Pollution Potential of Jaggery Industry: A Case Study
Abstract
Jaggery industries are one of the agrobased cottage sectors in India. Jaggery production involves extraction of juice from the sugarcane and heating it to obtain a concentratei.e. Jggery or Gur. Sugarcane bagasse and wood are used as fuel in the heating furnace, which is the main source of pollution. The pollution potential of the Jaggery industries was assessed in the present work that is based on the actual measurements at Jaggery industry sites. Two representative Jaggery industries were identified for detailed field studies including the stack emission monitoring. While selecting the representative industries, the production capacity and provisions of emissions monitoring were considered. Measurements were carried in respect particulate matters, sulthur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide. The particulate matter emissions were observed as 751.5 mg/Nm3 in one industry and 682.5 mg/Nm3 in other industry. It was also noted that the emission of gaseous pollutants namely, sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide from both the industries were low.
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Introduction
The Jaggery industries (also known as Kolhus) make Jaggery or Gur from the sugarcane juice and are one of the agrobased unorganized cottage sectors in India. The industries are owned and operated by farmers using knowledge and expertise gained over the generations. The Jaggeries are constructed using locally available resources such as bricks, soil, sand and mud. Sugarcane bagasse is used as fuel in the furnace. The consumption of sugarcane for Jaggery and Khansari production is given in Table 1 (SBI, 2016).
TABLE 1 DIFFERENT USAGES OF SUGARCANE IN INDIA Year Sugar (%) Seed & feed (%) Gaggery and Khansari (%)* 1971-72 30.2 12 57.8 1981-82 46-90 11.7 41.4 1991-92 53.7 11.8 36.8 2001.02 60.7 11.7 27.6 2011-12 71.2 11.9 16.9 2012-13 73.4 11.8 14.7 *Authentic data for separate Jaggery production is not available.
It can be noticed from Table 1 that the production of Jaggery and Khansari showa decline trend over the decades. Emergence of sugar industries in large number, lack of hygiene, quality of products, changing food habits of population and the economics involve in the Jaggery production may be reasons for decrease in the Jaggery production (Dwivedi, 2010). However, these units are still popular in sugarcane growing states in India. The jaggery industries are seasonal and temporary in nature. Hence, their precise numbers and location are not available. Jaggery is reported to have higher nutritional value as compared to the sugar. Jaggery preserves all the minerals and vitamins present in sugarcane juice such as calcium, iron and phosphorous (Jagannadha Rao et al. 2007; Kumar and Singh, 2020). Contrary to this, in sugar manufacturing, the valuable nutrients and minerals are discharged along with the molasses. Most Jaggery industries are constructed using traditional knowhow. Inefficient burning of fuels and lack of adequate pollution control measures lead to significant air pollution. The present study seeks to present the pollution potential of Jaggery industries based on field studies and the measurement of emissions at site.
Conclusion
In the present study, two representative Gaggery industries were monitored to assess the pollution potential of these units. The particulate matter emissions were observed as 751.5 mg/Nm3 in one industry and 682.5 mg/Nm3 in other industry. Emissions of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide from both the industries were found low. The furnaces of the jaggery industries were seen constructed traditionally. As a result, significant heat loss is expected. The energy efficient furnace design with improved flue gas path and use of multi-pan heating arrangement can substantially reduce emission of pollutants (Arya et al., 2013). In addition, provision of baffles in the flue gas path can reduce particulate matter in stack. Use of flap on fuel feed hole can properly control air flow. In addition, afire grate, if proved, can ensure complete burning of fuel. These measure can reduce pollution problem besides improving process efficiency.
DECLARATIONS Data availability The information and data presented are based on the field studies and actual measurements at Jaggery sites. Interpretation of data are based on available literature and author’sexperience in the field.
Conflict of interest The author declares no financial or non-financial conflict of interests.