Kirloskar to launch noise-free 'green' gen sets in January '05

Pune-based Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited is all set to launch its new class of noise-free and pollution-free power generator sets in January 2005.

Speaking to Business Standard, Kirloskar area marketing manager T Venkataramana said that the Central Pollution Control Board has fixed certain norms in July 2004 regarding permitted pollution levels, and all the diesel engines manufactured after July 2004 should comply with the fixed norms.

"The Naval Science Laboratory at Visakhapatnam tests the pollution levels and certifies the emission levels of the engines. The diesel motors of Kirloskar used to register pollutant emissions up to the level of 20 per cent. It was now brought down to a mere 5 per cent. All the engines manufactured by the company were upgraded technologically to reduce the pollution levels," he said.

The upgraded Kirloskar engines are named as 'Kirloskar Greens'. The company, he said, contributed to the clear-sky policy of the government.

"As per the government stipulation, the company is introducing into the market noise-free generator sets to reduce even noise pollution from January 2005. The new generator sets are technically upgraded to absorb the noise generated by the generators by the installation of sound absorbers. The new pollution-free and noise-free gen sets are fuel efficient with a warranty period of two years apart from being maintenance-free," Venkataramana said.

The Rs 1,100-crore company manufactures a wide range of diesel engines with capacities ranging from 3hp to 723 hp and from 2,400 hp to 7,200 hp. The company manufactures 1.60 lakh engines a year at its manufacturing plants in Pune and Phursungi in Maharashtra.

Kirloskar diesel engines are used as prime movers in different applications such as diesel generator set, earth moving, tractors, industrial pump set, fire-fighting pump sets, cold storages and in rice mills. The company's clientele include Escorts, L&T Punjab Tractors, Greaves limited and BEML.