Nalco to set up carbon reduction unit at CPP

State-owned National Aluminium Company is planning to set up a carbon absorption unit at its coal-fired Captive Power Plant (CPP) at Angul to reduce carbon emission and get carbon credits.

The company has earmarked 0.18 acre of land for the carbon sequestration project, which is expected to be completed within 18 months,said a company release. The company, however, did not mention the total cost of the project.

Carbon sequestration is a method to manage and store carbon dioxide or other forms of carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere by burning carbon-based fuels.

In this method, a battery of systems are introduced to the gas emitting chimneys and the gas is then modified to suit algae cultivation.Algae, unlike plants, need higher carbon concentration to grow.

“The algae so produced can be used for production of bio-fuel, poultry & cattle feed, aquaculture feed, pharmaceutical products and a kind of organic fuel having high calorific value,” the release said.

The company also aims to generate revenue by implementing the project.

“By successfully implementing this project, Nalco can avail the benefit of carbon credits under Clean Development Mechanism,” the release added.

Carbon credits are certificates that are awarded to groups or institutions who have significantly reduced their carbon emissions.

The carbon credit holders can use the permit or can sell it to other industries who emit more carbon than permissible limit.