Storage of
Petcoke:
Coke is a fuel made from coal
with high carbon content and few other impurities. Petcoke (or Petroleum
Coke) is fuel derived from its oil refining. The captive thermal power
plants exploit chemical energy of the petcoke and convert it
into into electrical energy. That is why maximum requirement
of fuel in thermal power plants is of coal. The petcoke storage at a large scale is needed to deliver in the storage yard
through transportation. The modes of coal transportation include railroad, pipeline, barge, truck,
and conveyor for domestic movement, plus ship movement for overseas. Then the petcoke
is dropped in a coal yard and usually stored in stockpiles. The Petcoke Storage plant in a
thermal power station covers unloading, its crushing, storage and filling of
boiler bunkers.
Risks
to petcoke/coal storage & their proper handling in Thermal Power Plant:
Global warming and other environmental factors such as
oxidation at low temperature, microbial metabolism, absorption & desorption
of water by virtue of differences between real and equilibrium moisture content
in coal and air causes some risks to coal storage. These risks include ‘self oxidation of coal’, ‘increase in
moisture content’, ‘spontaneous combustion’, ‘flow blockage’ etc.
In a Captive thermal
power plant, the foremost and effective process to avoid the risks to
coal storage in the power generation is “Coal Handling”. Coal handling includes
bunkering of coal, stacking & reclaiming of coal. Giant Stackers may be used to form two
different patterns- ‘cone’, ‘chevron’ either on one or both sides of stacker. Stacking and
reclaiming of coal is not only limited to avoid risks (such as spontaneous
combustion, self oxidation, caking
problem) to coal stockpiles but it must be carried out in such a way to keep coal effective to feed the
boiler and in turn optimized power generation.
Maintenance of petcoke/coal stockpiles for Productive Outcome Power:
Besides
the proper storage and handling of coal up to a remarkable extent, the
maintenance of coal stockpiles for long term use play an crucial role by
resulting an optimized power production. Maintenance of coal stockpiles for Productive
Outcome Power can be upheld by considering the following points:
·
Coal
dome or Petcoke dome should be constructed
in such a way to prevail cross ventilation at every corner inside it which, can
be done to prevent heat accumulation as well as to maintain the quality of
stockpiles for a long term. Besides, Coal dome provide best protection against moisture and rainy weather since coal
is vulnerable to moisture.
·
Monitoring height and
orientation of stockpiles: Routine surveying of stockpiles in term of their
heights and orientation should be done using infrared devices and/or sensors where
spontaneous combustion is more likely to occur. Storing coal in form of many
smaller stockpiles is a great idea.
·
Autonomous Stacking
& Reclaiming: The coal can be stacked and reclaimed by various methods like
(windrow, chevron, cone-shell etc) in order to provide an adequate treatment to
the material as well as the long-term maintenance of coal stockpiles for
efficient power outcome.
·
Coal Quality
Management: The system of coal quality
management is equally important while maintenance of coal stockpiles is our
priority. To examine coal quality, the parameters like (calorific value,
density, ash content, moisture content) are the prime.
·
Material Tracking: The enhanced degree of efficiency
of modern coal power plants calls for an integrated coal material tracking system
in order to secure the coal supply in the requested quantity and quality. For
an efficient material handling system, the Coal should be traceable anywhere,
even in a surge bin, on a belt or on the stockpile.
Hindustan Alcox Limited, the
well-versed & proficient organization emerged as India’s apex coal storage
shed manufacturer holds a tremendous experience of over 30 years in producing
Coal domes & storage sheds. Depending on different factors like geology, demographics,
climate etc we provide the best feasible &
competitive Bulk Storage dome
solutions such as Petcoke dome and Coal dome.
-
Hindustan Alcox Limited, New Delhi
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