The Hindu 18.04.2013
Chennai Corporation seeks proposals from BARC
For installing bio-methanation plants to produce energy from waste.
Chennai Corporation has sought proposals from the Mumbai-based Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for installing and implementing bio-methanation plants for production of energy from biodegradable wastes as pilot plants in three places, according to J. Daniel Chellappa, Senior Scientist, Technical Coordination Wing, BARC, Chennai.
He was talking to The Hindu on the sidelines of PRAGYAN 2013, a national-level technical symposium organised by the Science and Humanities Association of the Thanthai Periyar Government Institute of Technology (TPGIT) on the TPGIT campus here on Wednesday. Mr. Chellappa said that ever since the BARC developed and implemented the bio-methanation technology for conversion of biodegradable wastes into energy and achieving scientific solid waste management (SWM) in the BARC Residential Township in Mumbai in 2002, it has transferred the technology to 100 companies and the technology is being used successfully in 150 places throughout the country.
The places where the technology is being used included government offices such as the Delhi Secretariat, local bodies and educational institutions.
Earlier inaugurating the symposium, Mr. Chellappa said that one could get two cylinders of biogas from one tonne of biodegradable garbage, while each tonne of garbage produces 50 kg of natural manure.
The Chennai Corporation was generating about 5,000 tonnes of garbage every day of which 35 per cent was biodegradable. Converting the waste into natural manure would fetch good revenue to the Corporation and also help in enriching the soil in agricultural lands of those who use the manure.
Mr. Chellappa said that disposal of e-wastes such as batteries of cell phones in the environment might contaminate groundwater. Unfortunately, in India e-waste is considered as any other waste and disposed of in the same way biodegradable wastes are disposed of or dumped in the environment.
Vegetable wastes and slaughter house wastes are also dumped in the environment leading to pig menace and mosquito menace. M. Arularasu, Principal, TPGIT, who presided, said that TPGIT has received a grant of Rs. 2.59 crore from the government. Of this, Rs. two crore has been allotted for the construction of the hostel building. Of the remaining Rs. 59 lakh, a sum of Rs. seven lakh has been given to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rs. 14 lakh to the Department of Civil Engineering, and Rs. 19 lakh to the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering. A sum of Rs. 50 lakh was received last year for smart classrooms, he said.
Mr. Chellappa released the symposium souvenir. K. Muthukumaran, professor and Head of the Department of Science and Humanities, TPGIT, explained the proceedings of the symposium. P. Manivel, associate professor of chemistry, introduced the chief guest.
J. Rex Martin Sahayaraj, associate professor of mathematics, welcomed the gathering. N. Kalaivasan, symposium coordinator, proposed a vote of thanks.
