Mr. Vikrant P. Katekar will present his pre-synopsis as per the details below:-
Date: 17th April 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (IST)
Venue: C-TARA Conference Room No. 1.
Title: Development of a Solar Thermal Hydrodistillation System for Decentralised Rosewater Production from Waste Rose Flowers for Creating Rural Livelihoods
Guides: Prof. Anand B. Rao and Prof. Vishal R. Sardeshpande.
RPC members: Prof. Sanjay Mahajani and Prof. Bakul Rao.
Abstract:
Post-harvest losses in rose flowers, estimated at 25-40%, result in significant economic losses and contribute to farmer distress, driven by high perishability, limited storage, and price volatility. In rural areas, the lack of affordable, decentralised processing technologies further limits opportunities for value addition. Among various floral crops, rose was selected for this study because of its widespread cultivation, regular availability, established demand for rosewater, and suitability for hydrodistillation.
An assessment of existing floral processing technologies shows that most systems require high capital investment (₹5-25 lakh) and depend on external energy sources, limiting their adoption in rural contexts. To address this gap, a solar thermal hydrodistillation (STHD) system was designed and developed with a focus on decentralised operation, low cost, and ease of use. The system, with an absorber area of 1.5 m², operates under solar irradiance of 650-750 W/m² and processes 3 kg of rose petals per batch using a 1:3 petal-to-water ratio, producing approximately 7-8 litres of rosewater.
Experimental evaluation showed a recovery of about 60.8% and an energy efficiency of around 35%, with operation possible for nearly 9-10 months in a year without external energy input. Design modifications, including an increase in absorber surface area by 27.3%, improved thermal performance and yield. Quality analysis of the produced rosewater confirmed the presence of key aroma compounds, including aromatic alcohols (~47.5%), phenolic compounds (~26.9%), and monoterpene alcohols (~23.3%), with a shelf life of 10-12 months, indicating suitability for cosmetic and wellness applications.
A financial model for small-scale production indicates that the system can be established with an investment of approximately ₹1,00,000, generating an annual income of ₹1.3-₹1.5 lakh and a payback period of 3 years. Field deployment of more than 30 units across multiple locations in India demonstrates the system’s adaptability under rural conditions. Adoption by self-help groups (SHGs), farmers, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), with women’s participation exceeding 50-60%, highlights its potential for inclusive livelihood generation.
The study demonstrates that decentralised solar-based processing of rose flowers into rosewater can reduce post-harvest losses, enable local value addition, and generate sustainable rural income. It highlights the importance of integrating technical performance, economic viability, product quality, and field applicability in the development of rural technologies.