EFFECT OF COAL PROPERTIES ON THE SPECIFIC COAL CONSUMPTION IN A TYPICAL THERMAL POWER-STATION IN INDIA

The effect of various coal properties like ash content, moisture conte nt, fixed carbon and calorific value on specific coal consumption in a typical thermal power station in India is analysed. It is observed th at the specific coal consumption is a strong function of moisture cont ent, ash content and fixed carbon. For the Panipat Thermal Power Stati on (the one considered in the present analysis), it is observed that, for an increase in moisture content by 2%, the specific coal consumpti on increases by about 8%. If, however, the ash content is increased by 2% the specific coal consumption increases by about 5%. It is also ob served that, for a 4% increase in fixed carbon, the specific coal cons umption decreases by about 25%.