ToI reported that a team of experts from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has developed a steel making model which helps reduce energy consumption.

After conducting the research on various aspects of steel making, the team has concluded that if companies use tablet pellets in their furnace, they can effectively bring down energy consumption.

A member of the IIT team from Kharagpur, Mr Manish Kumar Sharma shared the findings during a three day international conference on Energy Efficiency in Steel Industry (EESI-2011) that was inaugurated at the Ispat Bhawan by SAIL chief director personnel and technical Mr BB Singh.

Mr Sharma said that "After conducting a series of tests, we have arrived at a conclusion that tablet pellets are the best and activation energy is 1,000 degree Celsius against 1,200 to 1,300 degree Celsius in case of other forms of pellets.” The tablet pellets are better than sphere or cylinder pellets.

He added that "We have successfully completed the prototype tests in a rotary hearth furnace. In the next phase, tests will be done on a large scale to check commercial viability.”

At present the iron and steel industry accounts for around 15% energy consumption in India. Energy accounts for around 35% to 40% of the cost of production in Indian steel industry.

(Sourced from TOI)