Odishatv Bureau
Bhubaneswar: Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has shut down a sinter unit and a boiler in its captive power plant (CPP) in compliance with a directive of State Pollution Control board (SPCB).

While closing down the two units on Monday, RSP undertook various process improvement steps to modifty its pollution control measures. By shutting down the two units, RSP would suffer steel production by about 40 per cent, RSP sources said.

A delegation of the RSP led by its CEO G S Prasad assured the SPCB to rectify certain lacunae by putting in place an action plan. "We have given commitment to SPCB to implement the action plan in a time bound manner and submitted the papers before SPCB for reconsideration of the notice served," a senior executive said.

The RSP on Monday shut down the units Sinter Plant-I and MP Boiler-3 of CPP-I, the executive said adding that the central PSU has meanwhile undertaken various process improvement steps which have brought down pollution levels in both the units below the norm.

In Sinter Plant-I the steps taken include, the changing of 100 per cent pellet in both the strands, changing of both the exhausters, introduction of double cone double acting valves, injection of steam over the sinter bed, increasing the hearth layer thickness and others.

RSP also claimed that in the MP Boiler-3 of CPP-I, 100 per cent use of expensive premium quality coal has commenced from November 2011 which has reduced the stack emission significantly and brought it within the statutory norms.

Process has already started to replace the ESP connected to this boiler at an investment of Rs 13 crore. "The steam load on this boiler will be kept minimum and emphasis on power generation will be given only to the extent of meeting the critical load of the plant till the installation of new ESP," he said.

Seeking more time for meeting all the norms. the RSP has requested the SPCB to allow it to operate these 2 units, as the Steel plant can`t sustain production from its Blast Furnaces for long if these two vital units are closed.

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