Kerala college student receives Indian patent for method to produce methane from plastic waste

In a remarkable achievement, Abel Abraham Jacob, a Commerce student at Saintgits College of Applied Sciences, Kottayam, Kerala, has been awarded an Indian patent for his innovative research on converting plastic waste into methane. His invention, titled “Production of Methane from Plastic Waste by Combined Autogenic Pyrolysis and Fluidized Bed Gasification,” was officially patented on August 29, 2024, following a year-long journey of determination and experimentation.

The seeds of Abel’s passion for environmental conservation were sown in childhood, deeply influenced by his grandfather, M A Chacko, who fostered in him a love for nature. Abel recalls a vow he made to his grandfather to protect the environment by any means necessary. Despite pursuing a degree in Commerce, his concern for environmental issues never faded.

Abel’s breakthrough idea came while travelling by train, where he noticed piles of plastic waste scattered across various locations. This disturbing sight ignited his desire to tackle the plastic waste problem. His opportunity to dive deeper into environmental research came when he joined the Climate Change vertical of YUVA at Saintgits College, where he began exploring ways to convert plastic waste into a useful resource.

After extensive research, including 25 unsuccessful attempts, Abel achieved success on his 26th trial. His invention involves a novel method of producing methane from plastic waste through a combination of autogenic pyrolysis and fluidized bed gasification. This groundbreaking technology earned him the prestigious Indian patent and widespread recognition for his environmental innovation.

Abel’s journey wasn’t without challenges. His initial discussions with Dr. Vishnuprasad from the Department of Chemical Engineering were met with scepticism, as his idea appeared unfeasible according to existing literature. However, Abel’s persistence and enthusiasm convinced Dr. Vishnuprasad to assist him in developing multiple prototypes, one of which eventually worked. After overcoming several objections during the patent examination process, the official hearing for his research was held virtually on July 25, 2024, and successfully defended with the support of Puthran Associates.

Abel’s parents, Abraham Jacob, a Quality Control Inspector at Kuwait International Airport, and Syno Jacob, a nurse at Jahra Hospital, Kuwait, are overjoyed at their son’s success. Currently pursuing a BCom in Computer Applications at Saintgits, Abel continues to live with his grandmother, Annamma Chacko, in his ancestral home in Puthuppally. His achievement has brought pride to his family, college, and community.

Abel’s story is a testament to his perseverance, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment to environmental preservation, demonstrating that passion and innovation can transcend academic boundaries.

(The author is a BTech in Robotics and Automation students at the Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam, Kerala, reporting for Onmanorama as part of our campus outreach programme, Onmanorama Campus Reporter)