PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Thursday got first zig zag technology led brick kiln after conversion of a conventional black smoke emitting chimney to a latest and cleaner technology with the objective of combating air pollution and reducing carbon emission. “The first zig zag technology led brick kiln was inaugurated Thursday by Provincial Minister for Environment Istiaq Urmar at Urmar Mehra area in the suburbs of Peshawar,” informed Director General Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Muhammad Amjad. Talking to media, Dr. Amjad apprised that conversion of traditional Fixed Chimney Bulls Trench Kiln (FCBTK) has been started to a new and environmentally friendly zig zag technology as a result of which air pollution could be contained. The conventional brick kiln has old design therefore for reducing the air pollution zig zag technology has been introduced which is not only environment friendly but also much profitable, DG EPA told media. He said initially two brick kilns were selected through a lucky draw for conversion on latest technology on basis of public private partnership. One is in Peshawar and the second one is in Mardan district which will be inaugurated in a couple of days. Dr. Amjad said conversion of one units costs in millions and expenditure of the selected two units is bore as a pilot project on public private partnership between EPA and the owners. Explaining benefits of zig zag technology, DG EPA said the latest technology helps in reducing emission of carbon by 60 percent and temperature of coal feeding surface area by 50-80 degree centigrade against traditional kiln with temperature exceeds upto 150 degree centigrade. In older technology, the smoke passes through 24 lines causing more air pollution compare to ZigZag technology, which passes through 5-6 lines, resultantly carbon emissions stick to red bricks due to which pollutants emitting from its chimney are considerably reduced and coal consumption to be slashed by 40percent, he added.
