Freeze Protection for Coal Handling Systems

Coal stored outdoors on the stockpile or delivered by unit train or barges picks up moisture from rain and snow. When this wet or frozen coal is conveyed, it inevitably comes into contact with the plate steel of the various hoppers and chutes within the coal handling system. During winter, this plate steel is below freezing for extended periods.

When wet or frozen coal encounters steel at sub freezing temperatures an instantaneous bond is formed. This bond causes immediate and often catastrophic blockage of the hopper and chutes. The bond and resultant blockage is so severe that pneumatic drilling equipment and explosives are often required to free up the system.

This problem, known as FLASH FREEZING, is extremely inconvenient and very costly. Several cases are documented where utility and industrial boilers have been shut down due to blocked conveying systems.

The document below describes effective electric heating systems for coal handling freeze protection.

Freeze Protection for Coal Handling Systems from Hotfoil EHS, Inc.