Dr Kalyan Sen, Emeritus Prof, Bengal Engineering & Science University Shibpur,
and Independent Director, Central Coalfields Ltd, Ranchi
Sachin Chattopadhyay, Former CGM, Engg & Washery, Coal India Ltd.
Clean Coal – Where India Stands Today.
Abstract
About 450 Mtpy is the production of energy coal in India at present. Thanks to MOEF (2002) ruling of compulsion in reducing the average ash content of coal to 34% for Power Houses situated at a distance of more than 1000km from the mines, and also for Thermal PHs located in strategic areas, like cities and environmentally sensitive areas, the setting up of energy coal washeries has created no less than a “Clean Coal Revolution” in India.
Cumulative Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for the installation of Coal Washeries in most of the energy coal rich coalfields in India has crossed all time record by a significant extent. We know that if CAGR for any industry is consistently more than 12%, the growth becomes Auto Catalytic. That means, the industry becomes self sufficient in creating further investment without external assistance.
I am excited to mention that Korba & Sohagpur Coalfields and Singereni Coalfields have shown a CAGR of 23.0 and 30.69 % respectively in last few years, where as Pench Kahnan & Wardha and Talcher & Ib Valley coalfields registered CAGR of 35.57 and 32.84% respectively during last 8 years. Even Raniganj Coalfield, which has not been industrially fast developing in other fields, showed CAGR of 19.87% during last 6 years. The erstwhile coking coalfields like Jharia and Karanpura & Bokaro have also shown a CAGR for energy coal washery growth as 13.88% during last 8 years. Overall CAGR for Energy Coal Washery capacity build up in India is more than 23.49% for the last 15 years.
This is remarkable and it is hoped to further beef up by installation of a series of 16 washeries (capacity 85 Mtpy of raw energy coal – besides coking coal washeries) envisaged by Coal India Ltd with BOMO concept. This will lead the way to prove conscientiousness and seriousness of the Indian Government and the Entrepreneurs towards Clean Coal revolution.
Following pages present the detailed information regarding development of energy coal production and washery capacity build up of major coalfields of India.
The author is indebted to Coal India Ltd, Coal Controller and private Coal Washery Operators for providing the basic and progressive information. The present study is a part of the Clean Coal study being conducted in BESUS, with the help of Shri Chandan Das, CSIR Research Fellow.
Energy Coal Scenario in India
Per capita consumption of energy coal in India is low, about 400 kg. It is mainly due to our comfortable tropical climate. People like to live in open houses, instead of air-conditioned pigeon holes, love to cook with slow fire using cow dung or fire wood, instead of with micro or electrical induction ovens and hardly need to use geysers, room heaters and other high energy consuming applian