FLUE GAS DE-SULPHURISATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy has informed about the installation of Flue Gas De-sulphurisation (FGD) equipment in thermal power plants.

Flue Gas De-sulphurisation (FGD) Equipment

• About: It is a set of technologies used to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2) from exhaust flue gases of fossil-fuel power plants, and from the emissions of other sulfur oxide emitting processes such as waste incineration, petroleum refineries, cement and lime kilns.
• Three variants: Wet Flue Gas Desulphurisation (WFGD), Spray Dryer Absorber (SDA) and Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI).
• Features

oOver 300 FGD plants have been distributed globally and have garnered a significant market share because of the following attributes:

oThey demonstrate high efficiency in removing SO2, meeting mandated emission standards for all types of fossil fuels.

oThey offer diverse pollutant control capabilities through environmental control equipment.

oThey are renowned for their high reliability.

oThey contribute to energy and utility savings.

Steps are taken to reduce emission by Thermal Power Companies

• They are required to meet the environmental pollution standard set by MoEF&CC from time to time.
• Thermal Power Plants of total capacity of about 181 GW is covered under Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) Scheme and they are given mandatory targets to reduce their specific energy consumption i.e. Net Heat Rate.
• As per revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) submitted to United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in August, 2022, India’s target is to achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity by 2030 from non- fossil fuel-based energy resources to reduce the Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions.
• Ministry of Power has issued revised policy on Bio-mass Utilization for Power Generation through Co-firing in Coal based Power Plants to use 5-10% blend of biomass pellets made, primarily of agro-residue along with coal.