A membrane scientist at the Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), India, is the recipient of the International Desalination Association’s 2011 Fellowship Award.
Hiren D Raval will be attached to the Bureau of Reclamation in the United States, the 2011 host agency for the IDA Fellowship Program.
Raval’s responsibilities at the CSMCRI include conducting reverse-osmosis (RO) and ultrafiltration membrane research and development with a focus to develop low-energy membrane processes. He has been involved in developing the technology of making thin-film composite (TFC) membranes for RO and effluent management of the total process. He was also instrumental in developing a process to increase TFC RO membrane permeability.
Khoo Teng Chye, first vice president of IDA and chairman of its Foundation Committee said at the announcement on 5 July 2011, “Mr Raval’s experience and dedication to the desalination industry exemplify the high standard that the IDA Fellowship program 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.”
Raval is a member of the Indian Desalination Association, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, and IDA.