SAFE COAL UNLOADING AT TRACK HOPPER AND INCREASE

SAFETY FOR WORKMAN.

RANJAY KUMAR
Dy Manager (Loco & Wagon)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ITPS:

IB Thermal Power Station is one of the oldest power station in India with its capacity of 1740MW
(2x 210 MW) and two newly commissioned unit (2X660) situated in Village Banharpali,
Jharsuguda Odisha. The station has set up high standards in power scenario despite crossing 25
years and become a benchmarking Station in the country. The project was embraced by the OPGC
(Odisha Power Generation Corporation) on November 14, 1995,. The main raw material i.e. Coal
is being received from MCL through Rail rake system. MGR system consists of 2 No. WDM2A ,
with total track length 40.5 ETKM, and at Plant end CHP including track-hopper with BOBR rake
unloading system. Long term partnerships have been established with M/s MCL one of the
subsidiary of Coal India Ltd for Coal Supply Agreement for coal transportation from MCL
coalfield.

CHALLENGES IN COAL UNLOADING IN TRACK HOPPER:

Many industrialized countries are planning long-term exit strategies for coal-fired power
generation in order to meet the challenges posed by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, coal will
remain one of the most important sources of energy for the foreseeable future to meet peak load
demand in addition to renewable & other sources of energy. The development of new technologies
for the handling of coal can thus contribute to making the use of coal more efficient and
sustainable.

Similarly all are also facing problem in track hopper while unloading of coal, worker are climbing
on the wagon for the unloading process / or may walk on the track hopper which is totally unsafe
for them. We have identify some problems /challenges during unloading of coal from wagons some
are mention below:-

1. Risk of manpower movement along the track hopper

2. Climbing on wagon/traveling over track hopper
3. Increase unloading time
4. Slip and Trip during unloading
5. Regular House keeping
6. Low Vision for Unloading
MODIFICATION ATTENDEND AT ITPS TRACK HOPPER:

To considering above challenges and safety concern of manpower developed for unloading of
Coal we have constructed a permanent platform which make easy approach for workman to
operate the spool valve and become good walk way for easy and safe operation of door opening
procedure . (photo attached )
After Installation of Coal unloading platform we have overcome all the challenges Like
Climbing on wagon/traveling over track hopper, slip and trip during unloading, Risk of
manpower movement during unloading etc. which are prevailing during unloading of coal at
track hopper before platform.

BENEFITS OF COAL UNLOADING PLATFORM

After implementation of Coal Unloading platform we have reduce unloading time along with
increase the safety of manpower deployed at Track Hopper.