NTPC proposes green fuel project

New Delhi, December 5: The Research and Development Centre of National Thermal Power Corporation NTPC is proposing a project on use of alcohol and dimethyl ether as an alternative fuel for green power generation.

According to NTPC sources, investigations are on for finding out the suitability of alcohol or dimethyl ether as an alternative fuel. Though NTPC8217;s research centre at NOIDA is pushing through this project support is also expected from Japan in terms of undertaking a pilot scale study, conducting surveys, holding seminars and providing training in Japan.

Earlier studies conducted by A.B. Peterson Station and General Electric Company showed that using methanol for power generation has several advantages. Some of them are zero particulate discharge from stack, less noxious levels from emissions compared to natural gas burning, low carbon monoxide emissions compared to that from oil firing and no emission of sulphur compounds. Apart from this, deposits formed from oil firing are also likely to be burnt off on subsequent methanol firing.