{"id":162703,"date":"2025-04-19T19:17:43","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T13:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=162703"},"modified":"2025-04-19T19:17:43","modified_gmt":"2025-04-19T13:47:43","slug":"flue-gas-desulphurisation","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/flue-gas-desulphurisation","title":{"rendered":"Flue Gas Desulphurisation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A recent<\/span><b> National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study urges rollback of <\/span><b>India\u2019s 2015 mandate requiring all coal-fired plants <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to install <\/span><b>Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) units.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Rationale behind rolling back of the mandate<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Low Sulphur Coal Usage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 92% of Indian coal has low sulphur (0.3%\u20130.5%), making universal FGD installation unnecessary, as per NIAS and IIT-Delhi data.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Environmental Trade-offs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> FGDs <\/span><b>would raise power and freshwater use<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, adding<\/span><b> 69 million tonnes CO\u2082 (2025\u201330)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while only <\/span><b>cutting 17 million tonnes SO\u2082<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, worsening climate impact.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cost-effective Alternatives Exist: Electrostatic precipitators<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by BHEL cost \u20b925 lakh\/MW (vs \u20b91.2 crore\/MW for FGD) and reduce particulate matter by 99%, offering better pollution control.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>About Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>FGD :<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It\u00a0 is a scrubbing method that utilizes an alkaline reagent, typically sodium- or calcium-based, to remove<\/span><b> sulfur dioxide (SO\u2082)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the flue gas emissions of\u00a0 coal-fired power plants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Effectiveness:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> FGD can remove <\/span><b>up to 95% of sulfur dioxide from flue gas,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> significantly reducing SO\u2082 emissions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Flue Gas Composition:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Also known as exhaust or stack gas, flue gas originates from combustion plants and contains a mix of pollutants, including particulate matter (dust), sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may contain pollutants such as<\/span><b> particulates, sulfur dioxide, mercury, and carbon dioxide,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but most flue gas consists of <\/span><b>nitrogen oxides<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Untreated flue gas from power plants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, industrial facilities, and other sources can significantly impact local and regional air quality.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Process Overview:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In the scrubber or absorber tower, uncleaned flue gas is sprayed with a mixture of water and limestone (scrubbing slurry), which reacts with sulfur dioxide and binds it, preventing its release into the atmosphere.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Impact of Sulphur Dioxide in the Environment<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Major Air Pollutant: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sulphur dioxide is a severe environmental pollutant, harmful to human, animal, and plant health.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Acid Rain Precursor:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> SO\u2082 contributes to acid rain, which harms forests, freshwaters, and soils.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acid rain disrupts ecosystems by killing insects and aquatic life forms, damaging vegetation, and reducing biodiversity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It causes damage to infrastructure and materials causing paint to peel and corrodes steel structures such as bridges.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accelerates the weathering of stone buildings and statues, eroding cultural and historic landmarks<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Electrostatic Precipitators vs FGD<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.5981%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.9399%; text-align: center;\"><b>Aspect<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 39.9881%; text-align: center;\"><b>Electrostatic Precipitators<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 42.189%; text-align: center;\"><b>Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.9399%;\"><b>Primary Purpose<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 39.9881%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electrostatic precipitators are designed to <\/span><b>remove particulate matter (PM) from flue gases.<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 42.189%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flue Gas Desulphurisation systems are used to <\/span><b>remove sulphur dioxide (SO\u2082) from emissions.<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.9399%;\"><b>Cost of Installation<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 39.9881%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They cost approximately <\/span><b>\u20b925 lakh per megawatt (MW) to install.<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 42.189%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are significantly more expensive, costing around <\/span><b>\u20b91.2 crore per megawatt (MW).<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.9399%;\"><b>Efficiency of Pollution Control<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 39.9881%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These systems can remove up to 99% of PM emissions, making them highly effective.<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 42.189%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FGDs reduce SO\u2082 emissions but have limited impact on other pollutants like PM.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.9399%;\"><b>Resource Consumption<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 39.9881%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electrostatic precipitators require less water and energy, making them more sustainable.<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 42.189%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FGDs consume more water and electricity, increasing overall environmental and operational load.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.9399%;\"><b>Relevance to Indian Coal<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 39.9881%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are highly relevant due to the high ash content of Indian coal.<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 42.189%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their effectiveness is limited, as 92% of Indian coal has low sulphur content.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Also Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Editorials<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Main Answer Writing<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-previous-year-papers?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Previous+Year+Papers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-test-series-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Test Series<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-modules?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Modules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A recent National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) study urges rollback of India\u2019s 2015 mandate requiring all coal-fired plants to install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) units.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":162683,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2089],"subject":[2092],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/162703"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/current-affairs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=162703"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/162703\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":162705,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/162703\/revisions\/162705"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/162683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=162703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=162703"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=162703"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=162703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}