Types of Coal Storage Sheds

During the storage of coal many challenges arise such as spontaneous combustion of coal, loss of GCV (gross calorific value) and fugitive dust emissions. Due to rise of these kinds of problems there is a significant monetary and environmental loss. Coal storage sheds are considered as the perfect solution to overcome the challenges. With the help of coal storage sheds, these problems can be eliminated easily without damaging the environment. There are 2 types of Coal storage sheds-

1. COAL STORAGE - BARREL VAULT SHED

In this case, coal storage will be formed by the conventional rail mounted stacker cum reclaimer machines will be covered within the shed. The length and span of the shed could be adopted depending on the quantity of the storage required. In case of future expansion the length of the shed can be increased and same stacker reclaimer can be used for higher volumes. 

2. COAL STORAGE - DOME SHED

In this type of structure, the shape of the shed will be in the semi hemispherical form. There will be a concrete wall up to a certain height from the ground level and the structure will be erected above this wall. The dome structure of various sizes could be adopted depending on the quantity of storage required. A circular stacker and scraper type reclaimer could be used for reclaiming the coal. With this type of shed, coal will protected from wind and rain and hence the problems associated with these will be avoided. This kind of storage shed can accommodate higher quantity of coal in a smaller area as the height of storage could be increased. 

About Hindustan Alcox

We at Hindustan Alcox are the leading coal storage shed manufacturer in India. We provide practical solutions to these above challenges, in most efficient and cost reducing ways to provide our clients with the best available solutions in storage and handling of any type of bulk storage.

Read More - Impact of Open Coal Stockpiles 

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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Gasification of Coal

Gasification of coal is a high temperature process which is developed to produce a fuel gas with minimal of liquid and solids. Coal Gasification take place in a gasifier, generally in a high temperature vessel where oxygen and steam directly contracted with the coal causing a series of chemical reactions to occur that convert the feed to syngas and ash. Syngas is composed primarily of the colourless highly flammable gases carbon monoxide (CO) and Hydrogen (H2).  Coal Gasification is considered as a partial oxidation process.

Applications of Coal Gasification:-

¨ One of the most abundant energy sources

¨ Can be used to produce ultra-clean fuel

¨ Leading source of electricity today

¨ Chemical Production (Methanol, ammonia, acetic acid etc)

¨ Hydrogen made from coal or other solid fuels can be used to refine oil, or to make products such as ammonia and fertilizer (urea).

¨ By product of burning (ash or slag) can be used for concrete and roadways

Gasification is attractive for its simple but brutal operation. Higher efficiency, cleaner output and more control over products can only help the economics. As other sensor technologies are introduced gasification could be a leading refining technique for a wide range of raw materials from trash to cultivated biomass and on to coal. Gasification might not be elegant – but the process enjoys the leading spot for going to commercial scale in today’s market for synthetic fuel process. Particularly in clean generation of electricity from coal, gasification may make an increasingly important part of the world’s energy and industrial markets.

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