New Delhi: After the successful trial operation of Ib Valley Lakhanpur Washery (10.0 Mty), MCL in November 2023, the Performance Guarantee Test (PGT) of the washery was started by CMPDI on 18.12.2023. This has been an initiative to promote domestic coal beneficiation on non-coking coal thereby maximizing the yield of high-quality coal. Washing non-coking coal offers a multitude of advantages, impacting various aspects like the economy, environment, and power generation.

Economic Advantages:

Enhanced Coal Quality:
Washing removes impurities like ash and gangue, leading to cleaner coal with higher calorific value. This translates to improved boiler efficiency in power plants, requiring less coal for the same power output.

Reduced Transportation Costs: 
Impurities add unnecessary weight to the coal, increasing transportation costs. Washing eliminates this dead weight, making transportation more economical.

Improved Marketability:
Washed coal fetches a premium price due to its superior quality, boosting the revenue of coal producers.

 

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Environmental Advantages:

Reduced Emissions: 
Burning washed coal leads to lower emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates. This contributes to cleaner air and improved public health.

Ash Management:
Washing significantly reduces the ash content in coal, leading to less ash generation during power production. This translates to smaller landfills and reduced environmental impact.

Water Conservation:
Modern washing technologies like dense media separation employ closed-loop water systems, minimizing water consumption.

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Power Generation Advantages:

Increased Plant Efficiency: 
Cleaner coal with higher calorific value leads to improved boiler efficiency and higher power generation. This translates to reduced dependence on imported coal and increased energy security for India.

Reduced Maintenance Costs: 
Washing minimizes wear and tear on power plant equipment due to abrasive impurities, leading to lower maintenance costs.

Enhanced Reliability: 
Cleaner coal operation results in fewer plant outages and improved grid stability.
Overall, washing of non-coking coal in India is a win-win situation, bringing economic, environmental, and power generation benefits.

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