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alternative to traditional bituminous coal since the 1980s. The lower NOx and SO2 in PRB coal reduced
power plant emissions, decreasing pollution, and appeasing the 1990 Clean Air Act. At the same time, the
low cost and availability made PRB coal not only a viable option, but a fuel of choice. While PRB coal was
the predominant emission efficient energy source in 1990, in 2012, it no longer reins as the most
environmentally friendly fuel. With the current government crack-down on coal-fired power plants, the
existing plants will likely be the last.
Coal-fired power plants are extremely volatile. After all, there is a reason the industry saying is, It isnt if
a fire occurs, but when. With the prospect of aging coal-fired power plants and their propensity for
combustion, it is essential to understand their fire hazards and insure the fire protection preparedness of
coal-fired power plants with extensive fire protection solutions.
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dust happens just as easily. The dust spreads in unseen areas, like coal silos or chutes. A Kansas City coalfired power plant witnessed this first hand when, on April 4, 2012, an explosion rocked the plant. Dust
accumulated in a chute, completely unseen, and caused the fire. Often, it is the hidden dust that causes
the devastation, carrying the explosion or causing secondary explosions throughout the plant.
Housekeeping
Without a stringent housekeeping regimen, even
the most advanced fire suppression system will not
be able to stop an explosion from happening. A
documented housekeeping routine is necessary to
reduce the odds of a fire or explosion. According to
the Mine Safety and Health Administration, with a
robust housekeeping schedule, the fuel source would be eradicated, eliminating secondary explosions.
Secondary explosions have the largest death toll of all coal-fired power plant combustions.
Dust collectors alone will not adequately dispose of dust; in fact, 40% of fires and explosions were caused
by the dust collectors. An effective option is to wet the dust to weigh it down so it does not float into
hidden crevices. Because the dust is microscopic, microscopic water spray must be used. Plants should
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use a wash down system to keep coal dust at a minimum. Industry surveys have shown that plant
personnel who have utilized wash down systems have been happy with the results.
During an outage, it is essential to clear dust completely from bunkers, silos, and conveyor belts. Idle dust
can explode. When preparing for the outage, wash down all walls of the bunkers or silos to eliminate the
source for explosions.
Carbon Dioxide
If dust cannot be completely cleared, another option is to pump carbon dioxide into a sealed bunker or
silo. The carbon dioxide would eliminate the possibility of dust combustion by taking away its oxygen.
Design
A bunker or silo should be designed as if a fire is imminent. Access points should be installed on several
levels to allow for entrance of fire extinguishment tools. It is important for the water to directly contact
the source of the fire in a bunker or silo. Another design choice that will reduce the chances of a fire or
explosion is a cone shaped floor or a free flow bottom cone. Many bunkers or silos have a funnel-flow
pattern that occurs when the walls inhibit the coal from flowing freely. Most coal will flow down the
center, while the remaining coal that has accumulated on the sides will linger stagnantly. Stagnant coal
can create a heat source. The key to reduce the likelihood of a bunker or silo fire is in the design.
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Diagram B
Three main suppressants dominate coal-fired power plants: water, CO2, foam and/or f500 solutions. It is
essential in coal dust-related bunker/silo fires to use a piercing rod or inerting system to smother the fire
at its source. In all other areas of a plant, various types of sprinkler systems will effectively suppress fires.
An integral part of finding a solution to fire protection is choosing a company with experience and
expertise to implement a comprehensive system. Fire protection providers must have the design
capability to plan custom solutions for site obstructions and plant nuances. Each fire susceptible location
of a plant must have a fixed sprinkler system that is designed specifically for that area. High value high
risk facilities are vastly more complicated than other industries; a fire protection solution provider should
be experienced in providing fire protection for plant environments to ensure solutions that are suitable
for the specific application. With proper housekeeping schedules, diligence, and fire suppression systems,
the safety of people, plant, and production is greatly increased.
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