Dr. S.S.Mallick

Professor

Specialization

Powder and Bulk Solids Technologies

Email

ssmallick@thapar.edu

Specialization

Powder and Bulk Solids Technologies

Email

ssmallick@thapar.edu

 

Summary

 

The technologies developed through our research in Powder and Bulk Solids Technology have been successfully applied to the design, troubleshooting, and reliable operation of dry powder storage, conveying, and processing systems across a wide range of industries. This integration of research and industrial experience informs my teaching and supervision at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral (PhD) levels, fostering creativity, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills aligned with contemporary engineering practice. In addition, I am keenly interested in the design and development of products addressing societal and industrial needs, with a strong focus on lab-to-market translation and entrepreneurship.

 

 

Education

 

  • PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia, 2010
  • M.TECH., Energy and Environment Management, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India, 2005
  • B.E., Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (previously known as Bengal Engineering College), Shibpur, India, 2001

 

 

Professional Experience

 

  • Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, 2023-to date
  • Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, 2016-2023
  • Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Dept., Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, 2010-2016
  • Senior Design Engineer, Development Consultants Private Limited, 2009-2010
  • Design Engineer, Development Consultants Private Limited, 2002-2006
  • Graduate Engineer Trainee, Samtel Color Limited, 2001-2002

 

 

 

Teaching Interest

 

  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Power Plant Technologies
  • Industrial Utility Systems

 

 

Research Interests

 

  • Powder characterization
  • Pneumatic transport of powders
  • Flow properties of powder
  • Size reduction of bulk solids
  • Mixing, compaction, segregation of powders
  • Dust hazards, cleaning, extraction and suppression
  • Modelling and DEM simulation of bulk solids

 

 

International Journal Publication (SCI Indexed)

 

  1. B. Bhatt, S. S. Mallick, K. Sharma, G. Setia, A. Mittal, An experimental investigation into the rheology of fine powders for modelling fluidised dense-phase pneumatic conveying, Powder Technology, 122159, 2026.
  2. C. Kishor, S. S. Mallick, S. Sadhu, H. Chawla, The impact of cohesion, adhesion, and surface roughness on the flow behavior of Portland pozzolanic cement, Particulate Science and Technology, 44(2), 276–287, 2026.
  3. Mittal, S. S. Mallick, Pressure signal analysis for early blockage detection in dense-phase pneumatic conveying, Powder Technology, 464, 121243, 2025.
  4. Kishor, H. Chawla, S. Sadhu, S. S. Mallick, Development of novel mortar using fine river sand and pretreated waste flue gas desulfurization gypsum powder and pond fly ash, Particulate Science and Technology, 43(1), 144–158, 2025.
  5. Kishor, H. Chawla, S. Sadhu, S. S. Mallick, Synergistic effects of glass cullet and pozzolanic waste on mechanical and durability properties of paver blocks, Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 46, 102089, 2025.
  6. R. Poddar, S. S. Mallick, K. Lal, Modelling sifting and fluidisation segregation characteristics of powders, Powder Technology, 465, 121368, 2025.
  7. R. Poddar, S. S. Mallick, K. Lal, An investigation into segregation behaviour of powders with different moisture content, Particulate Science and Technology, 43(8), 1431–1448, 2025.
  8. J. Singh, S. S. Mallick, B. Pal, K. K. Gupta, S. Roy, Overview on sodium ion batteries: anode, cathode, and electrolytes, ChemistrySelect, 10(46), e05643, 2025.
  9. K. Sharma, A. Mittal, S. S. Mallick, Rheological behaviour of fine powders: experimental insights into shear thinning and shear thickening effects, International Journal of Research, 8(1), 2025.
  10. G. Saluja, S. S. Mallick, S. Karmakar, Developing pneumatic conveying classification diagram for powders, Powder Technology, 442, 119876, 2024.
  11. R. Poddar, S. S. Mallick, K. Lal, Reliable pneumatic transport of coarse ash in dense-phase by optimally mixing with fine ash, Powder Technology, 438, 119671, 2024.
  12. R. Poddar, G. Saluja, S. S. Mallick, K. Lal, An investigation into static angle of repose using pharmaceutical powders, Particulate Science and Technology, 42(3), 344–353, 2024.
  13. Sharma, R. Poddar, G. Saluja, S. S. Mallick, Modelling pressure drop in curvature and reacceleration zones in bends during pneumatic conveying of fine powders, Particulate Science and Technology, 42(3), 377–392, 2024.
  14. G. Saluja, S. S. Mallick, S. Karmakar, Modelling minimum transport boundary for pneumatic conveying of powders, Particulate Science and Technology, 42(3), 418–426, 2024.
  15. G. Saluja, S. S. Mallick, S. Karmakar, Predicting pneumatic conveyability and flowability of fly ash using bulk property characterization, Particulate Science and Technology, 42(3), 482–494, 2024.
  16. R. Poddar, S. S. Mallick, K. Lal, An experimental investigation into sifting and fluidization segregation characteristics for coal fly ash, Particulate Science and Technology, 42(4), 516–526, 2024.
  17. C. Kishor, H. Chawla, S. Sadhu, S. S. Mallick, The effect of physical properties of pond ash as a partial replacement of sand in the mortar mix, Particulate Science and Technology, 42(7), 1178–1193, 2024.
  18. Sharma, S. S. Mallick, An investigation into pressure drop through bends in pneumatic conveying systems, Particulate Science and Technology, 39(2), 180–191, 2021.
  19. K. Sharma, S. S. Mallick, A. Mittal, An evaluation of testing and modeling procedure for solids friction factor for fluidized dense-phase pneumatic conveying of fine powders, Particulate Science and Technology, 39(1), 62–73, 2021.
  20. K. Sharma, S. S. Mallick, A. Mittal, A study of energy loss due to particle-to-particle and wall collisions during fluidized dense-phase pneumatic transport, Powder Technology, 362, 707–716, 2020.
  21. K. Sharma, S. S. Mallick, A. Mittal, P. W. Wypych, Modelling solids friction for fluidized dense-phase pneumatic conveying, Particulate Science and Technology, 38(4), 391–403, 2020.
  22. Sharma, S. S. Mallick, Modelling pressure drop in bends for pneumatic conveying of fine powders, Powder Technology, 356, 273–283, 2019.
  23. V. Garg, S. S. Mallick, P. Garcia-Trinanes, R. J. Berry, An investigation into the flowability of fine powders used in pharmaceutical industries, Powder Technology, 336, 375–382, 2018.
  24. K. Sharma, S. S. Mallick, A. Mittal, R. Pan, On developing improved modelling for particle velocity and solids friction for fluidized dense-phase pneumatic transport systems, Powder Technology, 332, 41–55, 2018.
  25. R. Rohilla, V. Garg, S. S. Mallick, G. Setia, An experimental investigation on the effect of particle size on the flowability of fly ash, Powder Technology, 330, 164–173, 2018.
  26. S. S. Mallick, R. Rohilla, V. Garg, G. Setia, Modeling flow properties of fine dry powders using particle morphological properties and its effects on geometry of fly ash evacuation hoppers, Particulate Science and Technology, 36(4), 464–472, 2018.
  27. B. Kaur, A. Mittal, S. Jana, S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Stability and phase space analysis of fluidized dense-phase pneumatic transport system, Powder Technology, 330, 190–200, 2018.
  28. L. Kundan, S. S. Mallick, Effect of time-dependent morphological parameters of nanoclusters on perikinetic heat conduction and induced micro-convection mechanisms of oxide-based nanofluids, Experimental Heat and Mass Transfer, 31(3), 251–274, 2018.
  29. B. Kaur, A. Mittal, P. W. Wypych, S. S. Mallick, S. Jana, On developing improved modelling and scale-up procedures for pneumatic conveying of fine powders, Powder Technology, 305, 270–278, 2017.
  30. B. Kaur, A. Mittal, S. S. Mallick, R. Pan, S. Jana, Numerical simulation of fluidized dense-phase pneumatic conveying of powders, Particuology, 35, 42–50, 2017.
  31. L. Kundan, S. S. Mallick, B. Pal, Effect of nanocluster growth on heat conduction in nanofluids, Powder Technology, 311, 273–286, 2017.
  32. B. Pal, S. S. Mallick, B. Pal, Dispersion stability and thermal conductivity of WO₃–H₂O suspension, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 17, 1–8, 2017.
  33. G. Setia, S. S. Mallick, R. Pan, P. W. Wypych, Modeling solids friction for dense-phase pneumatic transport, Particuology, 30, 83–91, 2017.
  34. L. Kundan, S. S. Mallick, B. Pal, Optimization of nanocluster-based thermal conductivity using Box–Behnken design, Particulate Science and Technology, 35(3), 265–276, 2017.
  35. L. Kundan, S. S. Mallick, B. Pal, Thermal conductivity of TiO₂ nanofluid considering morphology, Heat and Mass Transfer, 53(6), 1873–1890, 2017.
  36. Goel, A. Mittal, S. S. Mallick, A. Sharma, Transient pressure pulses using Shannon entropy in pneumatic conveying, Particuology, 29, 143–153, 2016.
  37. Mittal, S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Transition of flow mechanisms in dense-phase pneumatic conveying, Particulate Science and Technology, 34(1), 23–32, 2016.
  38. G. Setia, S. S. Mallick, R. Pan, P. W. Wypych, Two-layer modelling of solids friction, Powder Technology, 294, 80–92, 2016.
  39. G. Setia, S. S. Mallick, Dense-phase pneumatic conveying of fly ash, Powder Technology, 270, 39–45, 2015.
  40. G. Setia, S. S. Mallick, R. Pan, P. W. Wypych, Minimum transport boundary modelling, Powder Technology, 277, 244–251, 2015.
  41. Mittal, S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Pressure fluctuations in dense-phase conveying, Powder Technology, 277, 163–170, 2015.
  42. Pal, S. S. Mallick, B. Pal, Thermophysical properties of Al₂O₃ suspensions, Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 25, 99–104, 2015.
  43. N. Tripathi, A. Sharma, S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Energy loss in bends for pneumatic conveying, Particuology, 21, 65–73, 2015.
  44. Mittal, G. Setia, S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Improved modelling of solids friction, Particulate Science and Technology, 33, 67–75, 2015.
  45. Pal, S. S. Mallick, B. Pal, Thermal conductivity of CuO nanostructures, Colloids and Surfaces A, 459, 282–289, 2014.
  46. Pal, S. S. Mallick, B. Pal, Shape-dependent thermal conductivity of TiO₂ dispersions, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 14, 1–7, 2014.
  47. M. Mittal, S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Pressure fluctuations in dense-phase pneumatic conveying, Particuology, 16, 187–195, 2014.
  48. G. Setia, S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Improving solids friction factor modelling, Powder Technology, 257, 88–103, 2014.
  49. Mishra, L. Kundan, S. S. Mallick, Thermal conductivity of alumina nanofluids, Particulate Science and Technology, 32, 319–326, 2014.
  50. G. Setia, S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, R. Pan, Scale-up procedure for blockage prediction, Particuology, 11, 657–663, 2013.
  51. Bansal, S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Straight-pipe pneumatic conveying characteristics, Particulate Science and Technology, 31(4), 348–356, 2013.
  52. S. S. Mallick, A. Mishra, L. Kundan, Thermal conductivity modelling of nanofluids, Powder Technology, 233, 234–244, 2013.
  53. S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, R. Pan, Dense-phase pneumatic conveying modelling, Particulate Science and Technology, 31, 340–347, 2012.
  54. S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Scale-up procedures for dense-phase conveying, Particulate Science and Technology, 29, 407–427, 2011.
  55. S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Evaluation of system approach for pneumatic conveying, Particulate Science and Technology, 28, 40–50, 2010.
  56. S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Modelling solids friction in dense-phase conveying, Particulate Science and Technology, 28, 51–66, 2010.
  57. S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Minimum transport boundaries for pneumatic conveying, Powder Technology, 194, 181–186, 2009.
  58. S. S. Mallick, P. W. Wypych, Solids friction modelling for dense-phase pneumatic conveying, Particulate Science and Technology, 27, 444–455, 2009.

 

 

Design Guide for Industry

 

  1. Pneumatic Conveying Design Guide, 2020, for NTPC for design of 500/600/660/800 MW power stations

 

 

Sponsored Research Projects

 

  1. To Optimize Coal and Agro-Wastes Mixing and Feeding for Co- Milling for Thermal Power Plants with Minimum Changes to Installed Systems and Operations, Department of Science & Technology (DST), 2024-2026, Rs. 1,76,18,280
  2. On Optimizing Blow Tank Profile and Weight for Reliable Dense-Phase Pneumatic Conveying of Ash, Rieco Industries Ltd., 2023, Rs. 11,00,000
  3. Development of Affordable Dust Cleaning Systems with High Operational Flexibility for Mega Solar Power Projects, Department of Science & Technology, DST, 2021-2024, Rs. 47,58,585
  4. On Developing Reliable Scale-up Procedures and Design Optimization for Pneumatic Fly Ash Conveying Systems for 500/800/1000 MW Units, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), 2018-2020, Rs. 1,15,00,000
  5. Developing Validated Scale-up Procedure for Dense-Phase Pneumatic Transport of Fine Powders using Two-Layer Dune-Flow Model, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), 2013-2016, Rs. 20,00,000
  6. Modelling Solids Friction and Minimum Transport Criteria for Dense-Phase Pneumatic Conveying of Powders, Department of Science & Technology (DST-SERB), 2012-2015, Rs. 21,95,000

 

 

Industrial Consultancy Projects

 

  1. Flow property study of ash, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), 2026
  2. Flow property study of ash, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), 2026
  3. Pneumatic ash conveying training, NTPC, 2026
  4. Flow property study of ash, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), 2025
  5. Flow property study of ash, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), 2025
  6. Flow property study of metal powders, SML Powders Pvt. Ltd., 2025
  7. Flow property study of ash, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), 2025
  8. Design review of pneumatic ash conveying systems in power plants, Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited (OPGC), 2024
  9. Powder characterization study, Schenck Process India Limited, 2024
  10. Powder characterization study, Merrick Industries Private Limited, 2023
  11. Powder characterization study, Rieco Industries Limited, 2023
  12. Study of pneumatic conveying of powders, Rieco Industries Limited, 2023
  13. Study of ash conveying systems in power plants, Jindal Steel & Power, 2023
  14. Study of pneumatic powder conveying systems, Tata Jamipol, 2022
  15. Study of pneumatic ash conveying systems in power plants, NTPC–APGCL Jhajjar, 2022
  16. Study of pneumatic ash conveying systems in power plants, NTPC Darlipali, 2022
  17. Study of pneumatic ash conveying systems in power plants, NTPC Kahalgaon, 2022
  18. Study of pneumatic ash conveying systems in power plants, Larsen & Toubro (L&T–NPL), 2022
  19. Flow property study of fly ash, KC Cottrell, 2021
  20. Flow property study of powders, Airlock India Pvt. Ltd., 2021
  21. Pneumatic ash conveying training, NTPC, 2020
  22. Study of pneumatic conveying of ash in power plants, Tata Power – MPL, 2020
  23. Study of pneumatic conveying of ash in power plants, Tata Power – PPGCL, 2021
  24. Study of pneumatic conveying of ash in power plants, Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited (OPGC), 2019
  25. Study of pneumatic conveying of ash in power plants, Hindalco Industries Limited, 2019
  26. Pneumatic conveying training, Aditya Birla Group, 2018
  27. Salt characterization study, Aditya Birla Group, 2018
  28. Study of pneumatic conveying of ash in power plants, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) – Hisar, 2016
  29. Study of pneumatic conveying of ash in power plants, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) – Panipat, 2016
  30. Study of ash conveying systems in power plants, Reliance Infrastructure Limited – Rosa, 2015
  31. Fly ash characterization study, BGR Energy Systems Limited, 2015
  32. Study of pneumatic conveying of ash in power plants, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) – Yamunanagar, 2014
  33. Study of pneumatic conveying of ash in power plants, McNally Bharat Engineering Company Limited, 2014
  34. Study of pneumatic conveying of ash in power plants, McNally Bharat Engineering Company Limited, 2011
  35. Study of pneumatic conveying of ash in power plants, McNally Bharat Engineering Company Limited, 2011

 

 

Product Design and Development Projects (Lab Spin-off Ventures)

 

  1. Development of powder feeder, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), 2026
  2. Development of powder tester, Rajdeep Engineering Private Limited, 2026
  3. Development of powder tester, Varroc Engineering Limited, 2026
  4. Development of powder tester, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET), 2026
  5. Development of powder tester, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), 2025
  6. Development of powder tester, Appex International, 2025
  7. Development of powder tester, SHIVA Engineering Services, 2025
  8. Development of powder tester, Indpro Engineering Systems Private Limited, 2024
  9. Development of powder tester, Rieco Industries Limited, 2023
  10. Development of powder feeder, KC Cottrell, 2021

 

 

Thesis Supervision

 

  • PhD (Doctorate thesis): 10 (8 completed, 2 ongoing)
  • ME (Post Graduate thesis): 30 (completed)

 

 

Laboratory Developed: Powder Flow Laboratory

 

Sponsors - NTPC, DST, DST-SERB, CSIR, TIET, Rieco Industries Ltd

  • Pneumatic pressure conveying rig
  • Pneumatic vacuum conveying rig
  • Hopper test rig with aeration and heating pad
  • Blow tank rig
  • Powder flow property tester – PFT
  • Jenike shear cell tester
  • Powder sifting segregation tester
  • Powder fluidization segregation tester
  • Powder fluidization-deaeration tester
  • Powder floodability tester
  • Powder chute tester
  • Hall flow meter (powder bulk density tester)
  • Scott volumeter (powder bulk density tester)
  • Powder tap density tester
  • Powder compressible bulk density tester
  • Powder angle of repose tester
  • Tumbling tester
  • Friability tester
  • Biomass breaking energy tester
  • Solar PV panel dust cleaning test rig
  • Thermal property analyzer – KD2Pro
  • Rheometer – Brookfield LVDV II and YR1
  • DEM Software
  • CFD Software
  • Workstation

 

 

International Conferences and Industry Meet Organized (Principal Coordinator)

 

  • Industry Meet on Biomass and MSW Cofiring in Thermal Power Plants, March 6, 2024
  • Powder Technology Conclave, March 6-8, 2024, TIET, Patiala
  • 3rd International Conference on Powder, Granule and Bulk Solids: Innovations and Applications (PGBSIA 2020), February 26 to 28, 2020, TIET, Patiala
  • 2nd International Conference on Powder, Granule and Bulk Solids: Innovations and Applications (PGBSIA 2016), December 1 to 3, 2016, Hotel Ramada, Jaipur
  • 1st International Conference on Powder, Granule and Bulk Solids: Innovations and Applications (PGBSIA 2013), November 28 to 30, 1 to 3, TIET, Patiala

 

 

Industrial Training Organized (Principal Coordinator)

 

  • Industrial Training course on Powder Handling, November 2023, Patiala
  • Industrial Training course on Powder Handling, June 2023, Patiala
  • Industrial Training course on Powder Handling, November 2022, Patiala
  • Industrial Training course on Powder Handling, June 2022, Patiala
  • Workshop on Pharmaceutical powder handling (Online), September 26, 2020
  • Industrial Training course on Fly ash handling, December 2019, TIET, Patiala
  • Industrial Training course on Fly ash handling, May 2019, TIET, Patiala
  • Industrial Training course on Bulk Solids Handling System, February 2018, Delhi
  • Industrial Training course on Fly ash handling, April 10-11, 2015 , TIET, Patiala

 

 

Lectures in Industry Forum

 

  • Indian Power Stations Conference, NTPC, 2026
  • Indian Power Stations Conference, NTPC, 2025
  • Indian Power Stations Conference, NTPC, 2024
  • SSS-National Institute of Bio Energy (workshop for NTPC), 2024
  • NTPC Power Management Institute, 2022
  • TATA Power Limited, 2021
  • Aditya Birla Group, 2019
  • Indian Power Stations Conference, NTPC, 2019
  • TATA Steel - TISCO, 2018
  • Indian Power Stations Conference, NTPC, 2018
  • Neyveli Lignite Corporation - NLC, 2018
  • Indian Power Stations Conference, NTPC, 2017
  • Indian Power Stations Conference, NTPC, 2016
  • Indian Power Stations Conference, NTPC, 2015
  • Fujian Longking Co., China, 2014
  • Indian Power Stations Conference, NTPC, 2013
  • Indian Power Stations Conference, NTPC, 2012
  • NTPC Power Management Institute, 2009

 

 

Scholarly Services

 

  • PhD thesis examination, School of MMM, UoW Australia, 2022
  • PhD thesis examination, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, 2019
  • Associate Editor, Particulate Science and Technology, Taylor & Francis, 2016-2021
  • Reviewer in Powder Technology, Particuology, Chemical Engineering Science etc.
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