‘Proper machinery function crucial to reduce gas leaks'
2
Nagpur: Faulty mechanical seals in pumps have become a leading cause of gas leaks in industrial equipment, said Atul Vaidya, vice-chancellor of Lakshminarayan Innovation Technological University (LITU).
Speaking at a seminar on fugitive emissions organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Vaidya emphasised the critical importance of raw materials and their processes in the industry.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Vaidya said, "Fugitive emission is a well-known issue, which can be best managed when you understand your processes and raw materials. Air pollution and emissions started to get attention after the Bhopal gas tragedy."
He added that the emission doesn't need to come from a specific industry, "it can originate either from a labour-intensive industry or the automated industry as well".
Discussing the main source of fugitive emissions, Vaidya said that leaks in the pumps of processing machines lead to localised gas contamination, which can result in fatal or deadly accidents. "This type of leak is difficult to detect, and the cause behind it is not easily identified; therefore, ensuring machinery functions properly is crucial to reducing emissions," he said.
"The concentration of emissions is very harmful, as sometimes it can be fatal and sometimes life-threatening, and therefore, managing fugitive emissions is very important," he said. He emphasized that the main causes of fugitive emissions are twofold: first, the storage of liquid chemicals; and second, during operations like filling and emptying tanks, which create pressure and cause evaporation, leading to emissions.
Later, entrepreneur and environmentalist Ashish Kaswa, in a panel discussion on 'Evolving global and Indian standards on fugitive emissions', said, "Unknowingly, farmers are one of the biggest contributors to pollution. They burn their crops due to a narrow window between harvesting and sowing. The problem is farmers don't know that this is a bad thing for them. So, the only way to solve this issue is creating awareness," Kaswa said and called on social service groups and NGOs to help in this regard.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
India will soon be among the top three economies of the world: PM Modi
India will soon be among the top three economies of the world, and its missions on artificial intelligence, semiconductor and quantum computing are becoming the new engines of growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said. In an address at a gathering of the Indian diaspora on Thursday, Modi said India is a land of opportunities today, and the fruits of its growth and progress are reaching the "most needy". "For New India, even the sky is not the limit", he added. In his address, the prime minister also highlighted the resilience of the Indian economy and its upward trajectory. "India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Soon, we will be among the top three economies of the world. The fruits of India's growth and progress are reaching the most needy," he said. The prime minister said India has shown that poverty can be defeated by empowering the poor and that crores of people, for the first time, have developed the confidence that the country can be freed from poverty. Modi said India's growth is being powered by its "innovative and energetic" youth. "Today, India is the third-largest startup hub in the world. Nearly half of these startups also have women as directors. Nearly 120 startups have got unicorn status," he said. "National missions for AI, Semiconductor and Quantum computing are becoming the new engines of growth. In a way, innovation is becoming a mass movement," he noted. Modi also showcased India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), saying it has revolutionised digital payments. "Nearly 50 per cent of the world's real-time digital transactions take place in India. I congratulate Trinidad and Tobago for being the first country in the region to adopt UPI." The prime minister also outlined India's rapid development and transformation in the fields of infrastructure, defence and manufacturing.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Indian Ham Radio Operator Will Connect With Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
New Delhi: In a unique space to Earth Communications Bridge, India's orbiting Gaganyatri Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will hold a conversation with a special audience at ISRO's UR Rao Satellite Center in Bengaluru today. This dialogue possibly with students will not be done via a regular video link but by using the old-fashioned technology called HAM radio. In an age dominated by smartphones and social media, a century-old hobby continues to quietly shape the world of communication, science, and public service. Ham Radio, also known as Amateur Radio, is more than just a pastime - it's a global, technology-driven social network that has connected millions across continents, from students and astronauts to royalty and farmers. Often hailed as the "King of Hobbies," Ham Radio allows individuals to communicate wirelessly with others around the world using home-built transmitters and receivers. But its significance goes far beyond casual conversation. From the Titanic disaster to the recent Cyclone Fani, Ham Radio has played a vital role in emergency communication during natural calamities, often serving as the only lifeline when conventional networks fail. India is home to over 38,000 licensed Ham Radio operators, spanning diverse professions and age groups. Among them stands a towering figure, BA Subramani (call sign: VU2WMY), Station Director of ISRO's Upagrah Amateur Radio Club and Director of the Educational Outreach Programme at AMSAT India. His journey from a Space Simulation Engineer to a national leader in amateur satellite communication is a testament to the transformative power of this hobby. After a long career at India's space agency, he retired and now runs this Ham radio network as serious hobby. Astronaut Shukla will connect with the Indian audience at 3:47 pm India time and a select group of special invitees will be able to dialogue with Shukla. Subramani joined ISRO in 1984 and has since been instrumental in conducting space environmental simulation tests for landmark missions such as Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, and Chandrayaan-2. His expertise spans spacecraft testing at subsystem, system, and full spacecraft levels, ensuring mission readiness under simulated space conditions. A licensed Radio Ham since 1986, Subramani holds an Advanced Grade license with the call sign VU2WMY. He is active across all amateur frequency bands and modes, including cutting-edge software-based digital modes. With over 10,000 radio contacts spanning 150 countries - including Antarctica - his reach is truly global. But Subramani's contributions extend far beyond personal achievements. He has played a pivotal role in the upkeep and operations of ISRO's Ham Radio station, and is a founding member of AMSAT-India, an organisation dedicated to designing and launching amateur satellites. His technical acumen has been crucial in configuring, testing, and evaluating HAMSAT payloads, and he has supported telemetry tracking for student-built satellites like STUDSAT, SRMSAT, JUGNU, and others. One of his most notable achievements includes activating the Amateur Radio APRS payload onboard the spent stage of the PSLV C45 rocket, showcasing how Ham Radio can be integrated into mainstream space missions. He has also provided emergency communication support during disasters such as the Latur earthquake, Odisha cyclones, and the 2004 tsunami, where he operated uninterrupted Ham Radio services for 16 days in Cuddalore. Subramani's passion for education is equally commendable. He is actively involved in establishing amateur satellite ground stations at schools and engineering colleges, training students and faculty in real-time satellite tracking, telemetry decoding, and space communication. His outreach includes over 175 lectures and hands-on workshops across India, covering topics like Short Wave Listening, Software Defined Radios (SDR), visual spotting of satellites, and life aboard the International Space Station. Ham Radio's relevance in today's digital age is profound. It offers a gateway to understanding electronics and communication technology, especially valuable for those from non-technical backgrounds. With simple equipment and free software, enthusiasts can receive real-time telemetry and payload data from satellites, track space objects, and even interact with astronauts aboard the ISS. As the world embraces space exploration and satellite technology, Ham Radio remains a powerful tool for education, innovation, and public service. And in India, BA Subramani stands as a beacon of what this hobby can achieve - bridging the gap between amateur passion and professional excellence, and inspiring a new generation to look to the skies not just with wonder, but with purpose. Subramani will make history when he speaks to Gaganyatri Shukla and is able to convey the excitement of how India reached the International Space Station.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Shubhanshu Shukla completes over 100 orbits of Earth, gets much-needed day off
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's lone astronaut aboard the International Space Station, has completed over 100 orbits of the planet since Indian astronaut, who is on his maiden voyage to space, got a much-needed week off on completion of a week in space since launch. He has been working on seven Indian experiments and participating in other joint studies with Nasa and his Axiom-4 an update, Axiom Space said that the crew enjoyed a well-earned off-duty day, giving them a chance to recharge and connect with family and friends back on week, our onboard space family grew from 7 to 11, uniting 11 unique journeys, 6 partner nations, and a shared mission to advance science and human exploration of the cosmos.@AstroAnnimal and @Astro_Ayers worked together to monitor Dragon Grace on its maiden voyage to the Jonny Kim (@JonnyKimUSA) July 1, 2025 The astronauts have completed approximately 113 orbits around Earth, covering over 4.67 million kilometers. To put that into perspective, that's nearly 12 times the distance between Earth and the just one week, the Ax-4 astronauts have already made impressive progress in their science missions. Mission Commander Peggy Whitson is working on cancer research, using microgravity to study how tumour cells behave in space — research that could help identify new treatment options for metastatic said that Shux is carrying out experiments on how space conditions affect the growth and genetics of algae, and how tiny, tough creatures called tardigrades survive and reproduce in space. These studies could offer important insights into how cells stay strong and adapt, with possible benefits for medicine on Earth. Mission specialist Sawosz Uznaski-Winiewski is testing a new wearable device that monitors sound levels on the space station. This technology aims to protect astronauts' hearing and improve spacecraft the same time, Tibor Kapu is tracking radiation levels using a special Hungarian-made device and is also leading an experiment to grow microgreens in space — a key step toward producing fresh food for long-term missions."With more than a hundred sunrises and sunsets witnessed from orbit, the Ax-4 mission is advancing science progress in space and inspiring a new generation of explorers. After a day of rest, the crew will be ready to resume their packed research and outreach agendas," Axiom said.- EndsTune InMust Watch
