Bharat

Stage Emission
Standards VI

Are Indian refinery system ready to

cope with the demand of BS-VI Fuel

Ujjwal
 Air Pollution Scenario & its Effects
The main cause of this exponential increase in the pollution levels is the fuel-thirsty vehicles. Automobiles are the primary source
of air pollution in India’s major cities. In India, transportation sector emits an estimated 261 tonnes of CO2, of which 94.5% is
contributed by road transport. The transport sector in India consumes about 17% of total energy and responsible for a 60%
production of the greenhouse gases from various activities.

Bharat stage emission standards (BSES) are emission standards instituted by the Government of India to regulate the output
of air pollutants from internal combustion engines and Spark-ignition engines equipment, including motor vehicles. The
standards, based on European regulations were first introduced in 2000. Progressively stringent norms have been rolled out since
then. While the norms help in bringing down pollution levels, it invariably results in increased vehicle cost due to the improved
technology & higher fuel prices

Pollution Effects Gases released during Combustions Health Effects Due to Pollution
Pollutant gases react
with the water
Acid rain corrodes the
vapour present in the
marble monuments
atmosphere to
like Taj Mahal. This The PM2.5 The effect of Respiratory
form sulphuric
phenomenon is called
acid and nitric acid.
as Marble cancer. (Particulate air pollution and lung
The acids drop down matter of 2.5 involves a lot
with rain, making the Asthma attacks
rain acidic. This is micrometres) of illnesses
called acid rain. and PM10 from irritation Reduced lung
(Particulate of eyes, nose, function
The combustion of Presence of high  There are also fine particulate matter matter if 10 mouth and Pulmonary
fossil fuels also levels of all these that are emitted out of car exhausts. micrometre) throat or
increases the number pollutants causes cancer –
of suspended visibility to be
These Particulate Matters (PM) remain has been diminished caused by a
particles in the air. lowered, especially in directly suspended in air at low proved to energy levels, series of
These suspended cold weather when altitudes and affect human health
directly. Vehicles are estimated to
cause headache and carcinogen
particles could be water also condenses
unburnt carbon out of the air. This is account for 70% of CO, 50% of HC, 30- respiratory and dizziness to chemicals that
particles or known as smog and is 40% of NOx, 30% of SPM and 10% of SO2 cardiovascular potentially enter the body
substances called a visible indication of of the total pollution load of these diseases. more serious through
hydrocarbons. air pollution cities, of which two-third is conditions like: inhalation
contributed by two-wheelers alone.
 Need for Bharat Stage Emission
 BSES focus on the reduction of emissions mainly, Co2 and the improvement of fuels to increase efficiency.
 Emissions generated from vehicles are measured in terms of C02/ltr or Co2/gallons.
 This indicates how many grams of Co2 is generated for every litre of fossil fuel burned by vehicles.
 To understand the emission norms and restrictions its important to understand how vehicles burn fuel and what
are the products obtained out of this reaction.

➢ This is an octane ring of hydrocarbons ( Fossil Fuel). When this fuel is burnt , energy is produced along
with substances such as Co2, Co, No2, and unburnt compounds.
➢ Majority result of this reaction is C02 however.
➢ The following equations describe how much Co2 is produced per Litre of petrol.
➢ This is the number used by emission standards to classify vehicles.

1 gallon = 5.624 lbs =2.55kg

For every 5.6 lbs of fuel burnt 17.4 lbs of Co2 is produced.
1 gallon of fuel produces = 17.4 lbs of Co2 is produced
1 litre of fuel produces = 2.08 kgs of Co2
 Bharat Stage VI
Bharat Stage VI (BS VI) will bring much-needed changes in the Indian automobile industry in terms of
pollutant emissions.

With this emission norm coming into effect, India will come at par with the US, European countries
and other advanced automotive markets across the globe.

The Supreme Court has announced that the Indian automotive industry will transit from the Bharat
Stage (BS)-IV emission norms to the BS-VI emission norms on April 1, 2020. From this date onwards,
only BS-VI compliant vehicles will be sold in the country.

 The extent of sulphur is the major difference between Bharat Stage IV and Bharat Stage VI norms. BS-IV fuels contain
50 parts per million (ppm) sulphur, the BS-VI grade fuel only has 10 ppm sulphur .
 NOx emission will come down by approximately 25% for the petrol engine and 68% for the diesel engines.
 The PM emission will see a substantial decrease of 80% in diesel engines.
 OBD (On Board Diagnostic) will become mandatory for every vehicle and it will help monitor the pollution caused by
the vehicle in real time. RDE (Real Driving Emission) will be introduced for the first time that will measure the
emission in real-world conditions and not just under test conditions.
 Bharat Stage VI norms will also change the way particulate matter is measured. It will now be measured by number
standard instead of mass standard thereby, regulating the fine particulate matter as well.
 The reason behind making OBD mandatory is to make sure that the emission control component work at its optimum
efficiency at all times. OBD port will help to detect the malfunction with the help of the error codes sent by the
malfunctioning component.
 Refinery Preparedness Towards BS-VI
 In order to keep up with demand for BS-VI fuel, Indian refineries have evaluated the technical changes which are required at
their plant depending upon the crude mix and refining complexity ability.

 New units of HGU (Hydrogen Generation Unit), Diesel Hydrodesulfurization(DHDS), revamping FCC Gasoline desulfurizer and
revamp of existing processes, offsite and utility facilities are some of the major modification required in refineries.

 A total of $2.5 Billion (17,000 Cr.) has been invested for transition/upgradation of refineries.

 BS- VI also implemented newer fuel specifications ,mainly with lower sulphur content. This required oil producer to increase
their refining process, clear the sulphur contain in their storage tanks, pipes & transportation medium.

 A switch to upgraded fuel would make diesel US $1.6-2 per barrel (Rs 0.7-0.9 paise a liter) more expensive, while gasoline will be
US $2.7–3.4 per barrel (Rs 1.2-1.5 a liter) costlier, which will help refiners recover investment costs in upgrading its refineries to
produce the cleaner fuel. However, the final decision on a price increase will be subjected to the government’s approval as a
clean fuel.
Fuel Requirement for BS-VI
 Upgradation at Some Refineries

Source: https://stratasadvisors.com/Insights/2020/01022020-Downstream-India-Refinery-Prep-Fuels-IV

• With these upgradation refines are ramping up production gradually keeping in mind to clear the inventory stock of BS-IV fuel. Indian
refineries are up to task of delivery the desired fuel and trying to keep up with norms.
• Indian Oil has achieved the conversion from BS IV to BS VI fuels at 80 percent of its 121 bulk storage terminals across India.
• Mathura Refinery has successfully completed the project jobs and has successfully commissioned the revamped facilities in January, 2020.
• Bina, Mumbai, Mangalore refineries have also been successfully upgraded in January 2020.

Source:https://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/indian-oil-set-to-replace-80-storage-terminals-with-bs-vi-fuel-by-january-31-55375
 Vehicle Manufactures Preparedness Towards BS-VI
 In the reach reduced Co2/pollutants level reduction, advance fuel quality (BS-VI) will have a marginal impact
on emissions until & unless the launch of the complimentary BS VI compliant automobile engines are made.

Technology Challenges in Shifting from BS IV to BS VI

 To keep both PM and NOx level under check, the
OEMs would require diverse technologies to work
in tandem. A Diesel particulate filter (DPF) will be
fitted in the automobile to expel particulate
matters from the exhaust gas.
 Similarly, for NOx reduction, selective catalytic
reduction (SCR) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
will be used. In a nutshell, the engine will now a have
a purification plant built into them.
Technology Challenges in Shifting from BS IV to BS VI
 These components and standards will have to be calibrated, tested and validated.
 The process will be akin to an extensive R&D and will require revamping the automotive product development
processes.
 The cost involved in such a transition is estimated to be huge and some of this cost may have to be passed on to the
end-users.
 The increase in weight resulting from the inclusion of these devices has also to be kept at its minimum in order not
to affect the fuel-efficiency of the engine which is one of the major deciding factors for the car buyers.
 Automotive OEMs, suppliers and automotive embedded software and hardware providers will have to work together
to develop and update electronic unit for continuous monitoring of the engine’s increased complexity as well as
real-time emission.

Effect of Emission Standards

 By adopting & making
small changes (BS-VI
Fuel+ BS-VI Vehicle) we
can slowly kick start our
journey to reach 113g/km
Co2 emission target by
2022.

Source:https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/EU-LCV-CO2-2030_ICCTupdate_201901.pdf