Why retrofitting Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) in Indian thermal power plants is a more viable and effective option compared to the installation of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems?

Electrostatic Precipitators ESPs are devices which use electric charge to trap suspended particles in outgoing gas/smoke. Flue gas Desulfurizers FGDs are devices that remove SOx from the emitted gas/smoke. ESPs more viable than FGDs, because - huge cost of FGD units, most TPPs emitting SOx below NAAC standards - as per Principal Scientific Advisor, more flexible & adaptable, per prevailing environmental conditions, ESPs - based on indigenous technology & heavy import-dependency on FGDs, ESPs - more energy efficient than FADs, TPPs are already under pay plagued by payment delays - due to poor performance of DISCOMs - installation of costly FGD → more burden way forward.

region-specific environmental impact studies of PPT impact of TPPs boost to domestic manufacturing & ESPs. Retrofitting of ESPs instead of installation of new FGDs would be both economically & technically feasible step.

— ADITYA PATHAK · AIR 189