Gas consumption
Mr. Mridha's column on the subject published by you on 22 April regrets the lack of response by industrialists on gas consumption reduction. On this subject the letter by Titas Gas asking industrial users for a six hour stoppage of gas use daily does not sound logical. It can only result in increasing specific gas usage per unit of output!
It is against any rational norm for a production process, which is geared to maximising output per unit of input-- be it raw materials or energy! As an example, shutting down re-heating furnace gas burner in a rolling mill for even an hour will shoot up the specific fuel consumption per tonne of rods rolled. The similar logic is applicable for all production related activity!
Pragmatically speaking, the very idea is a non-starter to begin with; and will most probably be ignored! A better and realistic way would be to keep such units running continuously for twelve days, and shut down totally for two days, without paying any overtime. This will improve specific fuel consumption, and reduce gas usage per unit of output, benefiting both
Titas Gas and the production unit! As a special case to save gas in national interest, the labour directorate may allow continuous working of eight hours daily up to a maximum of ninety-six hours in a fortnight, followed by forty-eight hours off. This will be gladly accepted both by the management and workers. I have practised this method of work schedule while running private sector process plants; with no complaints from workers' union; without even informing the labour directorate. Both the union and the management were happy, while variable costs decreased!
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