag and A. S. Kovvali, "Membrane in a Reactor: A Functional Perspective, I&EC Res., 38(10), 3715-3737 (1999).
• S. Farrell and K.K. Sirkar, "A Mathematical Model of an Aqueous-organic Partition-based Controlled Release System using Microporous Membranes," J. Controlled Release, 61 (3), 345-360 (1999).
• J. Whu, B.C. Baltzis and K. K. Sirkar, "Modeling of Nanofiltration-assisted Organic Synthesis," J. Membrane Sci., 163(12), 319-331 (1999).
• X. P. Dai, R.G. Luo and K. K. Sirkar, "An Integrated Process for Biomolecule Isolation and Purification", Biotechnol. Prog., 15 (12), 1095-1105 (1999).
• D. Bhaumik, S. Majumdar and K.K. Sirkar, "Pilot-plant and Laboratory Studies on Vapor Permeation Removal of VOCs from Waste Gas using Silicone-coated Hollow Fibers," J. Membrane Sci., 167 (2), 107-122 (2000).
• J.A. Whu, B. C. Baltzis and K. K. Sirkar, "Nanofiltration Studies of Larger Organic Microsolutes in a Methanol Solution," J. Membrane Sci., 170 (2), 159-172 (2000).
• X. P. Dai, Z. F. Yang, R. G. Luo and K. K. Sirkar, "Lipase-facilitated Separation of Organic Acids in a Hollow Fiber Contained Liquid Membrane Module," J. Membrane Sci., 171 (2), 183-196 (2000).
• H. Chen, A. S. Kovvali and K. K. Sirkar, "Selective CO2 Separation from CO2 - N2 Mixtures by Immobilized Glycine-Na-glycerol Membranes", I &EC Res., 39(7), 2447-2458 (2000).
• A.S. Kovvali, H. Chen and K.K. Sirkar, "Dendrimer Membranes: A CO2-Selective Molecular Gate", JACS, 122, 7594-7595 (2000).
• X.P. Dai, R.G. Luo and K.K. Sirkar, "Pressure and Flux Profiles in Bead-filled Ultrafiltration/Microfiltration Hollow Fiber Membrane Modules", Biotechnol. Prog., 16 (6), 1044-1054 (2000).
• C. Chandavasu, M. Xanthos, K.K. Sirkar and C.G. Gogos, "Preparation of Microporpous Films from Immiscible Blends via Melt Processing", J. Plastic Film & Sheeting, 16 (4), 288-300 (2000).
• S. Farrell and K. K. Sirkar, "Mathematical Model of a Hybrid Dispersed Network-Membrane-based Controlled Release System", J. Controlled Release, 70 (1-2), 51-61 (2001).
• H. Chen, G. Obuskovic, S. Majumdar and K. K. Sirkar, "Immobilized Glycerol-based Liquid Membranes in Hollow Fibers for Selective CO2 Separation from CO2-N2 Mixtures". J. Membrane Sci., 183 (1), 75-88 (2001).
• S. Majumdar, D. Bhaumik, K. K. Sirkar and G. Simes, "A Pilot Scale Demonstration of Membrane-based Absorption-Stripping Process for Removal and Recovery of Volatile Organic Compounds", Environmental Progress, 20 (1), 27-35. (2001).
• I. Abou-Nemeh, S. Majumdar, A. Saraf, K.K. Sirkar, L.M. Vane, F.R. Alvarez and L. Hitchens, "Demonstration of Pilot-Scale Pervaporation Systems for Volatile Organic Compound Removal from a Surfactant Enhanced Aquifer Remediation Fluid II.  Hollow Fiber Membrane Module", Environmental Progress, 20 (1), 64-73 (2001).
• A.S. Kovvali and K.K. Sirkar, "Dendrimer Liquid Membranes: CO2 Separation from Gas Mixtures", I&EC Res., 40 (11), 2502-2511 (2001).
• C. Chandavasu, M. Xanthos, K.K. Sirkar and C.G. Gogos, "Polypropylene Blends as Materials for Microporous Membranes Formed by Melt Processing", Polymer, 43, 781-795 (2002).
• A.S. Kovvali, H. Chen and K.K. Sirkar, "Glycerol-based ILMs for Olefin-paraffin Separation", I&EC Res., 41 (3), 347-356 (2002).
• M. Xanthos, C. Chandavasu, K.K. Sirkar and C.G. Gogos, "Melt Processed Microporous Films from Compatibilized Immiscible Blends with Potential as Membranes", Poly. Eng. & Sci., 42(4), 810-825 (2002).
• S. Majumdar, A.K. Guha and K.K. Sirkar, "Fuel Oil Desalting by Hydrogel Hollow Fiber Membrane", J. Membrane Sci., 202 (1-2), 253-256 (2002).
• A.S. Kovvali and K.K. Sirkar, "Carbon Dioxide Separation with Novel Solvents as Liquid Membranes", ", I&EC Res., 41(9), 2287-2295 (2002).
• Y.J. Qin, J.P. Sheth and K.K. Sirkar, "Supported Liquid Membrane-based Pervaporation for VOC Removal from Water", I&EC Res., 41 (14) 3413-3428 (2002).
• C. Chandavasu, M. Xanthos, K.K. Sirkar and C.G. Gogos, "Fabrication of Microporous Polymeric Membranes by Melt Processing of Immiscible Blends", J. Membrane Sci., 211(1), 167-175 (2003).
• J. Sheth, Y.J. Qin, K.K. Sirkar and B.C. Baltzis, "Nanofiltration-based Diafiltration Process for Solvent Exchange in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing", J. Membrane Sci., 211(2), 251-261 (2003).
• Y. J. Qin, J.P. Sheth and K.K. Sirkar, "Pervaporation Membranes highly Selective for Acetic Acid over Water", I&EC Res., 42(3), 582-595 (2003).
• S. Majumdar, D. Bhaumik and K.K. Sirkar, "Performance of Commercial-size Plasmapolymerized PDMS-Coated Hollow Fiber Modules in Removing VOCs from N2/Air", J. Membrane Sci., 214(2), 323-330 (2003).
• X.P. Dai, S. Majumdar, R.G. Luo and K.K. Sirkar, "Protein Loading, Elution and Resolution Behavior in a Novel Device that Integrates Ultrafiltration and Chromatographic Separation", Biotechnol. Bioeng., 83(2), 125-139 (2003).
• G. Obuskovic, S. Majumdar and K.K. Sirkar, "Highly VOC-Selective Hollow Fiber Membranes for Separation by Vapor Permeation", J. Membrane Sci., 217(1-2), 99-116 (2003).
• Y. Xu and K.K. Sirkar, "Protein Mass Transfer Enhancement in Membrane Filtration-cum-Adsorption Process", J. Membrane Sci., 221(1-2), 79-87 (2003).
• D. Bhaumik, S. Majumdar and K.K. Sirkar, "Hollow Fiber Membrane Degassing in Ultrapure Water and Microbiocontamination", J. Membrane Sci., 235, 31-41 (2003).
• M. Feins and K.K. Sirkar, "Highly Selective Membranes in Protein Ultrafiltration", Biotechnol. Bioeng., 86(6), 603-611 (2004) (Accelerated Publication).
• Q. Fan, K.K. Sirkar, Y. Wang and B. Michniak, "In Vitro Delivery of Doxycycline Hydrochloride Based on a Porous Membrane-based Aqueous-organic Partitioning System," J. Controlled Release, 98 (3), 355-365 (2004).
• B. Li and K.K. Sirkar, "Novel Membrane and Device for Direct Contact Membrane Distillation-based Desalination Process", I & EC Res., 43(17), 5300-5309 (2004).
• D. Zarkadas and K.K. Sirkar, "Solid Hollow Fiber Cooling Crystallization", I&EC Res., 43, 7163-7180 (2004).
• D. Zarkadas and K.K. Sirkar, "Polymeric Hollow Fiber Heat Exchangers (PHFHEs): An Alternative for Lower Temperature Applications", I & EC Res., 43, 8093-8106 (2004).
• A.P. Korikov and K.K. Sirkar, "Membrane Gas Permeance in Gas-Liquid Membrane Contactor Systems for Solutions Containing a Highly Reactive Absorbent", J. Membrane Sci., 246(1), 27-37 (2005).
• M. Feins and K.K. Sirkar, "Novel Internally Staged Ultrafiltration for Protein Purification", J. Membrane Sci., 248 (1-2), 137-148 (2005).
• P. Kosaraju, A. Korikov, A. Kovvali and K.K. Sirkar, "Hollow Fiber Membrane Contactor-based CO2 Absorption-Stripping Using Novel Solvents and Membranes", I & EC Res., 44(5), 1250-1258 (2005).
• Y. Xu, X.P. Dai, R.G. Luo and K.K. Sirkar, "A New Integrated Membrane Filtration-cum-Chromatographic Device", Biotech. Prog., 21 (2), 590-597 (2005).
• B. Li and K.K. Sirkar, "Novel Membrane and Device for Vacuum Membrane Distillation-based Desalination Process", J. Membrane Sci., 257 (1-2), 60-75 (2005).
• D. Zarkadas and K.K. Sirkar, “Incremental Heat Transfer Number for Laminar Flow in Circular Tubes with the Boundary Condition of the Third Kind and Simple Design Formula for Shell-and-tube Laminar Flow Heat Exchangers with Constant External Resistance”, Int. J. of Transport Phenomena, 7, 297-306(2005).
• A.P. Korikov, P.B. Kosaraju and K.K. Sirkar, "Interfacially Polymerized Hydrophilic Microporous Thin Film Composite Membranes on Porous Polyproyplene Hollow Fibers and Flat Films," J. Membrane Science, 279, 1-2, 588-600 (2006)
• D. M. Zarkadas and K.K. Sirkar,"Antisolvent Crystallization in Porous Hollow Fiber Devices", Chemical Engineering Science, 61(15), 5030-5048 (2006).
• P. Kosaraju and K.K. Sirkar, "Novel Solvent-resistant Hydrophilic Hollow Fiber Membranes for Efficient Membrance Solvent Back Extraction", J. Membrane Sci., 288 (1-2), 41-50, (2007).
• L. Song, B. Li, K.K. Sirkar and J Gilron, " Direct Contact Membrane Distillation-based Desalination: Novel Membranes, Devices, Larger-scale Studies and a Model", I & EC Res., 46, 2307-2323 (2007).
• J. Gilron, L. Song and K.K. Sirkar, "Design for Cascade of Crossflow Direct Contact Membrane Distillation", I & EC Res., 46, 2324-2334 (2007)
• D. M. Zarkadas and K. K. Sirkar, "Cooling Crystallization of Paracetamol in Hollow Fiber Devices", I & EC Res., 46, 2928-2935 (2007).

Books

• Co-editor with W.S. Winston Ho, "Membrane Handbook", Chapman and Hall, New York  (1992); Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston (2001).
• Editor, "New Membrane Materials and Processes for Separation," Co-editor D.L. Lloyd, AIChE Symposium Series, No. 261, Vol. 84 (1988).

Recent Patents

• "Chromatographic Method for Biomolecule Purification using a Hollow-Fiber Membrane Module," Robert G. Luo and Kamalesh K. Sirkar, US Patent 6,022,477, February 8, 2000.
• "Controlled Release Device Based on Aqueous-Organic Partitioning in Porous Membranes", K. Sirkar, S. Farrell and R. Basu, US Patent 6,110,481, August 29, 2000.
• "Gas Separation Using Hollow Fiber Contained Liquid Membrane," K.K. Sirkar, U.S. Patent 6,156,096 December 5, 2000.  (Licensed to AMT, Inc., Minnetonka, MN).
• "Apparatus for Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds from Gaseous Mixtures," K.K. Sirkar, S. Majumdar and T. Poddar, U.S. Patent 6,165,253, December 26, 2000.
• "Improved Membrane Separation of Carbon Dioxide", K.K. Sirkar, A.S. Kovvali and H. Chen; U.S. Patent 6,635,103, October 21, 2003.
• "Preparation of Microporous Films from Immiscible Blends via Melt Processing and Stretching", C. Chandavasu, M. Xanthos, K. Sirkar; U.S. Patent 6,824,680, November 30, 2004.
• "Method and Apparatus for Isolation and Purification of Biomolecules", K.K. Sirkar, R.G. Luo, Y. Xu and X.P. Dai, U.S. Patent 6,986,847, January 17, 2006.

Awards and Honors

• M. Engg., Honoris Causa, Stevens Institute of Technology, 1987;
• Kirkpatrick Award, 1991, Honorable Mention to Hoechst Celanese for Membrane Solvent Extraction with direct mention of K.K. Sirkar, the inventor of this technique;
• Professional and Scholarly Publishing Award for the Most Outstanding Engineering Work in 1992 awarded to W.S. Winston Ho and K.K. Sirkar for the “Membrane Handbook” in February 1993;
• Harlan J. Perlis Award for Research at NJIT, 1997;
• Honorary Fellow, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2001;
• Themis Medicare Chemcon Distinguished Speaker Award, CHEMCON 2001, December 20, 2001;
• Co-winner of Graduate Research Paper Award in Membrane Separations, Separations Division of AIChE, 2004;
• Co-winner of Graduate Research Paper Award in Crystallization and Evaporation, Separations Division of AIChE, 2004;
• 2005 AIChE Institute Award for Excellence in Industrial Gases Technology, October 30, 2005.
• 2006 Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award in the Environmental Category of the Research and Development Council of NJ, November 2, 2006;
• Co-winner of Graduate Research Paper Award in Extraction, Separations Division of AIChE, 2006, November 11, 2006.