FGD is a process used to eliminate sulfur dioxide from combustion gas produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal or oil. | Photo credit: Danicek
Are FGD (combustion gase desulfuration) aimed at controlling sulfur dioxide emissions of coal thermal plants that are still relevant is the debate that is being carried out between the Ministries of the Environment and Power here?
The nationals are carrying out discussions with the interested parties and among them on whether the mandate must continue. A meeting to discuss the issue was a hero between the two ministries on April 7, according to the sources. However, both the Mines and the interested parties remained fixed on the flow of the meeting.
The FGD is a process used to eliminate sulfur dioxide (SO2) of combustion gas produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal or oil. This has bone ordered by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change (MOEF and CC). With a constant update of technology, establishing an FGD in the energy plant is losing relevance; In addition, it is an additional cost for producers, said an industry official.
In India, the FGD is mandatory for coal thermal plants to control SO2 emissions and comply with emission standards. MOEF & CC has prescribed deadlines for the installation of FGD based on plant capacity and installation date. For plants installed before December 31, 2016, the deadline is December 2025, while for plants installed after January 1, 2017, it is December 2026.
Scientific efficacy
Although the industry has been supported so far, they have argued that the same must be supported with scientific efficiency, particularly in the Indian context, especially with respect to the low domestic coal content of sulfur content (0.5 percent). The industry has been raising Conerns and arguing that the “unique size” policy does not work, since each plant could vary depending on the location, the regional climate, the surrounding population density and the specific characteristics of the plant. In addition, there is a matter of cost benefit or FGD.
IN FACT, Studies conduct by Various Institutions Like Iit Delhi, Csir-Neeri (WHO WERE ASKED BY NITI AAYOG) AND NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDIES BEANGALURU, HAVE RECOMMENDED AGAINST FGD INSTALLATION IN INDIAN THERMAL POWER POWER POWER POWER POWER POWER POWER POWER And sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur, and sulfur due to the minimum impact of air in the reduction of pm.
According to those associated with the sector, a more specific strategy of the strategy in high efficiency electrostatic precipitators for the control of private matter must be prioritized to air quality improvements while minimizing the unintended consequence.
Posted on April 13, 2025