Now Reading: UPRVUNL turns fly ash and scrap into resources at thermal plants
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UPRVUNL turns fly ash and scrap into resources at thermal plants
Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) is implementing a circular economy strategy across its thermal power stations to convert waste materials such as fly ash, scrap metal, used oil and…
Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) is implementing a circular economy strategy across its thermal power stations to convert waste materials such as fly ash, scrap metal, used oil and wastewater into resources. The state power generator is exploring railway rakes to transport ash from Panki thermal station and a pipeline from Jawaharpur to supply ash to cement plants in Etah. At Anpara and Obra, recovery of fuel-oil sludge has already saved about 450 kilolitres of oil worth nearly Rs 4.5 crore.
Managing director Mayur Maheshwari said the initiative moves from waste management to resource management, with every material from plants being examined for reuse. UPRVUNL has engaged IIT-Kanpur as technical consultant for AI-driven digital twins of equipment and energy audits, and is in talks with NEERI to expand circular economy projects. Material recovery facilities are planned at Obra and Anpara to segregate ferrous metals, plastics and e-waste. Thermal stations are also moving towards zero liquid discharge, with treated water recycled for gardening and ash transportation.
Indian Opinion Analysis
UPRVUNL is one of India's largest state-run power generators, operating ageing coal plants that face mounting pressure from stricter environmental norms and rising fuel costs. The thermal power sector nationally produces over 200 million tonnes of fly ash annually, of which only about 60% is utilised. Railways already run dedicated ash rakes for some NTPC plants, but state utilities have been slower to adopt them. The real test for this circular economy push will come when UPRVUNL issues tenders for ash supply agreements with cement plants: if cement offtake does not match evacuation capacity, ash will still pile up. Watch for the first ash-railway rake movement schedule, expected within six months at Panki.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
