Industrial waste management through co-processing in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab
Student name: Ms Neha Dewan and Ms Saumya Srivastava
Guide: Dr Prateek Sharma
Year of completion: 2008
Host Organisation: ACC Ltd. and TERI University
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Pradeep Kaduskar
Abstract: Currently industrial waste disposal options include incineration and landfilling. But today a third option exists, that is, co-processing which is the utilization of industrial waste as AFR (Alternate Fuel and Raw Material) in the cement industry. The objectives were, firstly, to map the problem of industrial waste management and assess its magnitude, secondly, to evaluate the business potential of industrial waste in the cement sector and thirdly to develop a model that compares landfilling and co-processing taking into account economic, social and environmental costs. A market survey was conducted for ACC Ltd, where industries were visited in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Information was collected on the type and quantum of waste, its generation rate and stock being stored within industry premises and its method of disposal. The quantum of total waste was found to be 50107.452 tonnes per annum out of which the total landfillable waste was 48013.037 TPA, the incinerable waste was 2094.415 TPA and recyclable waste was 91155.6 TPA. The business potential for the area came out to be Rs. 3.5 crores. But it could only be realized with the open support of Central and State Pollution Control Boards. The case for co-processing is strengthened by its comparison with landfilling on environmental grounds. Co-processing has zero environmental cost. So, it can be concluded that it should form an important part of the integrated waste management options in India.
