The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on June 02, 2023, issued a circular regarding the Retro-fitting of Emission Control Device (RECD) for in-use Diesel operated Internal combustion engines up to 800kW (1000KVA) gross mechanical power for generator set in the state of Maharashtra.
The Hon'ble National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi in Original Application No. 681/2018 vide order dated August 06, 2019, noted that the air pollution caused due to DG sets needs to be part of the action plans, which may, if necessary, retrofitting of emission control devices on generators already in use.
The Retrofit Emission Control Devices (RECD) are certified by one of the following recognized and approved Agencies by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
• Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI Pune)
• International Centre for Automotive Testing (ICAT Manesar)
• Indian Institute of Petroleum (IP Dehradun)
• Vehicle Research Development Establishment (VRDE Ahmednagar).
If the rated power or swept volume of the test engine is within the range of 25% of the rated power or swept volume of the engine for which the device is being used, the retrofit emission control device/equipment should be tested by one of the above CPCB approved labs over 130 8178-5 mode D2 cycle for equivalent KVA rating for reduction of particular matter, Carbon Monoxide and hydrocarbons by more than 70% equivalent engine should be considered.
The guideline provided Exhaust Emission Limits, Applicability and Requirement to Retrofit Emission Control Devises (RECD) to be installed on all the Phase- I & Phase-1 engines/engine families as mentioned below, which have completed five years from the date/month of engine manufacturing:
Phase-1 Engines: The engines complying to emission limits as specified in CPCB Stage-1 /GSR 371 dated May 17, 2002 and the diesel genset engines manufactured/imported on or after July 01, 2004 till July 01, 2014 shall establish the compliance of minimum 70% reduction of Particulate Matter by using the retrofitted after treatment device's without adversely affecting any other emission parameters.
Phase-II Engines: The engines complying to emission limits as specified in CPCB Stage-2/GSR 771(E) dated December 11, 2013 and its amendment vide GSR 232(E) dated March 31, 2014, and the diesel genset engines manufactured imported on or after July 01, 2014 shall establish the compliance of minimum 70% reduction of Particulate Matter by using the retro-fitted after treatment device/s without adversely affecting any other emission parameters.
Therefore, implement on all Industries and Establishments. Please take note that within 120 days of the date that this circular was issued, all projects, buildings, utilities, airports, train stations, and other locations in the State of Maharashtra that use diesel generator sets with a capacity of up to 800 KW (1000KVA) must comply with the said circular.
[Circular No. MPCB/JD(APC)/NCAP/DG Set/B-0096]
