How Mining Chemicals Catalyse Infrastructure Development
Abstract
The article highlights the critical role of Technical Ammonium Nitrate (TAN) in enhancing blasting efficiency for mineral extraction, driving India’s infrastructure development and economic growth.
Introduction
Infrastructure sector is one of the major enablers for the development and growth of India. Government of India (GoI) has recognized the critical role of this sector in meeting the target of $5 trillion economy by 20261. Hence, GoI has embarked on ambitious investment plan,in the Union Budget of 2023, for creating new infrastructure & upgrading existing infrastructure. GoI has announced investment outlay of Rs 10 Lakh Crore, which is a 33% increase2 year-on-year. Numerous schemes & incentives have been announced, such as Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, ~100 transport infrastructure projects for connectivity for ports, incentives in the coal, steel, and fertiliser sectors, creating urban infrastructure in tier 2 and tier 3 cities through establishment of Urban Infrastructure Development Fund.
Infrastructure Development
All the thrust and impetus on infrastructure development for the country’s growth necessitates adoption of superior technologies, processes, raw materials & services. Development of Infrastructure requires, amongst other things, Stone aggregates from Quarry operations, Cement manufactured from Limestone mining, Steel manufactured from Iron Ore mining and Power generation from Coal mining. Therefore, the pace of infrastructure development also depends on the pace of extraction of these minerals & stone aggregates, extracted through blasting, which requires use of commercial explosives.
Technical Ammonium Nitrate (TAN) is the principal ingredient of most commercial explosives required for mineral and rock blasting. TAN is a white inorganic salt which has the chemical formula: NH4NO3. It is an “oxidiser” which contains approximately 60% oxygen and, therefore, supports combustion. TAN is not an explosive by itself. Commercial explosives are produced by mixing TAN with fuel and sensitizer. These commercial explosives, when used with other blasting agents like detonators and boosters, are rapidly converted into gases at high temperature and pressure in a confined state in the rock, leading to breaking of the rock/mineral.
The broken rock/mineral is then put to its intended use after further processing as may be required, e.g., broken stone is used as stone chips for Infrastructure construction, limestone is used for cement production, iron ore is used for steel production, and coal is used for thermal power generation.
Role of Mining Chemicals – Technical Ammonium Nitrate (TAN)
Mineral extraction either through mining or quarrying follows a typical value-chain as shown below.
Blasting activity has a significant impact on the downstream value chain in the mineral and rock production and the extraction process. Improvement in Blasting efficiency has a multiplier effect on the downstream process and hence on overall Infrastructure development. Blasting efficiency is a factor of type of explosives used (based on the rock/mineral and associated geological conditions), and deployment of advanced technologies such as Blast Design, real-time measurement of blast outcomes e.g., rock fragmentation (desired sizes of blasted rock output enables faster excavation and also aids in improving crusher throughput), control in dilution (purity factor), vibration and noise control, blasted material profile etc. Drones and Artificial Intelligence are used to accurately analyse, simulate, and predict the results for improved safety and productivity.
Ammonium Nitrate-Fuel Oil (ANFO) explosives is a widely used explosives which is manufactured through use of ~94% of Porous Prilled TAN and ~6% Fuel Oil such as Diesel. ANFO explosives has a higher share of gas energy, which leads to better fragmentation of broken mineral/stone aggregates, reduced excavation and transport cost of minerals/stone aggregates, improved productivity of heavy earth moving machinery (HEMM), reduced crusher power consumption and reduced wear and tear (hence improved maintenance cost) of the crusher.
ANFO explosives coupled with the use of advanced technologies mentioned above, enables faster throughput thereby speeding up infrastructure development in India, besides the cost savings and control over environmental parameters such as vibration, fly-rock, noise etc. which are becoming more critical in view of mandate over ESG that the Govt. and Construction Companies need to adhere to.
Conclusion
India’s demand for power generation and infrastructure construction is set to grow at a faster rate with the increasing population and the improving standards of living. India’s aspiration to become ‘Manufacturing hub for the world’ would further boost this demand for power and infrastructure. Technical Ammonium Nitrateas a Key Mining Chemical will continue to play a vital role in catalysing faster infrastructure progress, which would be integral to supporting India’s economic growth in the decades to come.
Moving the Decarbonization Agenda Forward
Abstract
India’s National Hydrogen Mission aims to lead in green hydrogen production, with stringent emission standards, fostering a step-by-step transition in key sectors for a decarbonized future.
Key Role of Hydrogen in Decarbonisation
The Government of India is moving forward with the definite agenda for decarbonizing its economic sectors to fall in line with the global decarbonisation agenda and achieve net zero emissions by the year 2070. The National Hydrogen Mission has been instituted with the aim of making India a hub for the production and export of green hydrogen and thus being a self-reliant and energy-independent nation. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will be an energy-independent nation by 2047 where green hydrogen will play an active role as a clean fuel.
This is a landmark initiative towards a decarbonized world among the developing countries and focuses on taking action along with the developed countries in a matter of great global concern as mitigating the impacts of climate change. India and China, both populous countries, are also major emitters of carbon dioxide to the environment. Therefore, any successful initiative from these countries will impart a greater momentum to achieve global carbon neutrality which is being constantly reviewed at the COP summits.
India’s leadership in this matter started with the setting up of the National Hydrogen Mission in 2021 and its deliberations to decarbonize each of the economic sectors. Even today, bulk of the energy production in India comes from coal, which is the most emission intensive input for power generation. Since a majority nearly 70% of our population is young and therefore aspirational, our development aspirations cannot be put on hold in the short-term and thus the use of coal as a fuel and feedstock cannot be done away. Instead, the government envisages a gradual transition to greener options for power generation and decarbonize the grid.
National Green Hydrogen Mission
It is in this context, and in a recent significant move, that the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has notified the Green Hydrogen Standard for India specifying the emission thresholds during its production.
The definition includes green H2 production through water electrolysis as well as biomass processing. It defines green hydrogen as having emission of not more than 2 kg of CO2 equivalent / kg of H2 taken as an average over the last twelve month period, both for electrolysis based and biomass based plants. This also includes cumulative emissions during upstream and downstream processing such as water treatment, electrolysis, biomass processing, gas purification, drying and compression of hydrogen. Detailed methodology for measurement, reporting, monitoring, on-site verification, and certification of green hydrogen and its derivatives shall be specified by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in the Ministry of Power is entrusted with the accreditation agencies for the monitoring, verification and certification for Green Hydrogen production projects.
Investment required for manufacturing an estimated 5 million MT of green hydrogen for India by 2030 can be met only if there are clear and transparent guidelines with regard to the technology and specifications of the product and the incentives available in the short term till increase in demand justify economies of scale production. Earlier, we were confronted with such debacles in the fertilizer industry for years – split up of hydrocarbons used as fuel and feedstock and computation of specific energy consumption which lacked definitive guidelines. A sharp definition of the product clearly specifying exact battery limits including methodology for measurement will be needed. As of now, there are no global standards available for green hydrogen and several authors rely on the methodology developed by the International Partnership on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy. Compared to the US, EU or Japan specifications so far published, it seems that the Indian standard is more stringent.
Accounting of Emissions
A pertinent question regarding quantification of emission inventory in this context is how to deal with the mineralisation of carbon dioxide produced and accounting of emissions thereof. If the plant complex uses part or full of the CO2 produced its net direct atmospheric emission reduces. Thus the use of carbon dioxide to produce urea in ammonia-urea complex reduces the emissions from the ammonia plants to the atmosphere. A European Union court ruled that carbon dioxide, which is subsequent to its production, chemically bound in other products and thus not emitted into the atmosphere, is not to be included in the emissions of the carbon dioxide producing plant of first instance (Schaefer Kalk GmbH & CO, KG v Bundes Republik Deutschland [2017] EU ECJ C-460/15, on 19 January 2017)
The other point is the stipulation in the MNRE notification to consider a 12 month average of emissions in the accounting of the 2 kg/ ton limit. Here the operators enjoy the choice of using green power when it becomes convenient to them. In fact, it would be prudent to run the plant always on green power and occasional shift to grid power shall be resorted to only under absolute conditions of disruptions in the green grid. A monthly accounting of average emissions would have been fair enough.
Some circles have expressed doubt whether this definition covers the emissions associated with the electricity or biomass used in the process.As the notification is clear that it includes emissions both in the upstream and downstream of generation of hydrogen, there is little room for such an apprehension.
The entire exercise is intended to go ahead with the decarbonisation agenda in an affordable manner to the manufacturing sectors. Serious efforts are to be undertaken to continuously reduce the cost of renewable power, foster electrolyser development and build reliable hydrogen infrastructure across the country. Besides, apart from transportation, there shall be a step-by-step transition plan for high emission sectors such as fertilisers, steel, cement, chemicals and petrochemicals. Industry expertise already at hand – in production, handling, storage, distribution, safety etc of hydrogen – shall be pooled and effectively utilised by the Hydrogen Mission.
Unleashing the Power of Green Hydrogen: Challenges and Solutions for India’s Clean Energy Future
Abstract
India’s ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions and transition towards cleaner energy systems have sparked interest in green hydrogen as a viable solution. Green hydrogen, produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, has the potential to decarbonize various sectors, including transportation, industry, and power generation. This paper explores the challenges faced by green hydrogen in India and presents possible solutions to unlock its full potential for India’s clean energy future.
Introduction
India has set ambitious goals of achieving energy independence by 2047 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. To facilitate this transition, the country is focusing on increasing the use of renewable energy in all sectors. Green Hydrogen is seen as a promising solution to support this transition. It can be utilized for long-term storage of renewable energy, replacing fossil fuels in industries, enabling clean transportation, and potentially even decentralized power generation, aviation, and marine transport.
To drive the adoption of Green Hydrogen, the Indian government approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission on January 4, 2022. The objectives of this mission include making India a leading producer and supplier of Green Hydrogen globally, creating export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, developing indigenous manufacturing capabilities, attracting investments and business opportunities, creating employment opportunities and fostering economic development, as well as supporting research and development projects.
By 2030, the mission aims to achieve several outcomes, including developing a green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 million metric tonnes per annum, adding approximately 125 GW of renewable energy capacity, attracting over Rs. 8 lakh crore in total investments, creating over six lakh jobs, reducing cumulative fossil fuel imports by over Rs. 1 lakh crore, and abating nearly 50 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
Challenges Faced by Green Hydrogen in India
High Production Costs
One of the primary challenges hindering the widespread adoption of green hydrogen in India is the high production costs. The capital investment required to establish electrolyzer facilities, coupled with the cost of renewable energy sources, makes green hydrogen less economically competitive compared to conventional fossil fuel alternatives. Reducing production costs through technological advancements, economies of scale, and strategic investments is essential to make green hydrogen cost-effective.
Limited Renewable Energy Infrastructure
India’s renewable energy infrastructure, while rapidly growing, still faces challenges in terms of availability, reliability, and transmission. A robust renewable energy infrastructure is vital for the large-scale production of green hydrogen. Expanding renewable power generation capacity, improving grid integration, and developing energy storage solutions are crucial to ensure a consistent and cost-effective supply of renewable energy for green hydrogen production.
Lack of Dedicated Infrastructure and Storage Facilities
The lack of a dedicated hydrogen infrastructure, including transportation, storage, and distribution facilities, poses a significant challenge for the adoption of green hydrogen in India. Establishing a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure requires substantial investments and coordinated efforts. Building hydrogen refueling stations, storage facilities, and pipeline networks will be critical to facilitate the seamless integration and utilization of green hydrogen across various sectors.
Need for a Supportive Policy and Regulatory Framework
The absence of a clear policy and regulatory framework specifically tailored to green hydrogen is another major challenge. India needs comprehensive policies that provide financial incentives, subsidies, and long-term commitments to foster the growth of green hydrogen. Creating a supportive regulatory environment that addresses licensing, permitting, and standardization issues will provide certainty and encourage private sector investments in green hydrogen projects.
Solutions for India’s Clean Energy Future
Research and Development
Investing in research and development (R&D) is crucial to overcoming the challenges faced by green hydrogen in India. Collaboration between industry, academia, and research institutions can drive technological advancements in electrolyzer efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness. R&D efforts should focus on developing advanced materials, efficient catalysts, and innovative manufacturing processes to reduce production costs and improve overall system performance.
Financial Incentives and Support
To incentivize private sector participation in green hydrogen projects, the government should provide financial incentives and support mechanisms. These may include tax incentives, grants, subsidies, and concessional financing options. Establishing dedicated funds and financing mechanisms specific to green hydrogen projects will help overcome the initial investment barriers and promote the growth of green hydrogen in India.
International Collaborations
India can benefit from international collaborations and partnerships to access advanced technologies, expertise, and knowledge sharing. Collaborating with countries leading in green hydrogen production and infrastructure development can help expedite India’s transition to a hydrogen-based economy. International partnerships can facilitate technology transfer, joint research initiatives, and the establishment of global standards for green hydrogen production, storage, and utilization.
Public Awareness and Capacity Building
Creating awareness among the public, policymakers, and industries about the potential benefits of green hydrogen is essential. Conducting capacity-building programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives can help disseminate information about green hydrogen technologies, applications, and economic advantages. Educating stakeholders about the environmental benefits and long-term sustainability of green hydrogen will foster a supportive ecosystem and encourage its adoption.
Conclusion
Unleashing the power of green hydrogen is vital for India’s clean energy future. Overcoming the challenges of high production costs, limited renewable energy infrastructure, lack of dedicated infrastructure and storage facilities, and the absence of a supportive policy and regulatory framework requires collaborative efforts from government, industry, academia, and international partners. By prioritizing research and development, providing financial incentives and support, fostering international collaborations, and raising public awareness, India can unlock the full potential of green hydrogen and pave the way towards a sustainable and carbon-neutral future. Embracing green hydrogen will not only help India achieve its climate goals but also create new opportunities for economic growth, energy security, and technological innovation.
The conclusions presented in this article are solely those of the authors and cannot be ascribed to Fluor Corporation and / or any of its subsidiaries.
Chemical Industry Digest – September 2023 Issue
India’s Energy and Zero Emission Strategy – Long Way to go
– N S Venkataraman is the Founder and Director, Nandini Consultancy Centre
The article highlights India’s energy challenges, including coal dependence, increasing oil and gas imports, and the limitations of current renewable energy and electric vehicle strategies. It suggests alternative solutions for a more comprehensive and diversified approach to achieve zero emissions by 2070.
Energy Transition towards Net Zero: Opportunities and Challenges in the Indian Chemical Industry
– Dr. Anjan Ray, Independent Consultant
The Indian chemical industry faces both environmental challenges and opportunities in its quest for net-zero emissions. It can leverage shifts to alternate energy systems, move to renewables, invest in R&D, adopt renewable energy sources, implement circular economy practices etc.
Process Developments Towards Energy-efficient Processes
– Naresh Patel, AMI Organics Ltd
The chemical industry is leading the way in energy-efficient processes, embracing innovations like vertical factory layouts, green chemistry, waste heat recovery, solar power, and more.
AI Will Transform Chemical Industries for Better Energy Management
– Rohit Kochar, Bert Labs
The chemical industry, one of the world’s oldest and largest, is embracing AI to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability, with case studies showing significant reductions in energy consumption, up to 40%.
Role of CO2 in Decarbonisation of Industries
– Lakshmana Rao Vadlamani, Nanda Kishore Desapande, Tata Consulting Engineers Limited, India
Industrial waste heat recovery using CO2 as a working fluid for efficient recovery of waste heat offers a promising solution for enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and contributing to sustainable development goals.
Exergy – The Concept and its Applications
– Mohana Chitikena, Alok Pandit, Equinox Software and Services Pvt Ltd; Rupali Sonolikar, MIT World Peace University
Exergy analysis assesses the quality of energy by measuring the maximum useful work extractable from a system. It emphasizes energy efficiency and environmental impact, offering insights beyond traditional energy analysis.
Challenges of Scaling up Electrolyzer Manufacturing Paves the Way for Innovation
– Selene Law, Alex Crutchfield
The green hydrogen industry faces challenges including cost competitiveness, technical hurdles, and policy uncertainty. While established players work to scale up, innovators aim to improve efficiency and reduce costs with various new technologies.
Perspectives on Decarbonisation
– Rick Rys, ARC Advisory Group
The article emphasizes the urgency of the energy transition, highlighting the need to decarbonise power generation, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and use innovative technologies like advanced nuclear reactors, Virtual Power Plants, and better emissions measurement.
Future Ready Motor Controllers Enable Intelligent Motor Management and Energy Efficiency in Chemical Industries
– Dev Chandra Kuril, ABB India Ltd
The article emphasises the significance of Universal Motor Control (UMC) systems in the chemical industry for enhancing energy efficiency, protecting motors, optimizing processes, and providing adaptability and remote monitoring.
Chemingineering – Predictive Maintenance
Asset management is critical for improving operational efficiency and safety in the process industry. Predictive maintenance is a powerful data-driven approach to increase the reliability and lifespan of assets. Despite its vast benefits, organisations must be cautious about implementing predictive maintenance programmes.
Maintenance is important for operational efficiency in the manufacturing industry. It ensures that there are no unexpected disruptions in the production schedule of the enterprise. Proper maintenance goes a long way in increasing the lifespan of plant assets and avoids unexpected capital expenditure to replace equipment or machinery. Mechanical integrity of plant assets is one of the 14 elements of Process Safety Management. Sudden and catastrophic failure of equipment and machinery can lead to disastrous consequences for personnel, property and the environment.
Reactive Maintenance
Traditionally, maintenance has been reactive. There are no scheduled inspections and equipment is allowed to “run to failure”. Reactive maintenance comes into play after the equipment breakdown and involves restoring it back to full functionality. Reactive maintenance pushes the asset to its limits. But it is clearly unsustainable in the long term.
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is regularly and routinely carried out to reduce the probability of equipment failure. It ensures the efficient and safe operation of the plant and reduces the frequency of unplanned downtime. Preventive maintenance can be both time-based as well as condition-based. Time-based approach schedules maintenance of equipment at predetermined intervals, usually on the basis of recommendations from the manufacturer. Condition-based maintenance on the other hand is triggered by signs of underperformance and an impending threat of failure. For instance, a pump or compressor may be pulled out for maintenance when the vibration reaches a certain threshold level. Scheduling of preventive maintenance is based on the expertise accumulated from long hours of operating the asset, both within the premises and elsewhere. Preventive maintenance reduces unplanned downtime, which is estimated to cost the chemical industry $20 billion every year.
Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance is a data-driven approach to determine when assets need maintenance so as to improve their reliability and lifespan. Predictive maintenance continuously monitors the fitness of various assets in a plant. It involves collecting a lot of data of different kinds and using them to build a dynamic model. The model is then constantly analysed using machine learning algorithms to identify probable causes of the failure of the asset and make timely, accurate and specific recommendations for maintenance. Even the smallest deviation in performance is analysed to identify their root cause. This improves the mean time between failures and the longevity of the asset. It also reduces downtime and costs incurred on unnecessary maintenance. The strength of AI-based predictive maintenance lies in processing voluminous amounts of data and providing insights in real-time. Artificial Intelligence can be very useful in implementing predictive maintenance systems in a manufacturing plant. It can trawl through vast amounts of complex data from equipment, machinery and other plant assets and provide insightful information to improve their operation, maintenance and service life.
Data
To be effective, predictive maintenance needs a vast amount of data. These include process parameters like pressure, temperature and composition and also machinery-related data like speed, vibration, acoustics and bearing temperatures. infrared thermography is a non-intrusive testing technology that is widely used in predictive maintenance. With infrared cameras, maintenance personnel can detect above-normal temperatures in equipment. Historical data on past breakdowns and maintenance records are also important inputs to build a predictive maintenance model. General external environmental data like temperature and humidity are also taken into account. Data is collected by sensors and IoT devices.
How does it work?
Predictive maintenance uses data analytics to detect anomalies in operation. Both real-time and historical data are used to anticipate problems before they happen. One of the key tools used in predictive maintenance is time series analysis. Data is collected over time to monitor the performance and health of equipment. Time series analysis involves techniques such as trend analysis and spectral analysis. Trend analysis is used to identify long-term patterns in the data, while spectral analysis is used to identify patterns in the data that repeat over time. The goal is to find patterns that can help predict and ultimately prevent failures. Machine learning algorithms can be trained using historical data to look for tell-tale signs of imminent failure and initiate remedial actions. Time series analysis can also be used to identify the root cause of a failure, which can help organisations to develop more effective maintenance strategies.
Timing preventive maintenance requires a judicious mix of intuitive understanding and experience, a skill set that is not easy to come by. Predictive maintenance avoids this uncertainty with accurate and machine-specific recommendations. The confidence built up by predictive maintenance can be used to optimise and rationalise the inventory of spare parts.
Advantages
The annual maintenance cost in the chemical industry is approximately 1.8% to 2% of the plant replacement value. In a poorly maintained plant, this could be as high as 5%. Further, it is estimated that one-third of the maintenance costs are unnecessary or improperly carried out. Preventive maintenance is believed to be undertaken unnecessarily 50% of the time in many manufacturing industries. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, predictive maintenance is highly cost-effective, saving roughly 8% to 12% over preventive maintenance, and up to 40% over reactive maintenance. Studies have shown that predictive maintenance results in a tenfold increase in ROI. Also, it results in a 25% to 30% reduction in maintenance costs, a 70% to 75% decrease in breakdowns, and a 35% to 45% reduction in downtime. The biggest savings from predictive maintenance come due to reduced downtime. Predictive maintenance allows the maintenance frequency to be as low as possible to prevent unplanned reactive maintenance without incurring costs associated with unnecessary preventive maintenance.
Challenges
Implementing predictive maintenance in an enterprise is fraught with many challenges. It requires Big Data in real-time. Installing the requisite number of sensors on equipment and machinery is expensive. Collecting and integrating large volumes of data from different sources and processing them requires a robust IT infrastructure. Data quality is essential as incorrect and incomplete data can lead to faulty prognosis. Establishing a predictive model is a costly and time-consuming affair. It requires expertise in data analytics and machine learning and there is a shortage of skilled data scientists who can develop and maintain predictive models.
Epilogue
Despite its huge benefits, predictive maintenance is not everyone’s cup of tea. Many companies may be better off by strengthening the condition-monitoring of their key assets instead of jumping onto the predictive maintenance bandwagon. A certain level of maturity in maintenance is a precondition for implementing predictive maintenance.
Readers’ responses may be sent to:
k.sahasranaman@gmail.com or
chemindigest@gmail.com
Chemical Industry Digest – August 2023 Issue
Chemingineering – Predictive Maintenance
– K Sahasranaman, Independent Consultant
Unlock the Future of Maintenance: Predictive Maintenance Saves Costs, Reduces Downtime, and Boosts Efficiency. But Is Your Company Ready?
Industry 4.0 and Supply Chain Management
– V. Raju, Business Head and Senior Vice President, All Cargo
Explore how close collaboration between the chemical sector and logistics providers can address infrastructure bottlenecks and ensure secure, eco-friendly transportation. Latest digital technologies of Industry 4.0 come as a boon.
India Poised to be a Major Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation Hub Globally
– Anurag Roy, CEO, Astec Lifesciences Ltd
India’s CDMO industry is poised to make remarkable contribution to global agro-chemical industry, fuelled by R&D, geopolitical shifts, and government support. To truly shine, it must invest in innovation, infrastructure, and supply chain resilience
Novel and New Chemistries for Agriculture
– Ashwin C. Shroff, Executive Chairman, Excel Industries Ltd
Innovative soft chemical solutions are revolutionizing agriculture, enhancing soil quality, and safeguarding the environment. These technologies are boosting sustainability and driving economic growth in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
Specialised Coatings for Protecting Chemical Plants and Equipment
– Paul Symons, Director, Sales, Delta Coatings
Polyurea-based coatings are producing superior performance for chemical plant protection with rapid curing, exceptional chemical resistance, and blast mitigation capabilities. Discover why these high-performance coatings are the top choice for safeguarding critical assets and ensuring safety in demanding industrial environments.
Pitting Corrosion: The Damage it Causes and Ways to Combat it
– Atul A Dole, General Manager, Kirloskar Corrocoat Ltd
How glass flake coatings offer robust protection against the insidious threat of pitting corrosion, safeguarding industrial equipment from structural damage and operational disruptions are well described.
Q&A on Fertilizers:
Two leading experts and industry captains, R. G. Rajan, Independent Consultant and Sailesh Mehta, CMD Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd., present the current scenario, challenges and the directions of growth.
And on Agrochemicals:
The challenges facing the Indian agrochemical industry are stated by SK Chaudhary, Founder Director, Safex Chemicals India Ltd.
Profile: Professor Arun Mujumdar, Multifaceted Chemical Engineer with Extraordinary Commitment to Research, Learning and Mentoring
Professor Arun Mujumdar, a trailblazing figure in chemical engineering, heat transfer, and food science, has left an indelible mark through decades of pioneering research, mentorship, and global collaboration. Read about his fascinating journey.
Chandrayaan-3: India Achieves Historic South Pole Landing on Moon
India has achieved a historic milestone by successfully landing its Moon mission in the lunar south pole region. This achievement puts India in an exclusive group of countries that have accomplished a soft landing on the Moon, including the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China. The Vikram lander, part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, executed its planned landing at 18:04 local time.
This achievement by India comes shortly after Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft encountered difficulties and crashed on the Moon, highlighting the challenges of landing in the lunar south pole region, which features an uneven surface with numerous craters and boulders.
India’s previous lunar mission in 2019, which also aimed to soft-land in this region, was not successful, resulting in the destruction of its lander and rover, although the orbiter remained operational. The successful landing of Vikram, named after ISRO founder Vikram Sarabhai, was preceded by tense moments as it executed a precise descent, gradually reducing its speed to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface. Subsequently, the rover named Pragyaan (Sanskrit for wisdom) emerged from the lander and began exploring the Moon’s surface, collecting vital data and images for transmission to Earth.
As reported by BBC News, one of the primary objectives of this mission is to search for water-based ice on the Moon, which has the potential to support future human habitation and provide propellant for missions to Mars and other distant destinations. Scientists believe that there may be significant reserves of water ice in the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar south pole.
The lander and rover are equipped with five scientific instruments to study the Moon’s surface, the adjacent atmosphere, and tectonic activity beneath the surface. Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission, aims to build upon the successes of earlier missions and is expected to make substantial scientific discoveries.
This achievement follows India’s first Moon mission, Chandrayaan-1, in 2008, which confirmed the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface and established the existence of an atmosphere during daytime. Despite the soft landing failure of Chandrayaan-2, its orbiter remains operational and will assist the Vikram lander in transmitting data and images to Earth for analysis.
India’s lunar success is part of a broader global interest in lunar exploration, with numerous other missions planned for the Moon’s surface. Scientists believe that there is still much to learn about the Moon, often seen as a gateway to deeper space exploration.
Scientists behind the success of Chandrayaan-3:
These prominent individuals played a pivotal role in cementing India’s place in the annals of history due to the remarkable achievement of Chandrayaan-3. Chandrayaan-3 has successfully touched down on the Moon’s South Pole, a region where the presence of water molecules and ice has been confirmed. This lunar mission is slated to operate efficiently for a span of two weeks. Equipped with four specialized scientific instruments, its primary objectives include conducting a series of experiments aimed at identifying moonquakes, studying the heat transfer mechanisms within the lunar surface, analyzing the plasma environment surrounding the Moon, and gaining insights into the gravitational interplay between the Moon and our planet.
Chemical Industry Digest – July 2023 Issue
Chemingineering – Fascinating Fluorine
– K Sahasranaman, Independent Consultant
Fluorine’s incorporation into molecules imparts beneficial properties, seen in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, electrical and electronic materials, and batteries. Materials, with exceptional resistance to chemicals and heat are made. Fluorochemistry
offers fascinating opportunities, but environmental issue should be taken care of.
Enhancing Drug Solubility: A Key Challenge in Pharmaceutical Development
– Dr Sanjay Jain, Alembic Pharmaceutical Ltd.
Drug solubility is a crucial factor influencing drug performance and therapeutic efficacy as its improved solubility leads to increased bioavailability and more efficacy. Article covers strategies to enhance drug solubility including on advanced techniques.
Navigating the Landscape of the Specialty Chemical Sector: An Overview and Insights
– Naresh Patel, Ami Organics Ltd.
The specialty chemical sector is a rapidly growing industry with diverse applications in healthcare, agriculture,electronics, and more. The industry’s future outlook remains bright, driven by innovations and partnerships, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, says the author.
Photocatalysis: A Green Chemistry Approach for Wastewater Treatment
– Dr. Rakshit Ameta, Prof. Suresh Ameta
Advanced oxidation processes, particularly photocatalysis, offer a green and effective
solution for wastewater treatment. How photocatalysis works is well explained including
what enhances photocatalytic activity.
Harnessing Emerging Technologies in the Pharmaceutical Industry
– Harsha Gurulingappa, Merck IT Center
The pharmaceutical and life science industries are rapidly adopting AI and allied technologies, such as Generative AI and Large Language Models, to enhance drug discovery, molecular research, and manufacturing processes according to the author.
Chemical Safety and the Hidden Hazards: A Challenge in the Oil and Gas Industry
– Dr. Ashish Mulraj Ved
The article enumerates the serious hazards with real-world case studies and its consequences.
Interview – Zarir N Langrana, Executive Director, Tata Chemicals
The scope and importance of sustainability and how it is driving technological and attitudinal changes in industry and in Tata Chemicals is well articulated.
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