Pune-based Synefra Engineering & Construction Ltd–a Tanti Group Company, bagged a contract for Project Management from vaccine manufacturer, Serum Institute of India. They spearheaded the conceptualization and implementation of Biomass Briquettes fired steam generator as a replacement for the existing oil fired steam generator at Serum Institute production facility. This renewal energy solution, apart from huge cost savings, shall qualify for carbon credits. The company says the solution has great potential to set a trend in the Pharmaceutical sector to opt for a cleaner and greener technology.
Vivek Deshpande, VP (e-PM), said, “Synefra e-PM, which stands for excellence undertook an in-depth assessment at Serum Institute of India for their existing energy consumption, waste and water consumption and solid waste management through pre-feasibility studies including in-depth techno commercial analysis. After a careful study of the processes and their power requirement we suggested replacement of boiler with several added merits. The proposed solution is a briquette fired boiler which will use agro based carbon neutral briquette. The project is now under final stages of completion and the steam generation as per the required design input shall commence within next fortnight.”
Synefra stated that the biggest advantage is the reduction in operating cost. The savings are so phenomenal that the entire investment of new boiler house with pollution control system will be paid back in less than 12 months depending on the number of hours of operation and load factor.
Generally the efficiency of a solid fuel fired boiler is lower than that of oil or gas fired boiler. But in the case of briquettes the low ash contents and mechanized firing coupled with heat recovery system will give good efficiency. The main advantage is in the cost of operation. In spite of lower efficiency the payback works out less than 6 months if the boiler is fully loaded. For partial load in Serum Institute at the moment it is estimated to be 8-10 months and in the future as the load improves, it will get even better.
Sanjeev Nakhasi, VP (Operations), Synefra, said, “We have experience of doing business in all sectors with turnkey solutions; however we are currently also offering niche engineering services to the industrial sector in order to share our expertise towards energy, water and waste management.”
Synefra commenced work on the Serum Project in January 2011 and delivered the required results in 6-7 months. The company is bidding for such brown field re-development projects with focus on improving efficiency and operating costs thereby propose re-construction of some key industrial and business centres. The project completed in August 2011.
Besides this project, the company has also received proposals from other industries to asses their energy consumption patterns and propose alternate efficient solutions. The company said it would assess and take such projects with innovation and sustainability approach.
