Environment

The Pet Coke Conundrum

Published

8 years ago

March 31, 2017

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We are buying the world’s dirtiest fuel as if we have no worries of air pollution. This needs to change, says Sunita Narain, Director General of Centre for Science and Environment and Editor of Down To Earth magazine.
In Hinduism, the God of destruction is more powerful than the God of creation. There is an environmental lesson here. Today we are creating stuff u and lots of it u which is not possible to destroy in our lifetime. Think of plastic or carbon dioxide emissions. Or think of pet coke, a petroleum industry by-product. It is extremely polluting because of its high sulphur content as well as emissions of heavy metals and mercury. In fact, it’s the pollution that has been transferred from one product to another. Over the years, we have progressively improved the quality of fuel for automobiles. To do this, the sulphur content in petrol and diesel has been reduced from 10,000 ppm in the mid-1990s to 50 ppm today. To meet BS VI vehicle emission standards, refineries will further bring down sulphur to 10 ppm or lower. Only then can the after-treatment devices installed in vehicles work. We thought once this is done, the problem of air pollution will go away. Wrong. The fact is that the same sulphur, which is removed from the fuel, ends up in the waste product, pet coke. There are no regulations for pet coke quality. Its sulphur levels are between 65,000 ppm and 75,000 ppm! This, when burnt, will greatly add to air pollution. It is just that instead of the tailpipe, emission will be emitted from the chimney.A BLACK HOLE
The question then is what can be done with this by-product. The best would be to find a way to use it without adding to the pollution. But for this, we need to have a policy for pet coke. Currently, it is literally a black hole. At present, India produces 12-13 million tonnes (MT) of pet coke. But what is most alarming is that our imports are soaring. This fiscal year till November, we had already imported 10 MT of pet coke, which is equal to the total imports of the previous year. At this rate, we could end up with some 30 MT of pet coke by year-end, which is roughly equal to what China was using at its peak in 2014.
It is no wonder then that today pollution is the only business in which India is rivalling China. The latest Global Burden of Disease report shows not just the high levels of air pollution and early deaths in Indian cities u roughly 1 million a year u but also that the total number is matching China. Worse, while China is beginning to bend the curve on pollution, with the growth in the number of early deaths linked to pollution slowing down, ours is rising steeply.
This is the big difference between China and India. This is also where pet coke comes in. In 2014, Chinese premier Li Keqiang declared war on pollution. China set targets for the reduction of coal power plants and now has also come down on the use of pet coke. It is clear from global trade information. China was the largest importer of pet coke from the US, finds the 2015 paper from the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy in Beijing. In 2013, US pet coke exports to China accounted for 75 per cent of its total and were as high as 7 MT. It is also important to note that the US, with the world’s biggest oil refinery capacity, has massive pet coke to dispose of u some 36 MT in 2014. This is increasing as the country is now refining more and more heavy oil, like the Canadian tar sands, which produce more pet coke by volume. The country’s new President Donald Trump’s approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, to bring more tar sands oil to the US for refining, means even more pet coke will be produced. All this will have to be sold in the global market. That’s because the US is using less and less of its domestic manufacture, precisely because of pollution concerns. The country’s Environment Protection Agency has mandated rules for pet coke storage, as it fears contamination from heavy metals and particulates. The US is moving to cleaner natural or shale gas. And it needs to dump this dirty fuel on the world. With the Chinese getting smarter about their air, we are the takers of this fuel. We are buying the world’s dirtiest fuel as if we have no worries of air pollution. THE WAY AHEAD
So, what is the way ahead? First, we should ensure that we utilise our domestic pet coke and do not end up dumping it on others like the US does. But this also means we should stop the import of cheap pet coke. Second, we should use domestic pet coke only in the industries where emissions can be controlled. For instance, in the cement industry’s clinker plants. But all other uses should be stopped. More importantly, in this circular economy of the world, where products do not die but have to be reused, we have to be smart, very smart. We cannot be the dustbin of the world. We have our own garbage that is drowning us and killing us, and not even softly anymore. About the author
Sunita Narain is Director General, Centre for Science and Environment. The article first appeared in the author’s blog ‘Down to Earth’ dated February 27th, 2017.

Concrete

India donates 225t of cement for Myanmar earthquake relief

Published

4 weeks ago

June 17, 2025

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On 23 May 2025, the Indian Navy ship UMS Myitkyina arrived at Thilawa (MITT) port carrying 225 tonnes of cement provided by the Indian government to aid post-earthquake rebuilding efforts in Myanmar. As reported by the Global Light of Myanmar, a formal handover of 4500 50kg cement bags took place that afternoon. The Yangon Region authorities managed the loading of the cement onto trucks for distribution to the earthquake-affected zones.

Concrete

Reclamation of Used Oil for a Greener Future

Published

4 weeks ago

June 16, 2025

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In this insightful article, KB Mathur, Founder and Director, Global Technical Services, explores how reclaiming used lubricants through advanced filtration and on-site testing can drive cost savings, enhance productivity, and support a greener industrial future. Read on to discover how oil regeneration is revolutionising sustainability in cement and core industries.

The core principle of the circular economy is to redefine the life cycle of materials and products. Unlike traditional linear models where waste from industrial production is dumped/discarded into the environment causing immense harm to the environment;the circular model seeks to keep materials literally in continuous circulation. This is achievedthrough processes cycle of reduction, regeneration, validating (testing) and reuse. Product once
validated as fit, this model ensures that products and materials are reintroduced into the production system, minimising waste. The result? Cleaner and greener manufacturing that fosters a more sustainable planet for future generations.

The current landscape of lubricants
Modern lubricants, typically derived from refined hydrocarbons, made from highly refined petroleum base stocks from crude oil. These play a critical role in maintaining the performance of machinery by reducing friction, enabling smooth operation, preventing damage and wear. However, most of these lubricants; derived from finite petroleum resources pose an environmental challenge once used and disposed of. As industries become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, the paramount importance or focus is shifting towards reducing the carbon footprint and maximising the lifespan of lubricants; not just for environmental reasons but also to optimise operational costs.
During operations, lubricants often lose their efficacy and performance due to contamination and depletion of additives. When these oils reach their rejection limits (as they will now offer poor or bad lubrication) determined through laboratory testing, they are typically discarded contributing to environmental contamination and pollution.
But here lies an opportunity: Used lubricants can be regenerated and recharged, restoring them to their original performance level. This not only mitigates environmental pollution but also supports a circular economy by reducing waste and conserving resources.

Circular economy in lubricants
In the world of industrial machinery, lubricating oils while essential; are often misunderstood in terms of their life cycle. When oils are used in machinery, they don’t simply ‘DIE’. Instead, they become contaminated with moisture (water) and solid contaminants like dust, dirt, and wear debris. These contaminants degrade the oil’s effectiveness but do not render it completely unusable. Used lubricants can be regenerated via advanced filtration processes/systems and recharged with the use of performance enhancing additives hence restoring them. These oils are brought back to ‘As-New’ levels. This new fresher lubricating oil is formulated to carry out its specific job providing heightened lubrication and reliable performance of the assets with a view of improved machine condition. Hence, contributing to not just cost savings but leading to magnified productivity, and diminished environmental stress.

Save oil, save environment
At Global Technical Services (GTS), we specialise in the regeneration of hydraulic oils and gear oils used in plant operations. While we don’t recommend the regeneration of engine oils due to the complexity of contaminants and additives, our process ensures the continued utility of oils in other applications, offering both cost-saving and environmental benefits.

Regeneration process
Our regeneration plant employs state-of-the-art advanced contamination removal systems including fine and depth filters designed to remove dirt, wear particles, sludge, varnish, and water. Once contaminants are removed, the oil undergoes comprehensive testing to assess its physico-chemical properties and contamination levels. The test results indicate the status of the regenerated oil as compared to the fresh oil.
Depending upon the status the oil is further supplemented with high performance additives to bring it back to the desired specifications, under the guidance of an experienced lubrication technologist.
Contamination Removal ? Testing ? Additive Addition
(to be determined after testing in oil test laboratory)

The steps involved in this process are as follows:
1. Contamination removal: Using advanced filtration techniques to remove contaminants.
2. Testing: Assessing the oil’s properties to determine if it meets the required performance standards.
3. Additive addition: Based on testing results, performance-enhancing additives are added to restore the oil’s original characteristics.

On-site oil testing laboratories
The used oil from the machine passes through 5th generation fine filtration to be reclaimed as ‘New Oil’ and fit to use as per stringent industry standards.
To effectively implement circular economy principles in oil reclamation from used oil, establishing an on-site oil testing laboratory is crucial at any large plants or sites. Scientific testing methods ensure that regenerated oil meets the specifications required for optimal machine performance, making it suitable for reuse as ‘New Oil’ (within specified tolerances). Hence, it can be reused safely by reintroducing it in the machines.
The key parameters to be tested for regenerated hydraulic, gear and transmission oils (except Engine oils) include both physical and chemical characteristics of the lubricant:

Kinematic Viscosity
Flash Point
Total Acid Number
Moisture / Water Content
Oil Cleanliness
Elemental Analysis (Particulates, Additives and Contaminants)
Insoluble

The presence of an on-site laboratory is essential for making quick decisions; ensuring that test reports are available within 36 to 48 hours and this prevents potential mechanical issues/ failures from arising due to poor lubrication. This symbiotic and cyclic process helps not only reduce waste and conserve oil, but also contributes in achieving cost savings and playing a big role in green economy.

Conclusion
The future of industrial operations depends on sustainability, and reclaiming used lubricating oils plays a critical role in this transformation. Through 5th Generation Filtration processes, lubricants can be regenerated and restored to their original levels, contributing to both environmental preservation and economic efficiency.
What would happen if we didn’t recycle our lubricants? Let’s review the quadruple impacts as mentioned below:
1. Oil Conservation and Environmental Impact: Used lubricating oils after usage are normally burnt or sold to a vendor which can be misused leading to pollution. Regenerating oils rather than discarding prevents unnecessary waste and reduces the environmental footprint of the industry. It helps save invaluable resources, aligning with the principles of sustainability and the circular economy. All lubricating oils (except engine oils) can be regenerated and brought to the level of ‘As New Oils’.
2. Cost Reduction Impact: By extending the life of lubricants, industries can significantly cut down on operating costs associated with frequent oil changes, leading to considerable savings over time. Lubricating oils are expensive and saving of lubricants by the process of regeneration will overall be a game changer and highly economical to the core industries.
3. Timely Decisions Impact: Having an oil testing laboratory at site is of prime importance for getting test reports within 36 to 48 hours enabling quick decisions in critical matters that may
lead to complete shutdown of the invaluable asset/equipment.
4. Green Economy Impact: Oil Regeneration is a fundamental part of the green economy. Supporting industries in their efforts to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimise pollution is ‘The Need of Our Times’.

About the author:
KB Mathur, Founder & Director, Global Technical Services, is a seasoned mechanical engineer with 56 years of experience in India’s oil industry and industrial reliability. He pioneered ‘Total Lubrication Management’ and has been serving the mining and cement sectors since 1999.

Concrete

Charting the Green Path

Published

2 months ago

May 13, 2025

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The Indian cement industry has reached a critical juncture in its sustainability journey. In a landmark move, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has, for the first time, announced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity reduction targets for 282 entities, including 186 cement plants, under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. These targets, to be enforced starting FY2025-26, are aligned with India’s overarching ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
Cement manufacturing is intrinsically carbon-intensive, contributing to around 7 per cent of global GHG emissions, or approximately 3.8 billion tonnes annually. In India, the sector is responsible for 6 per cent of total emissions, underscoring its critical role in national climate mitigation strategies. This regulatory push, though long overdue, marks a significant shift towards accountability and structured decarbonisation.
However, the path to a greener cement sector is fraught with challenges—economic viability, regulatory ambiguity, and technical limitations continue to hinder the widespread adoption of sustainable alternatives. A major gap lies in the lack of a clear, India-specific definition for ‘green cement’, which is essential to establish standards and drive industry-wide transformation.
Despite these hurdles, the industry holds immense potential to emerge as a climate champion. Studies estimate that through targeted decarbonisation strategies—ranging from clinker substitution and alternative fuels to carbon capture and innovative product development—the sector could reduce emissions by 400 to 500 million metric tonnes by 2030.
Collaborations between key stakeholders and industry-wide awareness initiatives (such as Earth Day) are already fostering momentum. The responsibility now lies with producers, regulators and technology providers to fast-track innovation and investment.
The time to act is now. A sustainable cement industry is not only possible—it is imperative.