Which one among the following industries is
the maximum consumer of water in India?
Thermal power
Understanding Industrial Water Consumption in India
The question asks us to identify which among the given industries consumes the maximum amount of water in India. Understanding water usage by different sectors is crucial for water resource management and environmental sustainability.
Analysis of Given Industries and Water Use
Let's look at the options provided and consider their typical water consumption:
- Engineers: This term is too broad to represent a specific industry with quantifiable water consumption for comparison. Engineering as a profession or sector doesn't directly consume large volumes of water in the way manufacturing or power generation does.
- Paper and pulp: The paper and pulp industry is known to be water-intensive, using water in various processes like pulping, bleaching, and cleaning.
- Textiles: The textile industry also consumes significant amounts of water for dyeing, printing, and finishing processes.
- Thermal power: Thermal power plants generate electricity by heating water to produce steam, which drives turbines. The most significant water usage in thermal power plants is for cooling systems to condense the steam back into water. These cooling systems often require vast quantities of water, either through 'once-through' systems or cooling towers, making them major water consumers.
Why Thermal Power is a Major Water Consumer
Thermal power plants, especially those using coal or natural gas, are extremely reliant on water. The primary reasons for their high water consumption are:
- Cooling: This is the largest water consumer in thermal power plants. Heat generated during electricity production needs to be dissipated, typically by circulating large volumes of water through condensers.
- Steam Generation: Water is heated to create steam to turn turbines. Although much of this water is recycled, some is lost through evaporation or blowdown.
- Other uses: Water is also used for ash handling, pollution control (like flue gas desulfurization), and general plant maintenance.
Globally and in India, the thermal power sector is consistently identified as one of the largest industrial users of water due to the scale of cooling required for electricity generation.
Comparison and Conclusion
While industries like paper and pulp and textiles do consume substantial amounts of water, the volume of water required for cooling in thermal power generation far exceeds their needs. Therefore, among the options provided, the thermal power industry is the maximum consumer of water in India.
Revision Table: Key Industrial Water Consumers (General)
| Industry Sector | Primary Water Uses | Water Consumption Level (Relative) |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal Power | Cooling, Steam Generation | Very High |
| Paper and Pulp | Pulping, Bleaching, Cleaning | High |
| Textiles | Dyeing, Printing, Finishing | High |
| Agriculture | Irrigation | Highest (Overall Sector) |
| Domestic | Drinking, Sanitation, Household | Moderate to High |
Note: This table gives a general idea. Agriculture is the largest water user overall, but the question specifically asks about industries among the given options.
Additional Information: Water Management in Industries
Given the high demand for water in industries like thermal power, water conservation and efficient management are critical. Measures include:
- Implementing closed-loop cooling systems (using cooling towers) which reduce water consumption compared to once-through systems.
- Using treated wastewater for industrial processes.
- Improving process efficiency to reduce water intensity per unit of production.
- Adopting technologies like air-cooled condensers where feasible, though they can impact efficiency.
Sustainable water use in industry is essential for meeting the growing demand for electricity and manufactured goods without depleting scarce water resources.
Important Questions from Industrial Sector
With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements :
1. All casual workers are entitled to Employees Provident Fund coverage.
2. All casual workers are entitled to regular working hours and overtime payment.
3. The government can by a Notification specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account.
Which of the above statements are correct?
With reference to ‘WaterCredit’, consider the following statements :
1. It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and Sanitation sector.
2. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
3. It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Recently, India's first 'National Investment and Manufacturing Zone' was proposed to be set up in
With reference to the usefulness of the byproducts of sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy.
2. Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers.
3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Which of the following statement is correct?
I. The portion of agriculture products that are sold in the market by the farmers is called 'Marketed surplus'.
II. In accordance with the goal of the state controlling the commanding heights of the economy, the Industrial policy resolution of 1956 was adopted.
