G Jayaraman, Executive President, Birla Corporation
Bcl was rewarded with a Carbon Emission Reduction Certificate for 1 lakh tonnes of CO2, which the company traded on the UNFCCI platform. G Jayaraman, Executive President, Birla Corporation shares more about their success with Indian Cement Review. Excerpts from the interview.
What is the stated goal of Birla Corporation for reducing carbon emissions in the next three years?
Birla Corporation (BCL) has taken up the initiative to reduce carbon footprint by adapting energy efficiency in all units. BCL was rewarded carbon emission reduction certificate for 1 lakh tonnes of CO2, which the company successfully traded on the UNFCCI platform. As a roadmap for the coming three years, BCL is focusing on renewal energy, basically solar and biomass powered plants.
What are the strategies in place to conserve the fossil fuel through the use of AFR in your plants?
Optimisation of fuel mix is regular practice in all the units which stabilise the fuel feed to the pyro-process. Our coal washery at Satna is under stabilisation which will convert low- grade coal to useful coal for the kiln. The reject coal will be utilised for power generation in a CFBC boiler.
Brief us on the thrust given to renewable energy sources.
At Satna, 1.5 MW solar power plant is in advance stage of installation and it will produce solar power in June 2013. A 32 KW Biogassifier has also been installed as a small scale model unit. We are planning to install bigger solar power station and 1.5 mw biomass based gassifier project.
Could you throw some light on the initiative of reducing your carbon footprint through WHR systems?
All the six kilns of BCL at Satna and Chanderia units have WHRS in pre-heater and cooler circuit. The total installed capacity of WHRS in all the units is 24 megawatt which generates power from waste unutilised heat from the process and saves substantial amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Tell us about your high efficiency pollution control equipment?
Our state-of-the-art pollution control equipment helps to maintains emission target below 20 gms/m3.
What are the steps initiated to reduce water consumption in your plants?
Satna and Chittor units fall under low rainfall area, the water conservation is in place for last ten years which supports running of cement plant, CPD, and colony requirements. From rain water harvesting to waste water treatment and recycling water have been our most essential part of factory operation.
How green is BCL’s operation, from mining to production and despatch of cement?
Energy monitoring system is in place in all the plants in BCL. Important steps taken are as follows:
i) Optimisation of lead from mines face to crusher.
ii) Use higher capacity HEME for fuel optimisation.
iii) Installed belt conveyor for crushed limestone conveying from mines to plant.
iv) Use VRM, pre grinder and roll press for different grinding process.
v) Latest pre-heater, coolers installed.
vi) Plant running in auto mode through different optimisation packages.
How do you assess the PAT scheme?
The PAT scheme is a driver for the industry to take up different important measures to reduce overall specific energy consumption. These steps will finally improve the bottom line of company by way of saving energy bill.
Will BCL be opting for a Greenco rating for its plants?
This is under active consideration.
How do you assess the challenges on the logistics front?
Movement of different raw material and finished goods are being monitored on a day-to-day basis. Sourcing of raw material and dispatch of finished goods are done from and to optimised distances.
Where does the company see itself in future in terms of reducing its carbon footprint?
BCL is in the forefront in carbon reduction mechanism. To achieve a greener target, BCL is now focusing on renewal energy which will help reduce our carbon footprint and take a leadership position in the industry.
Will there be a shift towards the production of more blended cements than OPC, and will you be reintroducing masonry cements?
BCL is already producing more than 90 per cent of its product as blended cement in all the units. Masonry cement introduction is yet to be taken up.