Atmanirbhar Bharat- Part 4

Coalbed Methane

Coalbed methane (CBM or coal-bed methane is a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds.In recent decades it has become an important source of energy in United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

The term refers to methane adsorbed into the solid matrix of the coal. It is called ‘sweet gas’ because of its lack of hydrogen sulfide. The presence of this gas is well known from its occurrence in underground coal mining, where it presents a serious safety risk. Coalbed methane is distinct from a typical sandstone or other conventional gas reservoir, as the methane is stored within the coal by a process called adsorption. The methane is in a near-liquid state, lining the inside of pores within the coal (called the matrix). The open fractures in the coal (called the cleats) can also contain free gas or can be saturated with water.

Unlike much natural gas from conventional reservoirs, coalbed methane contains very little heavier hydrocarbons such as propane or butane, and no natural-gas condensate. It often contains up to a few percent carbon dioxide.

Coal Gasification

• The process of Coal Gasification chemically transforms the fossil fuel into Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG), instead of burning fossil fuel.
• It produces Syngas which is a mixture consisting primarily of methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour (H2O).
• Syngas can be used to produce a wide range of fertilizers, fuels, solvent and synthetic materials.
• It is primarily used for electricity generation, for the production of chemical feedstocks.
• The hydrogen obtained from coal gasification can be used for various purposes such as making ammonia, powering a hydrogen economy.
• In-situ gasification of coal – or Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) – is the technique of converting coal into gas while it is still in the seam and then extracting it through wells.

Sep  2019- News Related to Coal Gasification :

• The Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers has signed a contract for the coal gasification plant for the urea project at Talchar, Odisha.
• Currently, the production of urea in the country is done by using pooled natural gas which comprises domestic Natural Gas and imported Liquified Natural Gas(LNG).
• The project will improve India’s self-sufficiency in Urea, promote agriculture growth in India.

Captive Mines

Captive Coal Mining means the coal  is taken out by a company for its own use & it won’t be able to sell it in the market. Mostly Steel Producing Companies & Electricity Generation Company  have these Captive Coal Mining.

Other mines are called Non -Captive mines. Under new reforms,this distinction will be removed.(mentioned in PDF doc).

Viability Gap Funding

• Viability Gap Finance means a grant to support projects that are economically justified but not financially viable.
• The scheme is designed as a Plan Scheme to be administered by the Ministry of Finance and amount in the budget are made on a year-to- year basis.
• Such a grant under VGF is provided as a capital subsidy to attract the private sector players to participate in PPP projects that are otherwise financially unviable.
• Projects may not be commercially viable because of long gestation period and small revenue flows in future.
• VGF grants will be available only for infrastructure projects where private sector sponsors are selected through a process of competitive bidding.
• Government will enhance the quantum of Viability Gap Funding upto 30% each of Total Project Cost as VGF by Centre and State/Statutory Bodies.- in Social Infrastructure Projects.
• For other projects it will remains 20 %.

Irradiation Technology for Food

Radiation processing of food or food irradiation is a physical process in which food commodities, bulk or pre-packaged are exposed to controlled doses of energy of ionizing radiation such as gamma rays or X-rays to achieve different technological objectives. These technological objectives include extension of shelf-life, destruction of storage and quarantine insect pests, and killing of parasites, pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. Radiation processing can thus be used for enhancing food safety, food security and international trade.

The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued guidelines in December regarding irradiated foods.

Advantages of Food Irradiation :

• It is a physical, non-additive process, causes minimal change in food
• It is highly effective compared to chemicals and fumigants.
• It does not leave harmful residue in food.
• It can be applied to bulk as well as pre-packaged food
• It is a cold process and preserves food in natural form
• It does not destroy heat-labile aroma constituents of food
• The process is safe to workers and friendly to environment.

According to FSSAI, all food products that have undergone irradiation must carry the ‘Radura’ mark along with the tag ‘treated with radiation’ or ‘treated by irradiation.’

Solar Panels

• Solar panels are usually made from a few key components: silicon, metal, and glass
• Standard panels are either made from monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon.
• Solar photovoltaics are made with a number of parts, the most important of which are silicon cells. Silicon, atomic number 14 on the periodic table, is a nonmetal with conductive properties that give it the ability to convert sunlight into electricity. When light interacts with a silicon cell, it causes electrons to be set into motion, which initiates a flow of electricity. This is known as the “photovoltaic effect.”
• Mono-crystalline silicon cells are more efficient than polycrystalline or amorphous solar cells.