MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS
Q1. Discuss the possible advantages and difficulties of India’s methanol-based economy. What are the most important elements to take into account in order to successfully develop a methanol economy in order to meet the nation’s energy and environmental concerns?
GS III – Environmental Conservation
Introduction:
- Recently, NITI Ayog produced a thorough plan supporting the use of methanol as the preferred cooking fuel in both residential and commercial settings. Produced from high ash coal, natural gas, CO2 from thermal power plants, and agricultural leftovers, methanol is a low carbon hydrogen carrier fuel. In order to decrease pollutants and enhance combustion, it is frequently combined with petrol.
Advantages of an Economy Based on Methanol:
- Reduced Production Costs: Methanol is an economically viable option for a variety of applications since it can be generated at a lower cost than other alternative fuels.
- Environmental Benefits: Methanol can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants when it is produced using green hydrogen and carbon capture technology.
- Methanol handling and transportation: At room temperature and pressure, methanol handling and transportation are not too difficult. In certain applications, methanol’s reduced flammability risk when compared to petrol enhances safety.
- High Octane and Horsepower: Methanol may provide octane ratings as high as those of very high-octane petrol, and it can also provide horsepower in the same amount. Because of this, it can be a good choice for powerful engines.
- Versatile Use: It may also be used to feed reform fuel utilising engine waste heat, shipbuilding, aviation, and the production of industrial energy.
Prior to India’s ambitious methanol economy, there were obstacles:
- Absence of Natural Gas Resources at Home: India is primarily dependent on imports to meet its natural gas needs due to its small reserves.
- Low Grade Biomass and High Ash Coal: India has a large amount of coal reserves, but the majority of them are high ash coal, which produces more emissions and needs more processing.
- Absence of Policy Support and Infrastructure: India lacks the infrastructure required for the manufacture, distribution, storage, and use of methanol.
- Absence of Acceptance and Awareness:. The general public and stakeholders do not fully understand or appreciate the advantages and difficulties associated with the methanol economy.
Crucial Elements of a Successful Implementation:
- Creating New Catalysts and Processes: The goal of research and development should be to increase the yield of methanol from a variety of feedstocks while maintaining the same level of efficiency.
- Encouraging Methanol for Use as Marine Fuel: Work with the maritime sector to create policies and specifications for the use of methanol.
- Introducing Methanol-Based Fuel Cells: To put this idea into practice, infrastructural and fuel cell technology investments are essential.
- Promote the benefits of methanol-powered vehicles, such as lower greenhouse gas emissions and better air quality, in order to encourage the usage of these vehicles.
- Increasing Infrastructure and Distribution Network: Make investments in a thorough distribution network that includes enough facilities for storage and dispensing.
- Increasing Public Awareness and Offering Incentives: Start public education efforts to tell people about the advantages of methanol-based appliances and fuels.
Way Forward:
- Technology development, pro-methanol government policies, and public awareness are all necessary for the effective adoption of a methanol-based economy in India.
Q2. Describe the causes and traits of winter smog in the Indian context. Which mitigation and control measures would you suggest for wintertime smog in Indian cities?
GS III – Environmental Conservation
Introduction:
- A seasonal phenomena of air pollution known as “winter smog” is caused by an accumulation of pollutants in the lower atmosphere that creates a dangerous fog in the wintertime. A research conducted in 2019 by the Indian Council of Medical Research found that 1.67 million deaths in India were caused by severe air pollution, such as smog.
It is mostly composed of the following elements:
- Weather: Temperature inversions, or pockets of warm air trapping cooler air close to the ground, are a result of wintertime climatic circumstances. This hinders the dispersion of contaminants, which would otherwise cause smog to build up.
- Pollution Sources: Burning solid fuels for cooking and heating, construction, industrial pollutants, and automobile emissions are the main causes of wintertime smog. Pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), NOx, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are released into the atmosphere as a result of these emissions.
- Burning of crop leftovers: During the post-harvest season, agricultural regions bordering metropolitan areas sometimes burn crop residues (known as stump burning in the NCR region), which further exacerbates the smog problem.
- Reduced Visibility: Winter pollution makes it harder to see, which makes driving dangerous and increases the risk of accidents.
- Issues with Respiratory Health: It presents serious health hazards, especially for people who already have respiratory disorders. Infections related to respiratory systems can be brought on by the fine particulate matter’s deep lung penetration.
Techniques for Indian Metropolitan Areas to Reduce and Manage Winter Smog:
- Promote the Use of Public Transportation: One practical strategy to lessen traffic jams and promote the use of carpooling or public transportation is to impose a congestion charge on private automobiles operating during rush hours.
- Drones for Pollution Control: One proactive way to manage air quality is to utilise drones to locate and disperse pollution hotspots.
- Industrial Emissions Cap and Trade: This policy limits industrial emissions and encourages a market-based strategy for pollution reduction.
- Vertical Gardens: Adding vertical gardens to urban areas is both visually beautiful and good for the environment.
- Crop Residue Management: Promote and put into practice environmentally friendly substitutes for burning crop residue.
- Air Quality Monitoring: Upgrade your systems to gather data in real-time, which will help you make better decisions and put control measures into action on time.
- Rewarding Low-Carbon Lifestyles: People are more likely to make environmentally friendly decisions and lower their carbon footprint when they are offered incentives such as points, coupons, or tax breaks for engaging in eco-friendly activities like carpooling or public transportation.
