ARKAY ENERGY (RAMESWARM) LTD.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ON EIA-EMP REPORT

FOR

PROPOSED

Expansion by installing Additionaly of 10 X 8.73 MW Engines to enhance the capacity to 182.1 MW

within the Existing Power Plant premises

at

Survey No. 205/1,2,2B,3A, 207/2, Valuthur Village, Ramanathapuram Taluk,

Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu

February, 2011

AMBA RECYCLER PRIVATE LIMITED, B-3, R.M. Tower, 108, Chamiers Road, Chennai 600 018.

Executive Summary AERL, Valuthur - Expantion

1.1

Introduction

The Gas Engines based power generation are the most eco-friendly process of electricity generation.
The Area required for gas engine based power plants are far less than similar size power plants
based on coal or combined cycle gas based power plants. There are no cumbersome movement of
fuel as in coal based power plant or handling of fly ash/bottom ash. More-over, the engines are
radiator cooled thus resulting in substantial conservation of water.

The gas being sweet with insignificant Sulphur content, the impact due to SO2 in ambient
environment is very negligible. The engines are also designed to limit NOX emissions to less than 50
ppm. Overall gas based power plants are most environment friendly subject to availability of natural
gas.

1.2

Project Location

The proposed expansion of Gas based Power Plant will be located within the existing plant premises
at Survey No. 205/1,2,2B,3A, 207/2 of Valuthur Village in Ramanathapuram Taluk, Ramanathpuram
District, Tamilnadu. The location of which is shown in Fig 1.1, Fig 1.2. The area has 4-gas based
power plant operating at present.

The latitude and longitude of the site is as follows.

Executive Summary AERL, Valuthur - Expantion

Fig. 1.1 Topo Map

Executive Summary AERL, Valuthur - Expantion

Fig. 1.2 Administrative Set-up Map

Executive Summary AERL, Valuthur - Expantion

1.3

Plant Configuration

Existing

10 x 8.73 MW + HRSG for Each Engine + Single Steam Turbine of 7.5 MW

Proposed Additional

10 x 8.73 MW

1.4

Land Requirement

The Total Land Area available at present is 13.00 Acres. Existing Plant Built-up Area is 6.50 Acres.
Proposed 2 Engines will be installed within the existing shop floor, and about 1.5 Acres of land will
be used to install additional 8 Engines. Total greenbelt area is about 4.0 Acres and 1.0 Acre of land
consists of open area, Roads and utilities.

1.5

Water Requirement

The gas engines are based on Radiator Cooling, and hence no water is required for engine cooling.
The main condensate of HRSG is also air cooled, thus this also wouldnt require any water. The water
requirement is only to make up the blow down losses in the HRSG, auxiliary cooling and domestic
requirements apart from green belt development. The total water consumption of the existing plant
is 20 KLD. The existing Source of water supply is from the sea water desalination plant M/s. South
Ganga Waters Technologies Pvt. Ltd located in Ramanathapuram.

There will not be any additional water requirement for the proposed expansion, and the additional
domestic water requirement of 1.3kl will be met from the existing supply of 20 KLD.

1.6

Gas Availability

The Existing Plant is consuming about 4,50,000 SCMD. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas,
GoI had indicated availability of additional non APM gas from the ONGC fields of Kanjirangudi and
Palk Bay fields of ONGC in Ramnad Zone. AERL have been allotted additional gas to meet the
requirements of the expansion plant.

Executive Summary AERL, Valuthur - Expantion

The additional gas requirement is 4,50,000 SCMD, the characteristics of which is as follows.
Natural Gas Specifications :Vol%
Methane

CH4

91.70

Ethane

C2H6

4.13

Propane

C3H8

1.69

i-Butane

i-C4H10

0.23

n-Butane

n-C4H10

0.39

i-Pentane

i-C5H12

0.12

n-Pentane

n-C5H12

0.17

Hexane

C6H14

0.21

Nitrogen

N2

1.03

Carbon Dioxide

CO2

0.33

Grand Total

100.00

LCV

10000 kCal/s.cu.m

1.7

Manpower

The existing manpower is 70-nos, and an additional of 30-nos would be required for expansion thus
resulting in a total of 100 employees upon expansion.

1.8

Baseline Environmental Conditions

Baseline environmental studies for various environmental attributes were carried out during the
months Dec 2010 Feb 2011.

1.8.1

Ambient air quality

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (AAQM) stations were set up at eight locations. The samples were
collected twice in a week for one complete season, respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM),
oxides of Sulphur (SO2), oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) were collected on a 24-hourly basis and CO, HC on
an 8-hourly basis. The baseline air quality is as shown below:

Executive Summary AERL, Valuthur - Expantion

Location

Concentration g/Nm3

Station
Code

SO2

NOX

RSPM

HC

CO

Project site

SA1

6-11

7-15

30-43

< 65

< 114.5

Endal

SA2

7-13

10-16

35-53

< 65

< 114.5

Kundurani

SA3

8-12

9-14

32-42

< 65

< 114.5

Alankulam

SA4

7-13

11-16

36-52

< 65

< 114.5

Ramanvalasai

SA5

7-12

8-15

30-42

< 65

< 114.5

Valantharavai

SA6

7-13

7-16

35-51

< 65

< 114.5

Paruthikattuvalasai

SA7

8-10

9-14

36-40

< 65

< 114.5

Perunkulam

SA8

7-13

9-16

35-53

< 65

< 114.5

6-13

7-16

30-53

< 65

< 114.5

Overall

1.8.2

Ambient noise levels

Noise levels were monitored at Eight (8) locations for assessing the existing noise levels in and
around the project site. The monitoring was carried out once in the season for 24 hours and found to
be within the permissible levels.

1.8.3

Water Quality

Seven ground water samples and Three surface water samples were collected during the study
period.
The ground waters in the borewells and dugwells showed pH values ranging in between 7.76-8.14.
TDS values were found in the range of 790-1280 mg/l. Chloride values ranging from 286 mg/l to 320
mg/l. Iron content was found to be in the range 0.08-0.12 mg/l.

Oil and grease, phenolic

compounds, cyanides, sulphides and insecticides were found to be absent. BOD and COD values
were monitored in lower levels. Trace metals were found to be below their detectable limits. In
general, the water quality of ground waters were found to be within the prescribed IS:10500 Norms.
The surface waters were analysed and found to have neutral pH in the range 7.58-7.98, agreeable
colour, taste and odour. The surface waters were having DO levels in the range 5.2-5.6 mg/l. TDS
values were found in the range of 300-22600 mg/l. Chloride values were ranging from 88 mg/l to

Executive Summary AERL, Valuthur - Expantion

12800 mg/l. Iron content was found to be in the range of 0.06-0.14 mg/l. Oil and grease, phenolic
compounds, cyanides, sulphides and insecticides were found to be absent. Trace metals were found
to be below their detectable limits. Monitored low BOD (<2-3 mg/l) and COD (20-64 mg/l) values
indicate that the surface waters were not polluted due to anthropogenic activity. The Water Quality
at Vaigai River was found to be brackish due to the tidal influences in the Confluence area

1.8.4

Soil Quality

In general, the soils of this area are broadly categorized as red loamy soils (mixed with black soils).
These soils significantly differ from place to place due to other associated parameters. The terrain
conditions and the organic matter mainly reflect their characteristics in the soil formation in the
area.

1.8.5

Flora and Fauna

In the proposed project site totally 59 plant species were found. Totally 972 individuals were
representing 59 species. Borassus flabellifer L. was the dominant species among 59 species. Cyperus
rotundus L. was having lower number of individuals (4). Cuscuta sp. a parasitic species was occurred
in the proposed site which was a nuisance one to the common species like Azadiracta indica.

In the study area totally 35 faunal species were found. Totally 504 individuals were representing 35
species. Bufo melanostictus was the dominant species among 35 species. Danaus chrysippus and
Acantholepis were having lower number of individuals (7).

1.8.6

Baseline socio-economic conditions

The total population of Ramanathapuram Taluk in census 2001 was 2,42,360 out of which 1,17,813
(48.61%) are males and 1,24,547 (51.39%) are females. Among the total population 39,213 (16.18%)
belonged to the schedules caste (SC) and 606 (0.25%) belonged to schedules tribes (ST). The literacy
level is 57.51% the working population is 32.75% engaged as main Workers and 5.37% as marginal
workers. The area does have moderate to good facilities for Primary and secondary education. There
are also primary health centres available.

Executive Summary AERL, Valuthur - Expantion

1.9

Anticipated Environmental Impact and Management Plan

1.9.1

Construction Phase

During construction, activities like soil cutting/filling, grading, concreting, piling and
installation of main plant equipment like boilers, turbines etc., will be performed.
Temporarily, some of the environmental parameters may get disturbed during the
construction phase.

Dust pollution will be minimized by water spraying and maintenance of road. The
construction heavy vehicles will be maintained properly to ensure emission within
permissible levels and also reducing the noise levels. Adopting good construction and
engineering practices will help in mitigating the water pollution. Temporary arrangements
will be made for septic tank/pit to get rid of sanitary problem at construction site.

However, these impacts are expected to be temporary in nature that will subside once
construction period is over.

Temporary beneficial socio-economic impact in terms of increased jobs and flow of money
to the workers and villagers settled nearby is expected during the construction period.
Migration of workers population is expected to be minimum, as local workers from the
nearby area will be preferred for temporary employment.

1.9.2
1.9.2.1

Operation Phase
Air Environment

Use of Natural Gas in a Gas Engine based Power Plant by itself obviates any air pollution. There are
no fugitive/dust generation in a gas engine based power plant. Use of sweet gas eliminates any SO2
generation because of negligible sulphur concentration in the Natural Gas. There will be no
particulate generation in the flue gas of the gas engines.

The only pollutant of concern is NOX. The NOX generation in flue gas of existing plant is restricted to
< 50 ppm in the existing plant.

Executive Summary AERL, Valuthur - Expantion

1.9.2.2

Waste Water Management

The gas engines are based on Radiator Cooling, and hence no water is required for engine cooling.
The main condensate of HRSG is also air cooled. The waste water generated is only from the blow
down in the HRSG, auxiliary cooling blow down and domestic sewage. The blow down will be taken
to cooling ponds and then guard pond. The composite waste water will be used for green belt
development. The domestic sewage will be treated in the existing septic tank and dispersed through
dispersion trench.

1.9.2.3

Solid Waste Management

The power plant is gas based power plant and hence there will not be any solid waste generation
from the process of power generation. There will be a small quantity of used oil, which will be
200kgs/year. This is given to authorized recyclers.

1.9.2.4

Noise Pollution

Noise is the major source of pollution that has an impact on the ambient environment. The noise
level within shop floor will be maintained within OSHA standards, however in order to ensure least
impact on the ambient environment, a wall has been erected shown below apart for other
measures like anti vibratory bolts, pads, mufflers etc.

Executive Summary AERL, Valuthur - Expantion

1.10 Environmental Monitoring Programme

S.No.
1

Parameter
Ambient air quality

Source emissions

Ground water quality

Wastewater quality

Soil sample

Ambient Noise Environment

Work Atmosphere Noise

Occupational Health and safety

Frequency
Twice in a for 24 hours continuously to monitor
RSPM, SO2, NOx, CO, HC levels.
Continuous On-line monitoring for RSPM, SO2,
and NOx.
Once in a month except for heavy metals which
will be monitored quarterly. Monitoring will be
carried out for parameters specified under
IS:10500, 1991.
Once in a month will be carried out for 24 hours
continuously as per EPA Rules, 1986.
Soil samples will be monitored quarterly for
parameters specified by TNPCB.
Ambient noise environment will be monitored
once in a season.
Noise level monitoring will be carried out within
the power plant premises once in a month.
Qualified doctors carry out pre-employment
and periodical medical check-up of all the
employees.

1.11 Risk Analysis

Risk assessment study of the proposed expansion of the power plant was carried out. All
equipment vulnerable to explosion or fire are designed to relevant IS codes & statutory
regulations. Suitable fire protection system comprising hydrants and spray systems are
provided for fire protection.
Comprehensive on-site/off site emergency plan and disaster management plan is already
implemented based on Risk Assessment Study.
1.12 Conclusion

The proposed expansion of AERL being located as per norms of the siting guidelines of
MoEF/TNPCB and adoption of extensive pollution control techniques to maintain the
emission/discharges within the permissible norms will have least impact on the ambient
environment.

10