Profile Picture - Prof. Nitin Kaistha

Dr Nitin Kaistha

Professor
Chemical Engineering

Interests

  • Plant-wide Control of Integrated Chemical Processes
  • Simultaneous Process Design

Education

  • PhD, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (Dec 1999)
  • BTech, Chemical Engineering, IIT Kanpur (May 1996)

Our research focuses on process integration for improved material and energy utilization efficiency and its implications on plant design, operation and control. The integration makes the design of a robust plantwide control to reduce the overdesign for a controllable plant system particularly challenging due to the high non-linearity and multi-way dynamic interaction introduced by the material and energy recycle loops. Our research has made significant contributions towards developing a systematic procedure for addressing fundamental plantwide control system design questions of what process variables to control for satisfying the safety, stability and economic objectives, and synthesizing a robust control structure (pairing with control inputs and other enhancements) for controlling the same. We are also researching the systematic leveraging of the immense flexibility in plantwide control system synthesis to optimize the process design for controllability. Our work has a practical orientation and is aptly summarized in the quote, “If you cannot explain it to a six year old, you do not understand it yourself”, by Einstein.

Profile Picture - Prof. Nitin Kaistha

Dr Nitin Kaistha

Professor
Chemical Engineering

Interests

  • Plant-wide Control of Integrated Chemical Processes
  • Simultaneous Process Design

Education

  • PhD, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (Dec 1999)
  • BTech, Chemical Engineering, IIT Kanpur (May 1996)

Our research focuses on process integration for improved material and energy utilization efficiency and its implications on plant design, operation and control. The integration makes the design of a robust plantwide control to reduce the overdesign for a controllable plant system particularly challenging due to the high non-linearity and multiway dynamic interaction introduced by the material and energy recycle loops. Our research has made significant contributions towards developing a systematic procedure for addressing fundamental plantwide control system design questions of what process variables to control for satisfying the safety, stability and economic objectives, and synthesizing a robust control structure (pairing with control inputs and other enhancements) for controlling the same. We are also researching the systematic leveraging of the immense flexibility in plantwide control system synthesis to optimize the process design for controllability. Our work has a practical orientation and is aptly summarized in the quote, “If you cannot explain it to a six year old, you do not understand it yourself”, by Einstein.

Video

Honors And Awards

Chevron Corporation Chair Professor (Oct 2018- Sep 2021)

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur

Visiting Chemical Engineering Faculty (2012-14)

Nanyang Technical University (NTU), Singapore

PK Kelkar Outstanding Young Researcher Fellowship (2009-12)

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur

Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window Lot 13 Fellowship (2009)

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Norway

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Member (1997-1999)

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Teaching @ IITK

UG Courses

  • CHE453A: Chemical Engineering Design
  • CHE381A: Process Dynamics and Control
  • CHE221A: Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
  • CHE493A: Unit Operations & Controls Laboratory 2
  • CHE391A: Unit Operations Laboratory 1

PG Course

  • CHE681A: Advanced Process Dynamics and Control

Research Experience

Chemical Engineering Faculty Sep 02-Present

  • Systematic approaches for plant-wide control system design for process through-put maximization and energy minimization.
  • Simultaneous process design and control

Research Scientist at Unilever Jun 01-Aug 02

  • Established and commissioned a pilot facility for producing liquid tea concentrates from tea leaves

Post Doctoral Fellow Jan 00- May 01, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

  • Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Group Method Data Handling (GMDH) based methodology for the plant wide detection and isoation of faults in field device.

Research Projects

Simulataneous Process Design (2017-20)

Department of Science & Technology (DST)

Plantwide control of Complex Chemical Processes (2010-13)

Department of Science & Technology (DST)

Control of Reactive Distillation Systems (2007-10)

Department of Science & Technology (DST)

Simulation of Reactive Distillation Systems (2005-08)

Ministry of Human Resource Department (MHRD)

Laboratory for Process Synthesis, Design and Control (2004-06)

Ministry of Human Resource Department (MHRD)

Industrial projects

Industrial Scale HiGee (2010-2013)

Co-PI (Dr DP Rao)

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)

Extractive Distillation (2007-2010)

Co-PI (Prof Z Judeh)

Merck, Singapore

HiGee for Gas Dehydration (2008-10)

Co-PI (Dr DP Rao)

Saudi Aramco

Slop-Cut Elimination (2008-10)

Co-PI (Dr DP Rao)

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)

HiGee for intensification (2006-07)

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List Of Publications

Liquid level control in a recycle loop

N. Kaistha J. Proc. Cont., 104, 11-27, (2021).

Design and Control of a Vapour Recompression C3 Splitter

V. Kumar and N. Kaistha, Chem. Eng. Res. Des., 159, 410-413, (2020).

Inferential self-optimizing control of a reactor-separator-recycle process

V. Kumar and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 58, 15209-15221, (2019).

Invariants for optimal operation of a reactor-separator-recycle process

V. Kumar and N. Kaistha, J. Proc. Cont., 82, 1-12, (2019).

Real time optimization of a reactor-separator-recycle process II: Steady state modelling

V. Kumar and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 58, 1966-1977, (2019)

Synthesis, Design, and Control of an Azeotropic Distillation System for Methanol-Isopropyl Acetate Separation

K. Mishra and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 58, 1229-1243, (2019).

Real time optimization of a reactor-separator-recycle process I: Steady state modelling

V. Kumar and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 57, 12429-12443, (2018).

Conceptual design and plantwide control of an ethyl acetate process

A. Sahu, V. Kumar and N. Kaistha, Chem. Eng. Processing: Process Intensification, 126, 45-61 (2018).

Design and control of a small scale isolated concentrated solar power generation unit

A. Singh, S.Kheawhom and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 57, 623-638 (2018).

Continuous diisobutylene manufacturing: Conceptual process design and plantwide control.

S. Thakur, Ojasvi, V. Kumar and N. Kaistha, Comp. Chem. Eng., 97, 59-75 (2017).

Plantwide control for maximum throughput operation of an ester purification process

Ojasvi and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng, Chem. Res., 55, 12242-12255 (2016)

Control system design for furnaces with multiple parallel passes.

Ojasvi, A. Kumar and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 55, 5702-5713 (2016).

Design and control of a reactive distillation process for naphtha hydrodesulfurization.

A. Sharma, Ojasvi and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 55, 1940-1951 (2016).

Control of quaternary ideal endothermic reactive distillation with and without internal heat integration.

A.K. Mathew, N. Kaistha and M.V.P. Kumar, Chem. Eng. Tech., 39, 775-785 (2016).

Role of non-linear effects in ternary dividing wall column control system design.

R. Gupta and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 54, 9407-9420 (2015).

Single bed and twin bed PSA systems.

R.S. Thakur, N. Kaistha and D.P. Rao, Chem. Eng. Processing: Process Intensification, 95, 165-174 (2015).

Continuous monoisopropyl amine manufacturing: Sustainable process design and plantwide control.

Ojasvi and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 54, 3398-3411 (2015).

Hill Climbing for plantwide control to economic optimum.

V. Kumar and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 53, 16465-16475 (2014).

Control system design for energy efficient on-target product purity operation of a high purity Petlyuk column.

P. Kumari, R. Jagtap and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 53, 16436-16452 (2014).

Systematic top-down economic plantwide control of the cumene process.

D. Maity, R. Jagtap and N. Kaistha, J. Proc. Cont., 23, 1426-1440 (2013).

External reset feedback for constrained economic process operation.

R. Jagtap, N. Kaistha, W.L. Luyben, Ind. Chem. Eng. Res., 52, 9654-9664 (2013).

Mass transfer studies on split-packing and single-block packing rotating packed beds.

M. Shivhare, D.P. Rao and N. Kaistha, Chem. Eng. Processing: Process Intensification, 71, 115-124 (2013).

Economic plantwide control over a wide throughput range: A systematic design procedure.

R. Jagtap, N. Kaistha and S. Skogestad, AIChE J., 59, 2407-2426 (2013).

Economic plantwide control of the cumene process.

V. Gera, M. Panahi, S. Skogestad and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 52, 830-846 (2013).

Economic plantwide control of the ethyl benzene process.

R. Jagtap, A.S. Pathak and N. Kaistha, AIChE J., 59, 1996-2014 (2013).

Economic plantwide control of a C4 isomerization process.

R. Jagtap and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 51, 11731-11743 (2012).

Plantwide control for economic operation of a recycle process with side reaction.

R. Jagtap, N. Kaistha and S. Skogestad, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 50, 8571-8584 (2011).

Process intensification in duplex pressure swing adsorption.

R.S. Thakur, N. Kaistha, and D.P. Rao, Comp. Chem. Eng., 35, 975-983 (2011).

Design and control of vapor-phase conventional process and reactive distillation process for cumene production.

A.S. Pathak, S. Agarwal, V. Gera and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 50, 3312-3326 (2011).

Process intensification in PSA processes for upgrading synthetic landfill and lean natural gases.

G. Spoorthi, R.S. Thakur, N. Kaistha and D.P. Rao, Adsorption, 17, 121-133 (2011).

Limiting gas liquid flows and mass transfer in a novel rotating packed bed (HiGee).

S. Rajan, M. Kumar, M.J. Ansari, D.P. Rao and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 50, 986-997 (2011).

Process intensification in HiGee absorption and distillation: Design procedure and applications.

L. Agarwal, V. Pavani, D.P. Rao and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 49, 10046-10058 (2010).

Plant-wide control system design for through-put maximization: A case study.

R. Kanodia and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 49, 210-221 (2010).

An efficient algorithm for rigorous dynamic simulation of reactive distillation columns.

M. Rahul, M.V.P. Kumar, D. Dwivedi and N. Kaistha, Comp. Chem. Eng., 33, 1336-1343 (2009).

Controllable optimized designs of an ideal reactive distillation system using genetic algorithm.

S. Koduru and N. Kaistha, Chem. Eng. Sc., 64, 4929-4942 (2009).

Evaluation of ratio control schemes for improved controllability of a methyl acetate reactive distillation column.

M.V. Pavan Kumar and N. Kaistha, Chem. Eng. Res. Des., 87, 216-225 (2009).

Reactive Distillation Column Design for Controllability: A Case Study.

M.V. Pavan Kumar and N. Kaistha, Chem. Eng. Processing: Proc. Intensification, 48(2), 606-616 (2009).

Internal heat integration and controllability of an ideal reactive distillation column II: Effect of catalyst redistribution.

M.V. Pavan Kumar and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 47(19), 7304-7311 (2008).

Internal heat integration and controllability of an ideal reactive distillation column I: Effect of feed tray location.

M.V. Pavan Kumar and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 47(19), 7294-7303 (2008).

Control of tubular reactor hot-spot temperature: Control configurations and through-put maximization.

S. Singh, S. Lal and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 47(19), 7257-7263 (2008).

Steady state multiplicity and its implications on the control of an ideal reactive distillation column.

M.V. Pavan Kumar and N. Kaistha, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 47, 2778-2787 (2008).

Role of multiplicity in reactive distillation control system design.

M.V. Pavan Kumar and N. Kaistha, J. Proc. Cont., 18, 692-706 (2008).

Decentralized control of a kinetically controlled ideal reactive distillation column.

M.V. Pavan Kumar and N. Kaistha, Chem. Eng. Sc., 63, 228-243 (2008).

Valve positioning control for process through-put maximization.

S.K. Jha and N. Kaistha, Chem. Eng. Res. Des., 85(A11), 1465-1475 (2007).

Temperature based inferential control of a methyl acetate reactive distillation column.

M.V. Pavan Kumar and N. Kaistha, Chem. Eng. Res. Des., 85(A9), 1268-1280 (2007).

Steady state reactive distillation simulation using the Naphtali-Sandholm method.

R. Singh, M.V. Pavan Kumar and N. Kaistha, Can. J. of Chem. Eng., 85, 75-82 (2007).

Steady state analyses for reactive distillation control: An MTBE case study.

B.P. Singh, R. Singh, M.V. Pavan Kumar and N. Kaistha, J. of Loss Prev. Proc. Ind., 18, 283-292 (2005).

Steady state analysis of reactive distillation columns using homotopy continuation.

B.P. Singh, R. Singh, M.V. Pavan Kumar and N. Kaistha, Chem. Eng. Res. Des., 83 (A8), 959-968 (2005).

An SPC framework for the characterization of batch profiles.

N. Kaistha, C.F. Moore, and M.G. Leitnaker, Technometrics, 46, 53-68 (2004).

On-line batch recipe adjustments for product quality control using empirical models: Application to a nylon-6,6 process.

N. Kaistha, M.S. Johnson, M.G. Leitnaker and C.F. Moore, ISA Trans., 42, 305-315 (2003).

Incipient fault detection and isolation in nuclear power plant field devices using principal component analysis.

N. Kaistha and B. Upadhyaya, Nuc. Tech., 162, 221-230 (2001).

Extraction of event times in batch profiles for time synchronization and quality predictions.

N. Kaistha and C.F. Moore, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 40, 252-260 (2001).

Monitoring and analysis of batch profiles.

C.F. Moore, N. Kaistha and M.S. Johnson, J. of Proc. Anal. Chem., V, 65-79 (2000).

Current Students

PhD Students (Current)
Student Image

Rahul Jain  (rahuljn@iitk.ac.in )

Rahul hails from Agra, UP. He did his B Tech in Chemical Engineering from IET Lucknow, UP and M Tech from IIT BHU.

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Prakhar Srivastava  (prakhars@iitk.ac.in )

Prakhar hails from Kanpur, UP. He did his B Tech in Chemical Engineering from Dr Ambedkar Institute of Technology for Handicapped (AITH) Kanpur and M Tech from NIT Allahabad.

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Aayush Gupta  (gaayush@iitk.ac.in )

Aayush hails from Kanpur, UP. He did his B Tech in Chemical Engineering from NIT Allahabad, UP. He has worked in Heidelberg Cement India Limited (HCIL) Damoh, MP.

MTech / Dual Degree Students (Current)
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Akash Jaiswal  (akashj20@iitk.ac.in )

Akash hails from Kolkata, WB. He did his B Tech in Chemical Engineering from Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata.

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Aman Kumar  (amankr20@iitk.ac.in )

Aman hails from Patna, Bihar. He did his B Tech in Chemical Engineering from Ramaiah Institute of Technology Bangalore, Karnataka.

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Mayur Kumar  (kmayur@iitk.ac.in )

Mayur hails from Kanpur, UP. He did his B Tech from IIT kanpur, UP.

Past PhD Students

Name Programme Specialization / Other Details
M V Pavan Kumar PhD Control of reactive distillation column. Currently Faculty, CHE @ NIT Calicut
Raghvendra Singh Thakur PhD Pressure swing adsorption. Currently Faculty, CHE @ Chhattisgarh University, Bilaspur.
Rahul Jagtap PhD Plant-wide control. Currently working @ GE Power, Bangalore.
Ojasvi PhD Process synthesis & Design. Currently Scientist @ IIP Dehradun
Vivek Kumar PhD Economic plant-wide control. Currently Faculty, CHE @ RGIPT Raebareli, UP

Selected Publications

Liquid level control in a recycle loop

N. Kaistha J. Proc. Cont., 104, 11-27, (2021).

Synthesis, design, and control of an azeotropic distillation system for methanol–isopropyl acetate separation

K Mishra, N Kaistha Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 58 (3), 1229-1243 (2018).

Plantwide control for maximum throughput operation of an ester purification process.

N. Kaistha, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 55 (47), 12242-12255 (2016).

Process intensification in HiGee absorption and distillation: design procedure and applications

L Agarwal, V Pavani, DP Rao, N Kaistha Industrial & engineering chemistry research 49 (20), 10046-10058 (2010).

Role of multiplicity in reactive distillation control system design.

MVP Kumar, N Kaistha Journal of Process Control 18 (7-8), 692-706 (2008).

CHE381A: Process Dynamics and Control (2020-21 Even Semester)

Course Outline
  • PART A: PROCESS CONTROL THEORY
  • PART B: CONTROL OF CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • Video Lectures link.

    Contacts

    nkaistha@iitk.ac.in
    Office : +91-512-2597513
    Laboratory : +91-512-2597432
    Office : Faculty Building, 468
    Laboratory : Old Core, CL202A