KL University, with over four decades of excellence, recognized among the top universities in South India, has once again showcased its research leadership with a significant breakthrough in clean energy and emission control engineering. Researchers from KLH Bachupally Campus, a constituent of KL University, have addressed one of the most prominent challenges in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, a critical technology used worldwide to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions from gas turbines and industrial exhausts.
In a landmark study published in Applied Thermal Engineering, Dr. Srinivasa Rao Sunkara, Associate Professor, and Dr. B. Sai Prasad, Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, collaborated with an international team of researchers to reimagine how ammonia is introduced and mixed within SCR systems.
SCR technology depends heavily on uniform ammonia distribution before the exhaust reaches the catalyst surface. When mixing is uneven, emission reduction becomes inefficient and unpredictable. The KL University-led research moves beyond incremental design fixes, offering a fundamental engineering insight backed by high-fidelity computational simulations.
The study demonstrates that introducing controlled swirl at the ammonia injection point transforms turbulent exhaust flow from a challenge into an advantage. This rotational motion enables ammonia to spread more evenly across the duct, significantly reducing concentration imbalances. The result is a more uniform temperature field and a stable chemical environment ahead of the catalyst, both essential for consistent and reliable emission control.
“This approach allows the flow itself to do the hard work,” explained Dr. Srinivasa Rao Sunkara. “Instead of resisting turbulence, we use it strategically to improve mixing efficiency.”
Dr. B. Sai Prasad added that such flow conditioning is vital for long-term system reliability. “Predictable catalytic reactions are only possible when ammonia distribution and temperature profiles are stable. Our findings show measurable improvements that can directly impact real-world SCR performance.”
This research highlights KL University’s strong focus on application-driven innovation, where theoretical understanding meets industrial relevance. The Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at the KLH Bachupally Campus actively supports interdisciplinary research spanning computational modelling, sustainable engineering systems, and intelligent design solutions.
