MoU signed to construct 105KM rail track in Thar Coal. An extraordinary contract ( 100% FDI of $170m on PPP model with no sovereign backed fixed ROI)

[RoadRunner401]

I keep reading about cement plants using imported coal as fuel, My knowledge on this subject is limited to what I read here and there, I would love to know why we aren't making cement plants burn used this as fuel then imported coal?

 

[Maula Jatt]

I keep reading about cement plants using imported coal as fuel, My knowledge on this subject is limited to what I read here and there, I would love to know why we aren't making cement plants burn used this as fuel then imported coal?

This stuff was low quality afaik

 

[Patriot forever]

This stuff was low quality afaik

Our coal is best suited for power generation.

For cement industries it can be preprocessed to reduce its moisture content. Just like wood is preprocessed and moisture content is reduced to make furniture.

For steel its more complicated as impurities like sulfur can degrade the quality of steel not to mention the high burning temperature required.

 

[khail007]

Though I have no idea about ash of that coal could be used after burning, in fly ash brick making. someone expert could enlighten us. If possible then it will of huge benefits in the construction industry:

 

[CrazyZ]

Our coal is roughly half the caloric value of imported coal ( that differential is already accounted for in fuel cost/kwh, writing this for those who might confuse and say its cheaper because its caloric value is lower and use that to discredit like happened in the past).

I can not say for certain but I think these imported coal plants are designed to run at higher temperatures to attain the rated efficiency ( as bitumen by inherent properties burns hotter than lignite, also lignite is harder to burn). These coal plants have boiler sizes and running lignite vs high grade coal can not achieve the optimal output. Will require significant modifications in boiler size and boiler turbine arrangement ( if that is even possible).
Lignite coal plants are specifically designed are larger in size and are more expensive.
Maybe 20% is the most that we can mix to make these plants to run ( this shows government has considered this).

Even if Thar coal has half the caloric value of imported coal, its costs only $20 a ton to extract. With the global energy price surge, imported coal prices surged to peak at $270 a ton a few months ago. Burning twice the amount of Thar coal is cheaper then importing. $40 vs $270 for the same energy content....economics is clear. Thar coal and hydro are the best hedges to global energy prices for Pakistan.