In the heart of Varanasi, India’s pioneering eco-centric coal facility is poised for inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unveiling a slew of initiatives during his imminent visit. The event is set to witness the inauguration of 16 projects, coupled with the laying of foundation stones for an additional seven ventures.
The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Varanasi, spearheads this visionary project. Within this endeavor, a prodigious 200 metric tonnes of verdant coal are meticulously crafted from a substantial 600 tonnes of discarded waste. After the successful completion of two rigorous trials, the inauguration of this groundbreaking facility awaits the auspicious moment, marked by the presence of PM Modi.
This establishment marks a paradigm shift in India’s landscape as the inaugural facility to synthesize eco-friendly coal derived from agricultural remnants and municipal solid waste. The bio-coal produced here emerges as a sustainable substitute for conventional, environmentally deleterious coal. Ambitious plans are underway to replicate such ecological initiatives in various corners of the nation.
The operational reins of this avant-garde plant rest in the hands of Macawber Beekay. Chandroday Singh, the seasoned senior general manager at Macawber Beekay, shares insights into the project’s genesis, rooted in the mission to augment cleanliness by eradicating Varanasi’s towering waste mounds. Post two exhaustive trials in 2022 and 2023, the plant now stands poised for full-scale coal production, adept at handling a substantial 600 tonnes of Varanasi’s daily waste discharge.
The eco-coal fabricated within these walls is earmarked for utilization by NTPC in power generation. If required, its applications extend to the commercial echelons of energy consumption.
Delving into the intricate process, Singh elucidates that vehicles ferry waste from diverse corners of Varanasi, depositing it in a designated pit before departing. A crane aids in transferring the waste into a hopper, where pre-heating eliminates inherent moisture. Ballistic separators then segregate soil, iron, copper, and other materials from the waste. Following this comprehensive separation, the waste undergoes transformation into powder through the Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) process.
Subjected to thermal treatment at temperatures ranging between 250 to 300 degrees, the waste metamorphoses into small, coal-like ash, donning a distinct black hue. This residue undergoes further refinement through a sieve, culminating in the fusion of charcoal with specific binders and water, ultimately culminating in the creation of green coal.
Singh underscores the indigenous nature of the entire process, underscoring, “We conceived the plant in Rajasthan and transplanted it to Varanasi. It stands as the nation’s maiden initiative, yielding 100 percent pollution-free green coal.”
The Municipal Health Officer of the Municipal Corporation accentuates the collaborative efforts between the Corporation and the project, emphasizing, “We offered the spatial support, heralding a transformative approach to waste disposal.”