Multi-Line Capacity Worked Examples
Two worked examples of the CPCB multi-line capacity formula for e-waste recycling plants — one with all-independent lines and one mixing independent and dependent lines — showing how only the independent line throughputs are summed to reach the SPCB authorised capacity.
| Example | Configuration | Daily Capacity | Annual Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Example 1 — Three Independent Lines | E1 = 100 TPD (20-hr), E2 = 15 TPD (8-hr), E3 = 30 TPD (16-hr) | 100 + 15 + 30 = 145 TPD | 145 × 330 = 47,850 TPA |
| Example 2 — Mixed (3 independent + 2 dependent) | E1=80 TPD (indep, 20-hr), E2=12 TPD (dep, NOT counted), E3=38 TPD (indep, 8-hr), E4=10 TPD (dep, NOT counted), E5=45 TPD (indep, 16-hr) | Only independent: 80 + 38 + 45 = 163 TPD | 163 × 330 = 53,790 TPA |
Beyond definitions
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How to read this table
- Each row is one example; columns show the configuration, how daily capacity is calculated, and the resulting annual authorised capacity.
- In Example 2, E2 and E4 throughputs are explicitly excluded — only the three independent lines (E1, E3, E5) contribute to the daily sum.
- The 330-day operating year limit is a CPCB standard parameter — confirmed for both examples.
About this table
Multi-line e-waste recycling plants must apply the multi-line capacity formula to determine their SPCB authorised Tonnes Per Annum. The formula is: Total Annual Capacity = Sum of Independent Line TPDs × 330 operating days per year. Dependent lines are excluded from the sum. This table provides two worked examples that make the principle concrete — one clean example with all-independent lines, and one mixed example showing how dependent lines are excluded.
Example 1 demonstrates the all-independent case: three independent processing lines (E1, E2, E3) with individual throughputs of 100 TPD, 15 TPD, and 30 TPD respectively. All three are independent — each produces a saleable final output on its own. Total daily capacity is 100 + 15 + 30 = 145 TPD. Multiplied by 330 operating days: 47,850 TPA is the declared authorised capacity. Each line may run at different hours per day (E1 at 20 hours, E2 at 8 hours, E3 at 16 hours) — the TPD figures already incorporate the operating hours for each line.
Example 2 introduces the mixed scenario: five lines where E1 (80 TPD), E3 (38 TPD), and E5 (45 TPD) are independent, and E2 (12 TPD) and E4 (10 TPD) are dependent — they feed other lines and produce no saleable output on their own. Only the three independent lines count: 80 + 38 + 45 = 163 TPD × 330 days = 53,790 TPA. E2 and E4 are excluded from the sum regardless of their throughput. A plant operator who included E2 and E4 would declare 185 TPD × 330 = 61,050 TPA — overstating authorised capacity by more than 13% and creating a compliance exposure.
Key insights
- Multi-line annual capacity is the sum of independent line TPDs × 330, not the sum of all line TPDs — erroneously including dependent lines overstates the authorised capacity and creates a regulatory exposure.
- Example 2 shows that 5 total lines produce only 163 TPD of authorised capacity, not 185 TPD — the 22 TPD difference (E2 + E4) represents dependent processing capacity that does not count toward the CTO declaration.
- Different lines can run at different hours per day — the TPD figure for each line already incorporates that line's operating hours, so the sum of TPDs directly gives total daily plant capacity without further adjustment.
- Declaring authorised capacity accurately at the CTO stage avoids the most common compliance trap in multi-line e-waste plants — SPCB inspectors verify that actual production does not exceed the declared independent-line capacity.
Methodology & sources
Worked example values and the multi-line formula are based on CPCB capacity calculation guidelines as referenced in course materials. Operating days (330/year) and maximum operating hours per line are CPCB standard parameters for e-waste plants. Confirm the accepted formula and parameters with your specific SPCB before filing the CTO application, as state-level interpretation may vary.
Related data tables
Capacity Ranges by Plant Type
Recommended starting capacity ranges for the four e-waste recycling plant types — mechanical (2–5 TPD), PCB (0.5–2 TPD), pyrometallurgical (1–5 TPD), and hydrometallurgical (50–500 kg/day of concentrate) — with the commercial and operational reasoning for each range.
Independent vs Dependent Lines
Five aspects comparing independent and dependent processing lines in a multi-line e-waste plant — a critical regulatory distinction where CPCB counts only independent lines toward authorised TPA capacity, and dependent lines are excluded from the capacity calculation.
Single-Line Capacity Worked Example
A step-by-step worked example of the CPCB single-line capacity formula for an e-waste recycling plant — showing how a 4 TPH bottleneck stage, 20 operating hours per day, and 330 operating days per year combine to give an authorised capacity of 46,200 TPA.