Initiatives taken for estimation and control of mercury from various sources in India

1
Initiatives taken for estimation and control of
mercury from various sources in India

• Presented by
• Dr. G.K. Pandey, Adviser, Govt. Of India,
• Ministry of Env. Forests
• At BAQ , 2006 , 13-15 December,2006, Indonesia

2
Sources of Mercury Emissions in India

• Chlor-alkali plants
• Coal based power plants
• Electrical and Electronic Industries
• Medical Instruments using mercury
• Pesticides fungicides
• Paints
• Indian Traditional Medicine Manufacturing Units

3
Total Mercury Imports by India (Source DGCI
S, Ministry of Commerce,Govt. of India)
4
CHLOR-ALKALI INDUSTRY IN INDIA

• INSTALLED CAPACITY
• CAUSTIC SODA AS ON 31.3.2006 2.33
  MILLION TPA
• MEMBRANE CELL BASED CAPACITY 1.90 MILLION TPA
• MERCURY CELL BASED CAPACITY 0.43 MILLION TPA
• TECHNOLOGY SHARE
• MEMBRANE CELL 82
• MERCURY CELL 18

5
CREP- A Regulatory Voluntary Instrument

• CREP-Charter on Corporate Responsibility for
  Environmental Protection Initiated by Ministry
  of Environment Forests and agreed by the Indian
  Chlor-Alkali Industry.
• Voluntary commitment for Responsible care of the
  Environment as joined partnership for Pollution
  Control with Govt. of India Regulatory bodies.
• CREP came into force on 13th March, 2003,
  Thirteen Points Time Bound Action Plan.
• CREP for Chlor-Alkali Industry proved to be an
  instrument to drastically reduce Mercury
  Consumption Emission to the Environment.
• A Task Force constituted to monitor progress of
  implementation of CREP Recommendations.

6
STATUS OF CREP ACTION POINTS
7
STATUS OF CREP ACTION POINTS (CONTD.)
8
CONTROL MEASURES TAKEN UP BY INDIAN INDUSTRY

• Renewal of the secondary cells to eliminate
  leakage of Mercury and Mercury Emissions in cell
  room.
• Use of Mercury pumps with sealed glands.
• Less opening of cells in the cell house (End box
  top box covers provided)
• Installation of distillation unit for effective
  recovery of Mercury from solid waste emanating
  from cell room / Mercury treatment plant.
• Lining of cell house floor to prevent Mercury
  loss due to penetration in floors including
  increased illumination of ground floor in cell
  house.
• Recycling of Mercury bearing effluent.
• Hydrogen gas treatment by Mercury removal by deep
  cooling (scrubbing, cooling and chilling system).
• Mercury recovery from waste and sludge.
• Use of improved salt quality.
• Safe disposal of brine sludge to secured landfill
  with leachate collection system.
• Better work practices and good house keeping,
  including training of workmen.
• Periodical monitoring of Mercury emissions
  including working out Mercury mass balance.

9
MERCURY CONSUMPTION IN INDIAN MERCURY CELL BASED
CHLOR-ALKALI INDUSTRY
10
MERCURY EMISSION LEVELS
Average gms/T of Caustic Production
11
INDIAN MERCURY TECHNOLOGY VIS-A-VIS EUROPIAN
SCENARIO
12
Mercury content in coalSource BHEL Report, 2004
Mean 0.376 ug/g
range 0.18-0.61 ug/g
13
Mercury levels in vegetables, crops, fish,
drinking water and milk (Source ITRC-1998)
nano grams Value is prescribed for soft drinks
as no value is prescribed for milk.
14
Environment and Health Risk Studies

• Commissioned by MoEF 2005-2006
• Monitoring of Hg in different components of
  environment
• Bio-magnification and bioaccumulation
  studies
• Occupational and health risk studies in
  chlor-alkali plants
• Studies are in progress

15
CONCLUSION

• Command and control systems were not effective /
  did not work very well.
• Voluntary compliance proved more effective.
• Significant reduction in Mercury Consumption/
  Emissions achieved through CREP.
• Time frame for change over to Membrane Cell
  Technology evolved and being complied.
• Indian Chlor-Alkali Industry is likely be Mercury
  Free by 2012.
• New environmental and health risk studies would
  help in evolving strategy for taking control
  measures to reduce Hg emissions from other
  sources.

16
THANK YOU