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Effect of moisture in coal on station heat rate

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The Journal of CPRI,
Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015  pp. 773-786

Effect of moisture in coal on station heat rate and fuel cost for Indian thermal
power plants

Siddhartha Bhatt M* and Rajkumar N**

Indian coals inherently contain low inherent moisture (IM) (5.5-9.5 % with an average of around 7.5
%) and moisture addition is through the surface moisture (SM) due to sources external to the coal.
On the other hand imported coals contain very high IM (15-25 %) but negligible SM. Presence
of surface moisture (SM) is a major liability to the power generating process and it’s and control
needs to be understood on a broader national perspective. Great importance must be given during the
transportation, handling, transfer and storage of coal to ensure that its heating value is preserved and
there is no deterioration on account of SM addition enroute to the power plant or in the coal yard
storage prior to its entry into the furnace of the boilers. It is the SM which affects the power plant
operations. In the case of imported coals higher total moisture (TM) coals (higher inherent moisture
and almost no SM) are cheaper and the marginally increased generation cost due to IM is offset by
the cheaper purchase price. The same is not true for Indian coals where there is no provision for cost
accounting of SM except for upper limits. The impact of 1 % TM (without considering the weight effect)
is -4.2 kcal/kWh on design unit heat rate, -8.2 kcal/kWh on operating unit heat rate, -0.0226 p.u. of
plant load on Station load, -4.0 % on Plant load factor,+0.2263 % of plant load on Auxiliary power,
+0.0079 kg/kWh on Specific coal consumption,+1.1426 ml/kWh on Specific fuel oil consumption and
+15.21 kcal/kWh on Station heat rate.

Keywords: Moisture in coal, surface moisture, inherent moisture, total moisture, gross calorific value,
unit heat rate

1.0 INTRODUCTION are proven. Coal will continue to dominate the

The installed capacity of the country is ~250 GW
out of which ~140 GW is the share of coal based
power generation (~ 57 %). The power generation
growth rate represented by Compound Annual
Growth Rate (CAGR) is 8 %.
electrical energy generation scenario for the next
20-30 years. Most of the indigenous coal is from
government owned mines which account for 90
% of the indigenous production. Out of this 88
% is mined through open cast processes. Shaft
mining is restricted to only high quality coals.

Coal is contributing to ~ 1.5 % of the GDP as it
is the main energy source for power generation
with a reserves of 275 billion tonnes (production
capacity over 10 million t/y and up to a depth
of 600 m) of which nearly 115 billion tonnes
By 2016, the percentage of coal requirement
for power generation in India is likely to go to
82 % of the total coal production (520 million
tonnes/year) and the import is likely to go to 38
% (200 million tonnes/year). The increase in coal

*Additional Director, Central Power Research Institute, Bangalore - 560 080, India. E-mail: msb@cpri.in Mobile: +91-9448459587
**EO4, ERED, Central Power Research Institute, Bangalore - 560080, E-mail: rajkumar@cpri.in
774 The Journal of CPRI,  Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015

consumption is not only because of new capacity
addition but also because of deterioration of coal
quality (in terms of its heating value).
Coal follows a long route from the time it is
mined till it is ultimately combusted in the utility
boilers. The commercial mechanism of supply
of coal to the power plants is through the fuel
linkage system based on fuel supply agreement
between the colliery and the power utility. Nearly
60 % of the coal is transferred from the mine to
the power plant through Indian railways, 25 %
through trucks and the balance through dedicated
transfer systems such as merry-go-round-systems,
etc.
Coals and most other solid fuels being of variable
heating values are priced based on the product
of the quantity (tonnes) and the quality (gross
heating value in kcal/kg).
Indian coals for power generation applications
are of drift origin are of high ash (25-50 %) with
gross calorific values (GCV) in the range of 2300-
4500 kcal/kg. Sulphur (< 0.6 %) is not a problem
except in very few specific mines. Coals and
most other solid fuels being of variable heating
value are priced based on the product of the
quantity (tonnes) and the quality (gross heating
value-GCV in kcal/kg). The largest coal producer
in India is Coal India which is selling coals based
on 17 grades [G(n)] with a grade bandwidth of
300 kcal/kg as follows:
....(1)
For the purpose of computing bulk quantities, the
average coal GCV of indigenous coal is taken as
3500 kcal/kg and that of imported coal is taken
as 6500 kcal/kg.
With the import of high GCV coal to sustain
power generation on the rise, energy efficient
utilization of coal resources is essential. Efficient
use of coal calls for effective transfer, storage,
monitoring and management to ensure that there
are minimal losses in quantity or quality in the
process of transfer from the mine to the boilers.
Coal utilization efficiency (before it is used in
the boilers, i.e., from mills till bunkers) is in the
range of 80-98 %.
Figure 1 shows the gradual rise in cost [FOB
(freight on board)] of imported coal over the year

120
FOB cost of imported thermal

100

80
coal $/t

60

40

20

0
1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Year
FIG. 1 RISE IN COST OF IMPORTED COAL.
The Journal of CPRI,  Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015 775
The main non-chemically reactive ingredients in
coal which result in the drop in GCV are ash and
moisture.
2.0 TOTAL MOISTURE IN COAL
Moisture in coal consists of inherent moisture (IM)
and surface moisture (SM). The total moisture
(TM) is a sum of IM and SM. IM is moisture which
is an integral part of the coal seam in its natural
state, including water in pores but excluding that
in macroscopically visible fractures. Equilibrated
moisture (in chemically equilibrated condition)
(EM) or chemical moisture is taken as IM though
it can be different for low grade coals. As per
IS:1350 Part I (2000) [1] for moisture EM means
the moisture as determined after equilibrating
at 60% relative humidity (RH) and 40 ºC as
per the provisions (relating to determination of
equilibrated moisture at 60% RH and 40 ºC) of
BIS 1350 [1].
....(2)
SM is the difference between TM and IM and
is also called as excess moisture. SM is the
physically visible moisture exterior to the coal and
is seen as wetness or common man’s perception
of moisture. IM is not visible to the eye. A coal
or lignite with very high IM but no SM can still
be bone dry when it is seen or touched. Wet coal
generally implies a coal with high SM manifested
as physically visible wetness.
TM implies the total moisture content (including
SM) expressed as percentage of coal and
determined on as-delivered basis. IM or EM
is not in our control as it is governed by the
thermodynamics of liquid-vapour equilibrium
and the chemical processes which has led to the
coal formation. SM is an added quantity and can
vary in any range. Hence TM is affected by the
criticality of SM. This brings down the GCV of
coal (thermal content of coal) which reduces the
output it delivers, reduced boiler efficiency and
unit overall efficiency. Also, wet coal is difficult
to handle and its movement in conveyors, chutes,
hoppers, bunkers and pipes is considerably
hindered making its grinding, milling and flow
into the boiler very difficult.
Coals as mined are classified on the basis of the
sum total of ash and moisture in equilibrium as
in Figure 2.
90
Equlibriated Ash & Moisture
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Carbon
Shaley
Coal
aceous
Shaley
Coal
Shale
FIG. 2 CLASSIFICATION OF COALS
The coal payments for indigenous collieries are
being made on the basis of equilibrated moisture
(IM at 60 % RH and 40 ºC).
Generally Indian coals are low in TM (6-10 %)
and the high moisture in Indian coals is due to
physical addition of SM during the process or
mining, transfer or handling. On the other hand
imported coals contain high TM as high as 25-40
% but most of it is in the form of IM and there is
virtually no SM. Therefore the coals are absolutely
dry to handle even though they contain high TM
just like lignite. Imported coals do not present
any difficulty in pre-combustion processing
like crushing, transfer, etc. and the loadability
of the generating units are not affected due to
transfer and flow related issues outside the boilers
Figure 3 gives the decrease in GCV with moisture
for a sample Indian coal of GCV of 2,000 to 7,000
kcal/kg. Figure 4 gives the drop in GCV of coal
for 1 % moisture increase.
776 The Journal of CPRI,  Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015

7000 6500 6000 Figure 4 gives the drop in GCV due to increase
8000
in TM of imported coals.
7000

6000 8,000
y = -85.40x + 7223.

GCV of rimported aw coal (kcal/kg)

7,000
5000
GCV, kcal/kg

R² = 0.905
6,000
4000
5,000
3000 4,000

2000 3,000
2,000
1000
1,000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Total moisture, %
0

FIG. 3 DECREASE IN GCV OF COAL WITH MOISTURE. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Total moisture in raw coal (%)

FIG. 4 DROP IN GCV DUE TO INCREASE IN TM OF

The drop in GCV (kcal/kg) of coal for 1 % IMPORTED COALS.
increase in TM is given by,

Figures 5 and 6 show the experimental correlation

....(3)
between TM and SM with IM in Indian coals
mined in India. It can be seen that there is SM of
....(4) 4-7 % in Indian coal.

14
12
y = - 0.827x + 11.92
Suraface Moisture (%)

10
8
6
4
2
0
5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5
Equilibriated Moisture (%)

FIG. 5 CORRELATION BETWEEN SM AND EQUILIBRATED MOISTURE IN MINED COAL.

The Journal of CPRI,  Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015 777
20
18
Total Moisture (%)
16
14
12
10
8
5 5.5 6 6.5
Equilibriated Moisture (%)
FIG. 6 CORRELATION BETWEEN TM AND EQUILIBRATED MOISTURE IN MINED COAL.
According to a technical study by NTPC, R & D,
the maximum drop in GCV of coal in a coal yard
is around 600 kcal/kg in an year [2]. The drop of
GCV in the coal yard according to some studies
[3,4] is in-between 1.4 %/year (70 kcal/kg/year)
in winter like weather and 2.1 %/year (105 kcal/
kg/year) in summer like weather. In majority of
the cases, the number of days of storage is varying
from 9 to 30 and hence the drop in GCV should
not exceed a value of 150 kcal/kg.
The GCV of both receipt coal (receiving end coal
at the thermal station) as well as bunkered coal
(coal fed into the boilers) can be either represented
as either Air Dried Basis (ADB) which can be
treated as EM or IM basis where the GCV is
determined by drying the sample in air under
equilibrated conditions, or as Air fired basis (AFB)
wherein the moisture effect is subtracted. The
experimental different between the two is around
280-350 kcal/kg with an average difference of 315
kcal/kg which represents the effect of excessive
SM (~5.6 to 7.0 %). The experimental correlation
between the two is [5]:
....(5)
y = 0.173x + 11.92
7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10
In all experimental bombs calorimetric it is
only GCV (ADB) which is determined. Based on
the initial SM prior to drying the GCV (AFB) is
computed based on the experimental correlation
between GCV, ash and ΔTM. The magnitude of
the difference between the receipt coal GCV and
bunkered coal GCV should be within 150 kcal/
kg of the receipt coal GCV implying that the SM
should be contained to within 3 %. The drop or
difference between the receipt coal GCV and the
bunkered coal GCV indicates the drop in GCV
at the coal handling plant of the TPS which is
predominantly due to addition of SM. Cost wise
it would tantamount to higher cost of coal (Rs./
Gcal).
3.0 EFFECTS OF MOISTURE IN
COAL ON POWER STATION
PERFORMANCE
3.1 Performance of the power block (unit
performance)
The effects of moisture in coal on the power block
(boiler-turbine-generator unit) are decreased in
boiler efficiency (Figure 7), decreased overall
unit efficiency (increase in heat rate) (Figure 8)
and decrease in unit load.
778 The Journal of CPRI,  Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015
FIG. 7 DECREASE IN BOILER EFFICIENCY DUE TO
INCREASED TOTAL MOISTURE
The boiler efficiency decreases due to increase
in moisture and the unit heat rate increases. This
results in increased cost of generation.
The sensitivity of boiler efficiency and unit heat
rate to TM without considering the weight effect
is given in Table 1. The effect of weight of TM
on the GCV has not been considered, i.e., if the
TM is increased by 10 % the weight of coal
will be only 90 %. If the coal of GCV of 3500
kcal/kg has an increase of TM of 10 %, then
the weight of coal will be 90 % or the GCV
will be lower by 350 kcal/kg by virtue of the
weight. This effect has not been considered here
because once the coal enters the premises of the
thermal power plant, then the SM addition will
only increase in weight addition to the extent of
the addition of external moisture and does not
decrease the GCV. For computation of specific
fuel consumption (SFC) the original weight only
will be considered and the added new weight is
general not considered.
According to one study [6] the impact of 1 %
increase of moisture on boiler efficiency is 0.2
% for coals and 0.27 % for lignite’s and on unit
heat rate it is 0.43 % which comes to around
10-11 kcal/kWh
FIG. 8 INCREASE IN UNIT HEAT RATE DUE TO
INCREASED TOTAL MOISTURE.
TABLE 1
SENSITIVITY OF BOILER EFFICIENCY AND
UNIT HEAT RATE TO TM WITHOUT
CONSIDERING THE WEIGHT EFFECT
Sl.
Particular Value
No.
Boiler efficiency
01 -0.123
(design) % per 1 % inc. in TM
Boiler efficiency
02 -0.270
(operating) (same unit)
Unit heat rate (design)
03 4.2
kcal/kWh per 1 % inc. in TM
Unit heat rate (operating)
04 8.2
(same unit)
3.2 Effect of coal movement and handling
While internal moisture affects the coal combustion
process, external (mechanical) moisture gives
rise to difficulties in handling (transfer and flow
ability) of coal with severe capacity reduction
of all equipment in the coal plant ranging from
crushers to conveyors. External moisture also
creates combustion difficulties by creating
thermal lag during the combustion process.
Units tripping on mill choke up, load hunting due
to insufficient flow from bunkers, raw coal feeder
jam, etc., are quite common during this period.
Even though the bunker level may be full, only
30 % of the bunker capacity can be utilized
The Journal of CPRI,  Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015 779
due to bonding of coal at the bunker periphery
and flow is only through rat hole in the bunker
center. When there is a choke up, the procedure
is usually to remove the blockage by poking
through the bottom opening. Air blasters are
sometimes being used. If the level of coal is over
30-40 %, a through hole cannot be established to
remove the choke up. The bunker level under this
condition needs to be filled continuously to the
optimal level of 30 % to 50 % depending on the
coal wetness and risk of choke up. Full filling of
the bunker can be resorted to only when there is
no risk of choke up. Choke up on full level can
be quite difficult to release.
Rainy season restricts the plant load ability due
to the movement of sticky coal which contains
clayey mineral matter. Retardation of coal flow
through the systems results in capacity reduction.
When the SM of coal exceeds 6 %, it becomes
sticky in addition to the stickiness created by the
clay content of the mineral matter leading to severe
capacity restriction in the tipplers, conveyors,
crushers, bunkers and mills. The effective flow
able coal through bunkers gets restricted to only
20 % of the bunker volume in its centre.
The effect of moisture on bulk density of coal is
given in Figure 9 for various coal fine nesses (%
passing through 200 mesh or 75 μm) (source: US
Bureau of Mines) [7].
FIG. 9 EFFECT OF COAL FINENESS (% THROUGH 75
MICRONS) ON THE BULK DENSITY OF COAL
(SOURCE: US BUREAU OF MINES STUDY ON
COAL)
The stations need to gear up to the demands of
the rainy season through several measures [8]
such as the following:
yy Stocking of sufficient coals of sandy
background which do not have serious sticky
properties as compared to coals of clayey
background.
yy Use of washed coals of sandy background.
yy Blending of raw coal (GCV=~3500 kcal/kg)
with washed coals (GCV=~4200 kcal/kg) or
imported coals (GCV=~5000 kcal/kg).
yy Optimal (partial) filling of bunker levels.
Some of the solutions for wet coal handling are
[8]:
A. Management of coal yard
• Rain guards for conveyors
• Tarpaulins to cover wagons
• Providing slopes for drainage of water
• Concreting of storage yards and
providing retaining walls
• Rain water channeling, dredging and
cleaning of flow passages
• Compacting by special compactors
instead of bull dozers.
• Storage pile design improvement
through compacting. Pyramidal shapes
with drains on either side lead to low
water absorption. Further the piles must
not have surface depressions or pits.
• Used oil may be sprayed on coaly yard
instead of reselling. Alternatively it can
be blended with fuel oil.
• Dome for storage of coal
• Provision for ground level tippling (non-
pit type) of wagons
B. Management of conveyors
• Increased conveyor angles
• Multi bladed cleaners
• Reduction in belt speeds
780 The Journal of CPRI,  Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015
• Skirt board seals, baffle plates and
centering plates at loading points
• Self-cleaning screening system
• Well designed wash down drainage
system
• Management of carry over return
• Conveyor belt sealing between chute
and pan of vibratory feeder to prevent
spillage
C. Management of chutes and bunkers
• Deflector plates of Stainless steel (SS
304) to chutes
• Vibratory feeders/thumpers/rappers in
place of static feeders
• Air blasters
• Chute modification to increase angle
• Widening of passages
• Water jet cleaning
Many of the solutions described above are add-
ons or modifications (to the already supplied coal
handling and conveying equipment) done at the
level of the power station. The coal handling and
conveying technology needs to viewed holistically
and specific products for handling wet coal need
to be designed as the rainy season in India lasts
for almost one third of the year in several regions.
Figure 10 shows the bonding of wet coal with
clayey mineral background.
FIG. 10 BONDING OF HIGH MOISTURE COAL IN A
COAL YARD.
3.3 Effect of TM on station performance
Moisture effects have been studied in the form of
dips in the station performance during monsoon
months [9,10]. While these studies focused on
month wise performance they did not exclusively
focus on TM or SM. In the present study the
effect of SM leading to increased TM for Indian
coals have been presented.
This is due to combined effect of the effect
of moisture on the power block as well as the
coal movement and handling. During monsoon
months when there is severe rainfall SM addition
to coal happens at mining site, loading end and
enroute from the mine as well as in-plant during
the movement from the wagon tipplers till the
bunkers. The combined effect results in dips in
the station load, increased fuel oil consumption,
increased heat rate and increased station auxiliary
power. These effects are given in the following
figures.
Table 3 gives the sensitivity of station performance
parameters to increase in TM. The weight effect
is not considered here because the SM addition
is after the coal is initially weighed. When the
TM is increased by 10 %, the coal weight will be
reduced to 90 % thereby the GCV will be lower
on a weight basis. If the original GCV is 3500
kcal/kg the new GCV will be reduced by 350
kcal/kg. This basis is not considered because SM
addition will result in addition of weight of the
original coal and does not physically reduce the
total heat content.
FIG. 11 SENSITIVITY OF STATION INSTANTANEOUS
LOAD TO TM.
The Journal of CPRI,  Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015 781

FIG. 12 SENSITIVITY OF STATION AUXILIARY POWER

TO TM

FIG. 15 SENSITIVITY OF STATION MONTHLY

SECONDCARY FUEL OIL CONSUMPTION TO
TM

FIG. 13 SENSITIVITY OF STATION MONTHLY PLF TO

TM.

FIG. 16 SENSITIVITY OF STATION MONTHLY HEAT

RATE TO TM.

The sensitivity indices of station performance

parameters to TM without considering the weight
effect is given in Table 2.
FIG. 14 SENSITIVITY OF STATION MONTHLY
SPECIFIC FUEL CONSUMPTION TO TM.
782 The Journal of CPRI,  Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015

TABLE 2 during the months from October to May and 9%

THE SENSITIVITY INDICES OF STATION
during the months from June to September, the
PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS coal quantities delivered to the power plants will
Sl. Station performance
be adjusted for the resultant excess SM, which
Sensitivity index shall be calculated in percentage by which the SM
No. parameter
exceeds the foregoing limits. This corresponds to
-0.0226 p.u. of
01 Station load a TM of approximately 12 % in summer and 14
plant load
% in rainy season which rarely happens. Hence
02 Plant load factor -4.0 %
it can be said that the SM effect is virtually not
+0.2263 % of
03 Auxiliary power factored in the cost calculations. On this account
plant load
Indian coal costs do not show sensitivity to TM
Specific coal as indicated in Figures 17 and 18.
04 +0.0079 kg/kWh
consumption
Specific fuel oil
05 +1.1426 ml/kWh
consumption
06 Station heat rate +15.21 kcal/kWh

4.0 COST SENSITIVITY OF MOISTURE

IN COAL

4.1 Indian coal

In the case of indigenous coals, the heating value

for commercial purposes is based on equilibrated
moisture which is equivalent to IM and the TM
does not get reflected in the commercial heating
value. In other words, SM does not get accounted
in the costing. The basis for payment at the
collieries is the GCV on the basis of equilibrated FIG. 17 SENSITIVITY OF INDIAN COAL PRICE (RS./T)
moisture and the GCV drop due to SM does not TO TM

figure. The actual heating value of coal received

for power generation will be lower than the
commercial heating value as indicated in the
graphs on equilibrated moisture and TM.

The realistic basis for payment would be the TM

at the mine loading end (sending end). Addition
of SM enroute to the thermal power plant or
moisture addition in the coal yard of the power
plant is to the account of the user.

The fuel supply agreements for Indian coals do not

have provision for accounting the effect of SM.
Only equilibrated moisture (IM) gets factored in
the pricing. The SM and hence the TM does not
get factored into the agreement. The only relief
for indigenous coal users is that in the event that FIG. 18 SENSITIVITY OF INDIAN COAL PRICE (RS./
monthly weighted average SM in coal exceeds 7% GCAL) TO TM.
The Journal of CPRI,  Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015 783
The coal pricing should be on the basis of TM
at the mine loading end (sending end) as it gives
a true picture of the energy content in the coal
purchased.
Based on the coal prices cited above, there is an
increase in generating cost by Rs. 0.198 /kWh
due to increased TM by 10 % over the normal
value and an additional increase in cost of fuel
oil and auxiliary power of Rs. 0.10/kWh giving
an increased cost of generation by Rs. 0.298/kWh
at the station level.
FIG. 19 COST SENSITIVITY OF IMPORTED COALS TO TM
FIG. 20 COST SENSITIVITY OF IMPORTED COALS TO TM.
4.2 Imported coal
Imported coals contain high TM by virtue of high
IM but very low SM. Hence handling difficulties
do not arise. In the case of imported coal the
basis for payment is defined on the basis of either
equilibrated moisture or TM as per the agreement.
The cost of imported coal decreases with increase
in TM or increase in IM.
Figures 19 and 20 give the cost sensitivity of
Imported coals to moisture in terms of Rs./t and
Rs./Gcal.
784 The Journal of CPRI,  Vol. 11,  No. 4,  December 2015
Table 3: Cost sensitivity of imported coals to
increased cost due to increased unit heat rate and
decreased purchase cost by increase of TM by 10
% over the normal value.
TABLE 3
COST SENSITIVITY OF IMPORTED COALS
Impact on cost of energy
Sl. generated due to 10 % Value
No. increase in TM over the (Rs./kWh)
normal value
01 Unit heat rate 0.11
Lower purchase price of high
02 0.38
TM imported coal
It is seen that the cost impact due to 10 % increase
in TM over the normal value actual is a Rs. 0.11/
kWh for increased heat rate. This is very small
as compared to the reduced fuel purchase cost
component of the generation cost (Rs. 0.36/kWh)
(for similar 10 % increase in TM over the normal
value) because as the TM increases the price of
coals decrease.
5.0 CONCLUSIONS
i. Major capacity addition has been based
on assumed coal supplies from indigenous
sources. The decreasing quality as well as
difficulties in mobilization for a CAGR of
8 % has resulted in turning to imports (15-
20 %) for supplementing of the primary fuel
requirements which is a good short term
measure.
ii. TM (both IM and SM) in coal has a
negative impact on the energy performance.
However, IM only marginally decreases the
performance whereas SM has a devastating
effect on the handling and transfer and
processing of coal prior to its firing into the
furnace of the boilers. Hence, all efforts are
required to ensure non addition of enroute
SM.
iii. If the boilers are designed for operating on
high TM coals, the high TM (due to higher
IM) imported coals can be successfully fired
in an economical fashion as the open market
price of coals with higher TM (higher IM)
will be lower than coals with lower TM. The
overall cost of generation will be lower for
coals with higher TM (due to higher IM).
The increased generation cost due to lower
boiler efficiency and unit overall efficiency
(Rs. 0.11/kWh) will be completely offset by
the component due to decreased purchase
price of higher TM coals (Rs. 0.38/kWh).
Therefore, for imported coals the economics
is in favour of operating on higher TM coals
based on the coal pricing.
iv. In the case of indigenous coals, the heating
value for commercial purposes is based
on IM and the SM does not get reflected
in the commercial GCV or in the costing.
The actual GCV of coal received for power
generation will be lower than the commercial
GCV as indicated in the graphs on IM and
TM. Hence, the realistic basis for payment
would be the TM at the mining point and SM
would have to figure in at the time the coal is
transferred from the seller to the buyer.
v. In the case of both imported coals and
indigenous coals, addition of SM presents
difficulties in transfer across the coal plant,
crushing, pulverizing and injection of coal
into the furnace of the boiler which affects
station load ability.
vi. The impact of 1 % TM (without considering
the weight effect) is -4.2 kcal/kWh on
design unit heat rate, -8.2 kcal/kWh on
operating unit heat rate, -0.0226 p.u. of plant
load on Station load, -4.0 % on Plant load
factor,+0.2263 % of plant load on Auxiliary
power, +0.0079 kg/kWh on Specific coal
consumption,+1.1426 ml/kWh on Specific
fuel oil consumption and +15.21 kcal/kWh
on Station heat rate.
REFERENCES
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