Energy & Environment Lab Capturing Diesel Emissions

Small particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions have a greater negative impact on human health in Delhi than almost anywhere else in the world, reducing life expectancy by more than ten years. In Delhi, a key source of this pollution is emissions from diesel engines on vehicles and generators.  

New technology developed by Chakr Innovation Pvt. Ltd. (a winner of Delhi Innovation Challenge) could absorb PM2.5 emissions when placed on exhaust pipes and convert this captured particulate matter into black ink and paints. The Energy & Environment Lab will work with Chakr to test the effectiveness of this technology in a new pilot, assessing if it is a cost-effective way of reducing PM2.5 pollution from diesel engines. The project will pilot the technology on diesel generators used as power back-ups for mobile telephone towers and small commercial properties in Delhi NCR. 

This project was one of the winning ideas in the Delhi Innovation Challenge, a joint initiative of the Tata Centre for Development at the University of Chicago and the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi.