The smoggy kilns: The zig-zag solution to pollution

New technology to help curb smoke emissions from brick kilns.


Azam Khan May 22, 2011

ISLAMABAD:


Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has asked the brick kiln owners to install ‘zig-zag’ technology to reduce the environmental pollution “these smoke-emitting units” cause. The environmental watch dog in a meeting with Brick Kilns Association office-bearers on Friday asked the owners to follow the set procedure.


“We would not spare any one who defies the court’s orders,” Assadullah Faiz, Director-General, Pak-EPA told The Express Tribune on Friday. He said that under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the environmental body, the capital city would be made pollution free. “However, we will not withdraw cases registered against brick kiln owners because these were referred to environmental tribunal on merit,” he said.

A detailed discussion was held with the association of brick kilns on adoption of zig-zag technology which will help reduce pollution. The owners will also be able to sell their carbon credits to foreign investors and earn foreign exchange. The owners agreed to work with government departments on a pilot project, Faiz said.

Responding to a question, he said that at present no kiln is operational in the vicinity of Benazir Bhutto International Airport. The Pak-EPA in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment is taking initiatives to avail carbon credit facility for all the brick kiln owners after getting the red-zone cleared, he added. The red-zone  near the airport was earlier under scrutiny due to presence of several brick kilns over there.

Pak-EPA chief said that the environment ministry is in the process of initiating a pilot project for availing carbon credits facility in the country to bring foreign investors and latest technologies in order to reduce carbon levels.

He was of the view that this facility will definitely prove helpful in keeping the environment safe and clean. Other countries of our region are already availing this facility and earning huge amounts of foreign exchange because of it, Faiz said.

Minister of Environment Samina Khalid Ghurki recently informed the lower house of the parliament during the question hour that out of the 12 brick kilns very close to the airport, five brick kilns have now stopped operation, while cases of the remaining seven were referred to an environmental tribunal for trial. Construction of a model brick kiln unit based on Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln technology is underway with the assistance of Swiss authorities, the minister added.

“Brick Kiln Association is keen to switch over to the new technology once it is successfully demonstrated for operation in Pakistan,” she said. Responding to a question, the minister said the environment ministry has worked out a three-phase programme to relocate brick kilns from Islamabad.

In the first phase, Zone IV and V and brick kilns located in the red zone (very close to the airport) will be shifted. About 43 brick kilns fall in this category and 27 brick kilns have already been dismantled. In the second phase, about 20 brick kilns located between red zone and outer periphery of Islamabad Capital Territory, away from the airport, will be asked to move. According to Environmental Protection Tribunal orders, brick kilns located within a radius of 12 kilometres around the airport will have to be shifted elsewhere, while those located outside the 12km radius but within 20km of the airport will have to install a smoke control device. The entire process is to be completed within three months.

In the third phase, Zone II and III brick kilns on the outer periphery of ICT will be shifted. About 50 brick kilns fall in this category.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2011.

COMMENTS (9)

Sajid Mahmood (chemist-Air EMS Project) | 12 years ago | Reply I have handed over my design in my meeting at EEBP Office . They will fabricate it according to my designed and again test it according to their standardized procedure and validate it if successful. i hope for the best this will be great achievement in the field of environment especially to reduce pollution especially black carbon produce by brick kiln of BTK type technology. i cordially thankful to Engr. Tahir Pervaiz Dar (EEBP) and his efforts to promote energy efficient technology in Pakistan. We all pray for the best.
Sajid Mahmood (Chemist-air EMS project) | 12 years ago | Reply Thanks for that but sir this device was made just for experiment basis and it was made with cheap material to test my design whether successful or not. after successful experiment i made a test report and then made manual of this design. This design/Device was recommended by the Pakistan Environmental Tribunal. i recommended that for proper working of this device it should be made with high resistance heat/ corrosive material.so if any body want to use it which already EPT order to brick kiln owner of 12km to 20km radius which is mentioned by the Minister of Environment Samina Khalid Ghurki in her interview to The Express Tribune. if you want to use or test it contact with me and it will take time to again manufacture on my prescribed design. it is not possible to available this device on 29th June of this month. Mobile # 00923005066011 email: searchline2001@yahoo.com
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ