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consultants, OEM & EPC firms, financial institutions, NOx control technologies to significantly reduce NO
x
and industry experts pitched in to address the various levels in the flue gas and is required for new power
associated hurdles to the progress path. plants.

Hence, reducing SO emissions is the epicentre for
Taking a cue from its legacy of being the first 2
engineering consultant to introduce SO abatement meeting the regulations. Central Electricity Authority
2
technology in India, way back in the 1980s, TCE geared (CEA) identified about 168 GW generating capacity
up to contribute to the cause of achieving improved air comprising 444 units for compliance through the
quality, preventing climate change, and making the retrofit of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems.
environment a better place to live in by leveraging its The implementation process of these regulations
rich experience and knowledge of over five decades in was segmented into a staged approach, with Stage-I
the power industry. Exclusive in-house Design Suites being feasibility study & basic engineering, Stage-II is
were developed & automated for fuel/plant-specific tendering/bidding process till order placement.
emission analysis & accurate pollution control system At the same time, Stage-III involves detailed
design calculations. A dedicated & skilled cross- engineering & site execution/ construction.
functional team was formed to pioneer projects and Some of the prevalent FGD technologies explored
provide consultancy support to plant owners, EPCs, & analysed in India are Wet Limestone based, Sea
OEMs, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders in Water-based, Dry/Semi-Dry based, Ammonia-based,
this domain. Sorbent or Polymer-based FGD systems. Several other
Mercury in domestic coal is present in a negligible technology alternatives and the merits & demerits of
amount, and hence most power plants do not require these options were carefully evaluated to arrive at the
a separate technology for mercury control. SPM control optimal plant-specific technology solution. The crucial
systems like Fabric Filters, Electro-Static Precipitators factors influencing the selection & design of FGD are
(ESP) were already installed in the existing coal- fuel firing, site & layout specific aspects, GGH & stack
based TPPs to meet the previous regulations, this configurations, suitable liners, water, performance
technology (in only a few cases) required up-gradation/ parameters, implementation time and finally life cycle
modifications. NO emission control could be achieved cost analysis (Capex + Capitalised OPEX).
x
through either Primary combustion NOx control or Considering practical challenges, the deadline for
a combination of Primary and Post-combustion NO compliance with environmental regulations was
x
control technologies. Popular primary NO control extended by MOEF & CC from 2017 to a more realistic
x
methods involved reducing NO during the combustion schedule till 2022. CEA also developed a phased unit-
x
process by installing Low NO burners in place of wise schedule of FGD implementation for smoother
x
existing burners, combustion tuning & zoning, excess execution & power supply reliability in consultation
air optimisation & control, separated/coupled overfire with the power producers. Considering market trends &
air systems, or their combinations. Post Combustion cost of technology, retrofit, and the cumulative capital
control technologies like Selective Non-Catalytic investment, these initiatives are estimated to cross
Reduction (SNCR), Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), over INR 1 Lakh Crores, one of the largest modern-day
Hybrid SCR-SNCR, etc. can be used alongside Primary investments in the Indian power industry.

The current status of FGD
Central Sector* State Sector* Private Sector*
implementation is varying between
55260 MW 53225 MW 61237 MW
100% 100% 100% the Central, State and Private
Planned 149 Units Planned 149 Units Planned 149 Units
Sectors with Central sector units
55260 MW 47515 MW 53247 MW
100% 86% 96.3% taking the lead with over 60% of
FR 149 Units FR 152 Units FR 111 Units
the Central TPPs completing stage-II
53370 MW 31865 MW 45142 MW
96.5% 57.6% 81.7% (Tendering & Order Placement) and
Tech Spec 140 Units Tech Spec 97 Units Tech Spec 90 Units
commencing Stage-III (Execution &
53370 MW 26745 MW 42742 MW
96.5% 48.4% 77.3%
NIT Issued 140 Units NIT Issued 76 Units NIT Issued 85 Units construction).
34250 MW 2630 MW 11160 MW
61.9% 4.8% 20.2%
Bids Award 77 Units Bids Award 7 Units Bids Award 20 Units Note: FGD's already commissioned/operating include
NTPC Vindhyachal, CLP Mahatma Gandhi TPP, TATA
420 MW 0 MW 1320 MW Power Trombay Unit 5, Adani Power Mudra Units
100% 0% 2.39%
Completed 2 Units Completed 0 Units Completed 2 Units 7,8,9, Adani Power Udupi (partial), IL&FS Cuddalore
TPP, JSW Energy Ratnagiri Plant (partial), Reliance
0 20000 40000 60000 0 20000 40000 60000 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 Dahanu
Source: CEA
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