Minimizing coal cost through improved efficiency of coal yards of thermal power plants

Coal popularly known as black diamond is a national resource which needs to be used efficiently and prudently to minimize the cost of generation. Good coal management in power plants involves minimizing the audited/declared quantitative and quality loss of coal in the coal yard till it is combusted, to within 100 kcal/kg. In the present day scenario of a coal fired thermal power station, when the station coal stock is less than 10 days supply, the heating value of coal is deteriorating over the years, the loss in quantity and heating value in the coal yard should be quite low. Various measures for ensuring efficient utilization of coal such as automation of weighting, online coal energy management through software, accurate gross calorific value (GCV) measurement, etc., are required to ensure that quantity and quality losses are minimized. Coal washing efficiency and blending efficiency are also of importance in minimizing the coal costs.