Impact of Open Coal Stockpiles

Majority of the coal stockpiles inside the Indian power plant are open type built with various kinds of stackers and reclaimers. This type of open storage poses both environmental and functional loss. There are several problems being faced with the present type of open stockpile system.

Functionality loss-

1) Combustion of Coal – Spontaneous coal combustion in open storage is one of the major concerns in the thermal power plant. The spontaneous combustion of coal in the open stockpile results in the degradation of the coal and causes changes in the physical and chemical properties of the coal.

2) Loss of GCV – Coal loses the gross calorific value when stored in the open. This increases the amount of energy required per unit

.

3) Loss of Coal – 2.4% of coal goes to waste due to erosion by wind and percolation of the coal during rainfall.

Environmental loss-

1) Fugitive dust nuisance from the stockpile due to the wind – Due to the fugitive dust emission from the stockpile, dust particles will be carried by wind and causes pollution. This would pollute the plant area and could cause damage to the other utilities like cooling towers, switch yard etc in the power plant.

2) Ground Water Contamination – Percolation of the coal particles with the rain water contaminates the ground water.

In view of the problems faced in the open type stockpile, there are many alternative methods of storing the coal but Coal Storage Sheds are the best possible solution to address the issues listed above. Coal Storage sheds is highly specialized and comes with following advantages. The cost of structure is 30-40% lower as compared to other conventional structures. This structure installation does not impact the productivity of the plant. Since this structure uses circular sections that coal dust accumulation is kept minimal on the members.

About Hindustan Alcox Limited

With over 30 years of experience in it, we at Hindustan Alcox Limited are the leading Coal storage shed manufacturer in India. We provide practical solutions to these above challenges, in most efficient and cost reducing ways and satisfy our clients with the best available solutions in storage and handling of any type of bulk storage.

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