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Centre for Applied Research & Development
(CARD) is the in-house R&D Centre of NLC India Limited and has been recognized by the Department of
Science & Technology since 1975.
The testing and R&D facilities were upgraded under a project (LERI)
sponsored by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO),
Vienna during 1995 - 2000. The main objective was to strengthen CARD
to improve its capability to provide analytical, environmental
monitoring, R&D, technology and services to industry and the
Government. Under this project, services of national and
international experts were utilized for lignite utilization and
opencast mines, power stations related problems and acquired
sophisticated equipments, training and established combustion and
gasification testing facilities.
The major functions of CARD are carrying out Science & Technology
Projects (Ministry of Coal), In-house S&T Plan Projects, Pollution
level measurements, Quality control Testing & Consultancy services,
Pilot Plant studies based on R&D and commercialization of technology
developed, Coordination of S&T projects taken by other NLC Units,
Institutional services for students, Special studies for operation &
new schemes etc.
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TESTING FACILITIES |
CARD has a well-established analytical facility
and is rendering analytical services towards quality control of
various products/materials used in mines, power stations and other
service units as well as outside agencies. The analytical testing
facility includes lignite analytical, microbiology, material
testing, environmental section, soil mechanical section, metal
testing, paint testing, general analytical, petrography etc.
The sophisticated instruments available include Scanning Electron
Microscope with EDS, ED-X-RAY Fluorescence Spectrometer, Elemental
Analyzer, TGA/DTA, Heating Microscope, Inductively coupled Plasma
spectrometer, Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, High Pressure Liquid
Ion Chromatograph, Nitrogen Analyzer, Fluorescence Microscope,
Petrography microscope, Metallurgical Microscope, Surface area
analyzer, Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System, Power
quality analyzer etc. CARD facilities are available for internal use
and utilized by other agencies like SAIL, BHEL, MECL, GSI, STCMS
etc.
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Scanning Electron Microscope |
Real time Air Quality Monitoring System |
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CARD has implemented Laboratory Information
Management System (LIMS) an application tool for all day-to-day
sample related works.
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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT |
CARD is carrying out various R&D works on lignite
utilization, diversification, product development, by-product
utilization, solid waste management, wasteland reclamation,
corrosion evaluation and prevention etc. For implementing these
projects, CARD is associating with outside agencies like, IIT-Delhi,
IITM-Chennai, IIT-Kharagpur, CIMFR-Dhanbad, TNAU-Coimbatore,
BHEL-Trichy, Anna University-Chennai, Madras University-Chennai,
Annamalai University-Chidambaram, NIIST-Thiruvananthapuram,
VIT-Vellore, NIT-Trichy, CECRI-Karaikudi, VCRC-Pudhucherry, IRERC,
Kollam, etc. Based on the R&D works, some of the processes have been
scaled up to pilot plant scale. The projects include Ministry of
Coal funded R&D projects as well as in-House S&T funded projects.
CARD has completed seventeen projects funded by Ministry of Coal and
seventeen projects under in-house R&D. There are two on-going
Ministry of Coal funded projects and nine on-going projects under
in-house R&D and a study on upgradation of brown coal in association
with M/s Kobe Steel Ltd., Japan with a funding from NEDO, Govt. of
Japan.
CARD/NLC has conducted extensive studies on mine spoil reclamation,
integrated farming system, slope stabilization, ash pond
reclamation, utilization of Fly ash, bottom ash and bottom slag etc.
Corrosion studies have been conducted in SME structures of Mines to
develop suitable coating material. Corrosion studies are also being
conducted in SWC pumps to prevent erosion-corrosion due to adverse
conditions in mining environment.
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Spreader 148 coated with poly siloxane |
Slope stabilized with plantation at
Mine-II |
Integrated Farming System |
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NEW PRODUCTS DEVELOPED |
CARD has patented a process for the production of
potassium humate from lignite. Potassium humate helps to build up
organic matter status in soil and is a plant growth stimulant. By
commercialization of this product, lignite will have a diversified
utility in producing a value added product and thereby promoting
agricultural growth in the country.
CARD successfully completed a joint R&D project with National
Institute of Interdisciplinary Science & Technology (NIIST),
Thiruvananthapuram, for development of a process for the production
of activated carbon from Neyveli lignite. This is a novel method for
the production of activated carbon from lignite . Zeolite has been
synthesized from Neyveli lignite fly ash under the consultancy
project given to IIT/Kharagpur for the reduction of calcium in blow
down water of Thermal Power Stations. Feasibility studies on using
zeolite are proposed on pilot scale water treatment plant at CARD.
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PILOT PLANTS |
Potassium Humate: A pilot plant of capacity 7.20
Lakh litres per annum has been developed successfully. Humic acid is
extracted from lignite. Potassium humate is used for agricultural
application and for land reclamation. Obtained Golden Pea-Cock
Eco-Innovation Award during the year 2008 by World Environment
Foundation. Biofertilizer: Biofertilizers like Rhizobium,
Azospirillum, Azotobacter & Phosphobacteria are produced using
lignite as a carrier material. The products are mainly used in mine
spoil/ash pond reclamation and green cover development in
Afforestation. Activated Carbon Pilot Plant: A pilot plant was
erected for development of a process for production of activated
carbon from lignite. The product was tested its quality and further
studies are in progress for improvement. Zeolite from fly ash: A
Bench scale plant has been established for production of zeolite
from fly ash.
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Humic Acid Plant |
Zeolite – Bench scale plant |
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