| Reliance Industries Limited, at their Patalganga plant commissioned in 2002, the Expanded Granular Sludge Blanket (EGSB) and the up-flow Anaerobic sludge Blanket (USAB) bioreactors to treat the PTA wastewater, which was conventionally treated by Activated Sludge Process. The technology supplied by M/s. Biothane of Netherlands could not achieve the design performance; since 600 tons of granulated biomass was unavailable in India for seeding the bioreactors.
The company developed and demonstrated the process conditions for biomass granulation in anaerobic systems for Petrochemical wastewater treatment and seeding methodology by using locally available blend of biomass seed there-by saving Rs. 1.00 Crore on import of 600 tons of granular biomass. The energy recovery from the system was improved using Six Sigma technique. The COD removal efficiency was increased from 70% to more than 95% for the anaerobic process. Biogas production with a Fuel Oil equivalent of more than 6 tons per day was achieved. The net fuel savings on account of biogas utilization in process heaters is about Rs. 1.3 Crores per annum. The energy savings in bio-sludge dewatering and drying is to the tune of over Rs. 39.00 lakhs per annum and the overall bio-sludge disposal cost has reduced by more than 95%. Further the air blowers are not required which makes the process noise free resulting into a savings of Rs.6,70,000 per year on power consumption due to blowers.
The reduction in Green House Gas emissions because of these sustainable efforts is 4207 tons of carbon dioxide per year. The company has shared this result with the bench marking partners and process licensors. Further, its Hazira plant has also taken up the Six Sigma initiative to translate this technological advantage.
In recognition of the above, Indian Chemical Manufacturers Association is pleased to confer the ICMA D. M. TRIVEDI AWARD FOR INTRODUCING ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY HAVING A WIDESPREAD IMPACT ON CHEMICAL INDUSTRY for the year 2004-2005 on Reliance Industries Limited, Patalganga, Maharashtra. |
