Material Handling in Coal-fired Power Plants - Hot Topic for September 6, 2012
The following speakers addressed the various material handling systems and equipment available for all of the materials used in a coal-fired power plant; the advantages or disadvantages of each; their operating experience with the equipment; potential problems to avoid during design and operation and new technology available to improve performance while reducing energy consumed and maintenance.
Len Schwartz, Product Manager at Clyde Bergemann Malvern, covered the pneumatical handling applications from truck to the point of use in the air pollution control system. This includes moving pulverized limestone, trona, and other reagents. Dual phase conveying has a place for medium distance. Dense phase conveying is the most efficient but requires higher pressures. Dilute phase is good for short distances. It is not that efficient but the pressures are in the range of the truck capability.
Charles S. Alack, President of Semi-Bulk Systems, Inc, described efficient in-line mixer processes for handling and dispersing large volumes of pulverized limestone for FGD scrubbers. The pulverized limestone slurry mixer processes recently supplied to Minnesota Power, Southern Power and Ameren power plants incorporate unique in-line mixing of the fluidized solids and water which often is purified scrubber wastewater. Both Len and Charles talked about an Ameren diagram where both companies supplied systems.
Geoff Conroy, President of Aumund Corporation, discussed automated methods for coal storage, handling and blending. He covered a number of methods of coal handling for large stockpiles, multi-piles and reclaim applications to achieve coal blending, both within the pile and from several piles. Here in the U.S. much of the activity is in the handling of FGD gypsum. Aumund is providing the coal handling at the new Kemper power plant.
The Bios, Abstracts and Photos
can be seen at:
BIOS, ABSTRACTS, PHOTOS - Sept. 6, 2012.htm
The individual presentations are as follows: