Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), a state-owned engineering firm, announced on Aug 23 that it had successfully manufactured the first set of indigenous SCR Catalysts for limiting NOx emissions from thermal power plants. These selective catalyst reactors (SCR) were previously imported, and this is a significant milestone under the government's 'Make in India' initiative, according to a BHEL statement.

According to the statement, Renuka Gera, Director (Industrial Systems & Products), BHEL, flagged off the first set of indigenously manufactured SCR catalysts for the 5x800 MW Yadadri Thermal Power Station in Telangana from the company's Solar Business Division (SBD) unit in Bengaluru.

To address NOx abatement in thermal power plants, BHEL has established an SCR catalyst manufacturing facility at its SBD unit.

Coal combustion produces nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O) from the nitrogen bound in coal. These byproducts are known as nitrogen oxides (NOx), and they are a major pollutant.

Recognising the long-term severe effects of NOx and taking the Ministry of Environment and Forests' notification into account, Telangana State Power Generation Corporation Limited (TSGENCO) placed an order for SCRs for the 5x800 MW Yadadri thermal power station.

Furthermore, MAHAGENCO for 1x660 MW Bhusawal thermal power station, WBPDCL for 1x660 MW Sagardighi thermal power station, and NALCO for 1x18.5 MW Damanjodi thermal power station.