The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) bans coal as a fuel across the National Capital Region (NCR) from January 1, 2023. According to officials defaulting units will be close down without any warning. However, the use of low-sulphur coal in thermal power plants is allowed. Thus Authorities have been directed to close down industries and commercial establishments using unapproved fuels, including coal, without giving them any show-cause notice.

Approved Fuels mentioned in the Standard List mandated by the Commission in the entire NCR are as follows.

1. Petrol (10 ppm Sulphur) – Vehicular fuel
2. Hydrogen/Methane- Vehicular and Industrial purposes.
3. Natural Gas (CNG/PNG/LNG) – Vehicular, Industrial and Domestic Purposes
4. Electricity – Vehicular, Industrial, Commercial and Domestic Purposes.
5. Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) for Power plants, Cement plants, Waste to Energy plants
6. Biofuels (Bio-alcohols, Bio-diesel, Bio-gas, CBG, Bio-CNG) – for Industrial/ Vehicular/ Domestic purposes as applicable.
7. Biomass/ Agriculture Refuse and Pellets/ Briquettes – for Industrial Boilers, Power Plants, Biofuel Projects, Cement Industry, Waste to Energy Plants, etc.
8. Biomass Pellets/ Briquettes – for Hotels/ Restaurants/ Banquet Halls (with mandatory emission channelization/ control system) and Open Eateries.

What is the Significance of the coal ban?

Delhi is among the world’s most polluted capital cities. So, CAQM takes the step to switch towards cleaner and greener fuel. By switching to alternative and less polluting fuels, we are not only saving the environment but also an initiative to promote low sulphur fuels. So what is the Significance of this step?

1. Switching over to cleaner fuels such as natural gas and biomass will not only help save tonnes of coal annually but also reduce pollutants, including Particulate Matter (PM), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), CO2 and Carbon monoxide (CO).
2. It will help in Tackling Air pollution. Every year, air pollution from fossil fuels takes millions of lives, increases our risk of stroke, lung cancer and asthma, and costs us a lot of money.
3. This step is taken to bring down greenhouse gas emissions in Delhi NCR.

Steamax’s- A fuel with zero carbon emissions

Biomass fuel is a perfect alternative to fossil fuels, especially for the environment. So, Steamax developed Astillas, a type of renewable biofuel. It is manufacture from natural products like cashew shells, de-oiled cashew cake, sawdust, groundnut shell, and seasoned wood chips. Its key features include:

1. Astillas have high calorific value (4500Kcal/kg), low moisture content(<10%), and ash content (<2%). It burns more efficiently than any other fuel due to lower bulk density and higher calorific value.
2. Astillas burn clean and entirely without leaving any black or acidic smoke trace.
3. Astillas thus, also reduce CO2 emissions compared to wood logs, coal, petcoke and diesel.
4. The oil content of the fuel is below 5%. Reduced acidity improves worker protection and does not impact the life of the equipment. The Astillas are much safer to be manage by bare hands.

Thus, Astillas have recently been gaining interest from an increasing number of industries looking for a new and environmentally friendly fuel source. Hence, there is an urgent need in the present time to switch to renewable energy, and Steamax is here to help. If you have any questions about Astillas, please feel free to contact us today.