9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe highly polluted air, and more than 80 percent of urban dwellers are exposed to outdoor pollution that exceeds health standards. Air pollution, particularly in the form of particulate matter (PM), is a serious challenge in India where 14 of world’s 15 most polluted cities are located. PM emissions are generated by various anthropogenic activities, and burning of fossil fuels is the major source. Of the total diesel burned in the world, 30% is from non-transport activities. Diesel Generators (DGs) are widely used for supplying round the clock power, or as back up for large residential, commercial as well as industrial sectors. A significant part of the PM or soot emitted from the DG sets is in the form of Black Carbon, which is a climate forcing agent having a net warming effect.

Chakr Shield – the technology developed by Chakr Innovation Private Limited is a retrofit solution that captures PM and helps combat air pollution. The device is installed over the exhaust pipe of the DG that captures the exhaust and cools it to cause agglomeration of the soot particles. These soot particles, which primarily consist of PM are then made to pass through contours and meshes and captured with up to 90% efficiency. The collected PM is used as a raw material for making inks. Chakr Shield is available for use in a wide variety of DG capacities ranging from 20 kVA- 3000 kVA. Chakr Shield consists of non-moving parts, and therefore is a low maintenance device which is made of corrosion free material for better performance.