Paradip Port recorded a major achievement in loading operations by introducing ship loading of 20,112MT of blended coal in the vessel M.V. Diamond Star containing high-grade coal of ECL (G4 grade)with low-grade coal of MCL(G12 grade) at the ratio of 35 : 65 to achieve a higher GCV suitable for Vallure thermal power station of M/s NTECL.

Thermal power plants blend high-grade coal with low-grade coal to achieve the intended Gross Calorific Value (GCV) at the power plant end. Mostly the high-grade coal is imported from Indonesia.

In India high-grade coal with high GCV is available in ECL, CCL & SECL as against the abundant supply of low-grade coal from MCL.

Possibly for the first time in India, two different grades of domestic coal were blended at a port to achieve the same effect of blending with imported coal. This would be in the direction of import substitution of Indonesian coal and will go a long way in saving precious foreign exchange for the country said port sources.

In the blending process carried out at the Mechanised Coal Handling Plant of PPT, two different grades of coal from different collieries were homogeneously blended using a mechanised process.

Re-circulation of high-grade coal from the stockyard through re-claimers and low-grade coal unloaded directly from wagons pass through a common junction house to form blended coal as per the desired ratio.

This blending process at MCHP, PPT ensures homogeneous blending to ensure the blend remains consistent. A controlled automated blending system using programmable logic control maintains an accurate blending ratio. This permits the creation of a thermal coal hub which supplies the desired grade of blended coal on F.O.B basis. Overall this results in a reduction in inventory costs of thermal power plants, import substitution etc. noted port sources.

Mechanised coal handling plant (MCHP) of PPT is equipped with state of the art technology and serves the purpose of exporting thermal coal to the power plants in southern India.

Since inception, the plant has achieved many milestones in operational parameters like high-berth productivity, minimum turn-around time of vessels which are at par with international standards, said the port authorities.