CSIR develops environment-friendly firecrackers

Team L&M

With the Festival of Lights just a week away, the scientists at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have developed less polluting firecrackers which are not only environment-friendly but 15-20% cheaper than the conventional ones.

Named Safe Water Releaser (SWAS), Safe Minimal Aluminium (SAFAL) and Safe Thermite Cracker (STAR), these were introduced by Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forest & Climate Change Dr Harsh Vardhan in New Delhi.
Highlighting that the Indian fireworks industry is over Rs 6,000 crore worth of annual turnover and provides employment opportunities to over five lakh families directly or indirectly, the Minister said this CSIR endeavour aims at addressing the pollution concerns at the same time protecting the livelihoods of those involved in this trade.

The Minister mentioned that firecracker manufactures took keen interest with laboratories throughout the process and the new crackers would not require changes in their manufacturing facilities.

Dr Harsh Varshan also listed a number of steps to make further improvements in the fire crackers. “For the first time in India, an emission testing facility has been established at CSIR-NEERI and extensive testing is in progress for conventional and green crackers for monitoring the emissions and sound,” he said. This facility uses all sophisticated instruments for measurement and sampling when firecrackers are used.

The Minister also informed that a raw material characterisation facility is coming up as it has been found that many times the poor quality raw materials used in fire crackers are the major sources of particulate matter pollution. CSIR would be detailing further strengthening by installation of additional facilities for raw materials testing at Sivakasi. This activity is likely to be initiated for testing in next two months after completion of certain formalities. This facility can come up in collaboration and partnership with Manufacturers’ association testing facilities.

Taking a comprehensive view of the firecracker sector, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that in tune with its scientific social responsibility, CSIR has been working on long term and futuristic goals which would lead to clean and safe Diwali.

SWAS crackers eliminates usage of Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) and sulphur with consequent reduction in particulate matter (30-35%) SO2 and NOx. It has matching sound intensity with commercial crackers in the range of 105-110 dBA.

SWAS has been tested for shelf life up to three weeks with consistent performance. STAR eliminates usage of KNO3 and S with consequent reduction in particulate matter (35-40%), SO2 and NOx. It has matching sound intensity with commercial crackers in the range of 105-110 dBA.

SAFAL has minimal usage of aluminium (only in flash powder for initiation)with consequent significant reduction in particulate matter (35-40 %) compared to commercial crackers. It has matching sound intensity with commercial crackers in the range of 110-115 dBA.
PESO has been approached to analyse and test SWAS/ STAR/ SAFAL from point of view of safety, stability and other related issues.
Also functional prototypes of flower pots for substitution of BaNO3 (barium nitrate) by low cost eco-friendly materials have been developed with significant reduction in particulate matter (30-35%).

These functional prototypes have been successfully demonstrated in Sivakasi to leading manufacturers.

E-CRACKERS
CSIR-CEERI, being an electronics laboratory, is developing safe and pollution-free technology of electronic crackers (e-crackers) to meet latent social aspiration of enjoying fireworks. It includes various products like E-Ladi, E-Anar, system for E-cracker show etc. At present, CSIR-CEERI is ready with the laboratory level prototype of E-Ladi.

E-Ladi is based on high-voltage electrostatic discharge to generate light/ sound effect. It is triggered by providing heat to the thermal switch which will give the excitement of firing the conventional cracker. The E-Ladi is also programmable to give various light/sound effect. The team from CSIR-CEERI Pilani has developed functional prototype of E-Ladi, demonstration is also planned in next two months.

Figure below shows the lab level implementation of this concept on a decorative piece.

High voltage generator is capable of producing very high voltage using the concept of tesla coil. These pods are connected in parallel to achieve desired light/ sound pattern. The controller block consists of a pulse generator and a solid state device based circuit to control the switching of these pods. The second version of this prototype will include compact form factor and thermal actuation arrangement.

Post combustion control system and devices
CSIR-NEERI has also planned to use area source control through development of new systems called PURE-WAYU as also photo chip material for local dust control. The system is being tested currently.

CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi has developed reduced emission crackers through the replacement of commonly used Aluminium with Magnesium and Magnesium based compounds in flash powder.

CSIR-CECRI team, along with Krishna Fireworks, Sivakasi, developed modified chemical formulations for flower pots, Jil Jil and atom bomb since these are in high demand in the market and form a major share of the industrial profit.

Flower pot essentially comprises alkali nitrates, aluminium powders of different grain sizes and in some cases the binder to enhance luminescence. Aluminium has been used as a primary heat source and to produce flash. In order to reduce the ignition temperature and subsequently to minimise the particulate matter, Magnesium could be a viable alternative to aluminium.

During the field trails at Sivakasi, many different compositions were tested for developing modified chemical formulations of flower pot. Alternate chemical formulations for flower pots were prepared by replacing Aluminium with magnesium chips and magnesium-based compounds. Further, these modified chemical formulations were tested and their characteristics in terms of colour, smoke, height of the lighting, brightness and ability to burst etc were noted and analysed.

These products showed promising results in terms of reduced emission of particulate matter (PM) level, toxic gases, less smoke and less noise. The team from CSIR-CECRI has developed flower pots by using eco-friendly materials with consequent implications on particulate matter (PM) reduction by 25-30%.

CSIR-NEERI is testing the efficacy of Bijli cracker by eliminating the use of ash as desiccants for reduction in particulate matter by 20%.
Potential sound emitting functional prototypes have been developed by team at CSIR NEERI based on the novel concept of exploiting exothermic heat of materials for bursting of crackers with consequent reduction in particulate matter (30-35%), no emission of SO2 and low cost due to avoidance of usage of conventional oxidants.