Two recent scientific innovations by the researchers of Jharkhand are expected to boost activities of two prominent core sectors — coal and steel.

While Ranchi-based Central Mines Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) of Coal India Limited developed a software that will help improve exploration of coal reserves, those working at Research and Development Centre for Iron and Steel (RDCIS) of Steel Authority of India Limited developed a special-grade galvanised steel sheet that will be used for making robust and durable silos for storing food grains.

“Exploration of prospective coal reserves is now done by two-dimensional seismic survey, using seismograph but this technique often misses out underground coal seams if those are too thin,” said CMPDI general manager Sanjay Kumar Dubey.

He said the new software would help overcome the limitations.

Asked about the utility of the new software, Dubey said: “Spectral Enhancement, as the newly developed software has been named, when fitted to a seismograph, will help identify thin coal seams, those with thickness of even about 3 or 4 feet, that was not possible earlier.”

The new software will enhance resolution of seismic signals leading to delineation of the thinnest seam in the vicinity, he explained, adding that they had collaborated with the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute on the project.

“This will save both time and cost of exploration,” Dubey further said, adding that the CMPDI would soon apply for copyright protection of the software developed by them.

A team of RDCIS, on the other hand, worked with another team of the Bokaro Steel Plant (BSP) to develop a special-grade galvanised sheet that can be used for making large, strong and durable silos for storing food grains.

“This special sheet is actually an import substitute as those who make such silos on our country at present have to import that from other countries,” said N. Mandal, head of the RDCIS team at the Bokaro Steel Plant, adding that these special grade galvanised steel sheets help arrest wastage of grains by precluding weathering effects.

A unique chemical composition is used for making these sheets that have both higher strength and higher zinc coating than normal sheets, he said, explaining the speciality of the newly developed steel sheets.

“The BSP has already produced the sheets and prospective buyers have also started visiting Bokaro to have a look at those,” Mandal said.