India uses jet engines to cope with pollution

India will arrange jet engines of old aircraft near the power plant chimneys to blow up emissions, reduce pollution for the capital.

Jet engines of old aircraft located near the chimneys of the thermal power plant in the Indian capital of New Delhi can blow out air with speeds of up to 1,440 km / h, equivalent to the speed of sound. , pushing emissions higher, avoiding meteorological "reverse temperature" occurrence, according to the BBC.

This is the case when the air layer near the ground cools and is kept by the hot air above it. If the underlying air layer is contaminated, the hot air layer acts as a "lid" that hinders the diffusion of dust and smoke.

According to calculations, a jet engine could blow away the emissions of a 1000 megawatt power plant. Scientists from Canada and Singapore who implemented this idea believe it will work.

Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world.(Photo: Reuters).

"This idea could lead to a new technology to reduce pollution around the world," said lead researcher Moshe Alamaro, aerospace engineer and atmospheric scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. said.

Delhi is the ideal place for this experiment. The city is always submerged in a thick fog caused by burning fireworks, burning garbage and agricultural waste along with vehicle emissions, dust from construction works and especially from coal-fired power plants.

In winter, the situation is more serious. In November 2016, the schools in the capital had to be closed, the construction works stopped, people had to wear masks when going out and were asked to work from home.

India plans to clean up the air after the PM 2.5 fine dust index, which can damage the lungs, measured 90 times higher than the World Health Organization's safety level and 15 times the main level. Coverage allowed.

Jet engines are piloted in coal-fired thermal power plants because thermal power accounts for more than 60% of India's electricity output. Pollution from thermal power plants causes about 100,000 Indians to die early and millions of asthma cases and other respiratory diseases each year. Emissions from a 1,000-megawatt thermal power plant are equivalent to emissions of 500,000 cars.

Illustration of jet exhaust set on mobile cars near power plants.(Photo: Alamaro).

This plan still has some disadvantages such as the risk of noise pollution from jet engines. In January 2017, Dr. Alamaro will work with some of India's leading scientists and collaborators from Indian government agencies, discussing experimental plans to address this issue. They will use the old jet engine of the Indian and American air force to carry out the pilot.

Researchers say the concern about jet emissions from air pollution is unfounded, since the emissions are "much cleaner than power plants on the same energy unit". .

Dr. Alamaro is very optimistic about the feasibility of the project. He said that in addition to the power plant, the jet exhaust can also be located near the highway to reduce pollution from vehicle emissions.