COAL BLENDING

Basically and from a fundamental view, all coal produced and utilised is in the form of a blend – whether it be at the macro or micro-level. We will review what is meant by coal blending and its various concepts and definitions, which is often not well understood and different between coal sellers and buyers. On completion of the course, participants will have an understanding of coal origin and types as well as physical and chemical properties. They will understand the good and the bad bits. We will introduce Sampling and Analysis Standards and techniques and inherent accuracy and precision of such tests and what constitutes a typical coal sale/purchase contract regarding the coal quality parameters.

They will also be aware of which properties are additive and non-additive when coals are blended and have a basic appreciation of evaluation criteria of candidate coals and proposed blends to be used in a power station. They will be introduced to the concept of exactly what constituents a blend, where and how blending can be carried out and limitations. Participants will also gain an understanding of the interaction of coal within a power station and with its various components of equipment, and different blending philosophies, limitations and review some practical case studies.

On completion of the course, participants will have an understanding of coal physical and chemical characteristics, be aware of which properties exhibit linear and non-linear behaviour when combined and have a basic appreciation of the activities involved in the evaluation of candidate coals and proposed blends.  From a practical point of view, participants will gain an understanding of the impacts of the blend on the power plant equipment items, from coal handling through the boiler to the dust collection plant.  Participants will gain an awareness of some of the theoretical characterisation techniques which are used to evaluate coal blends and have an overview of practical issues associated with the implementation of coal blending at a utility scale.

This training course will be valuable to participants who need a fundamental understanding of the rationale for and mechanics of coal blending.  The course is targeted at technical persons involved either with coal supply or coal utilisation, needing to gain an understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of coal blending.  Attendees may include:  utility coal procurement personnel, plant operations staff, plant engineers and operators, thermal coal marketing or customer support personnel, coal traders as well as infrastructure and logistics officials.

Since November 2012, Barry Isherwood has operated his own independent coal consultancy company, Carbon Connections Pty Ltd, providing services to both Australian and international companies in the fields of thermal coal utilisation, coal sampling and analysis, coal blending and clean coal technologies.

He commenced his career as a trainee Chemist in the coal industry in 1970, and following the completion of a number of courses including a Chemistry Certificate and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, he has remained active in the industry for over 45 years

He has worked fr a number of companies in a variety of roles. As Chief Chemist, he managed a medium sized coal sampling and analysis laboratory for Peko Wallsend for approximately 15 years. He then moved into the role of Group Manager, Coal Technology/Marketing Technical Support (CT/MTS) for companies through acquisitions including Oakbridge, Xstrata Coal and Glencore, for approximately 25 years.

In his last 10 years with Xstrata Coal, apart from his marketing support role, he was also involved in the areas of clean coal technologies and Carbon Capture and Storage research and projects. He has sat on numerous Boards, such as CCSD (Cooperative Research Centre for Coal in Sustainable Development), CO2CRC (Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies), CO2CRC (Otway) Pilot Projects, Callide OxyFuel Project, IEACCC, USA Futuregen Project, NIER (Newcastle University Institute for Energy and Resources, Macquarie University Science Advisory Board, World Coal Association Working Groups on Mercury as well as Emissions Performance Standards.

In his Group Manager, CT/MTS roles, he was involved in the blending of coals for both domestic and international markets, and has visited numerous power stations throughout SE Asia and around the world, attending test burns and advising on coal utilisation issues. He has also peer reviewed numerous publications from researchers as well as the recent IEACCC “Coal Blending” publication. He also co-chaired the Australian Coal Association Research Project (ACARP) Technical Market Support Committee for over 10 years.

This training course has a limited attendance for up to 20 participants only. Sessions commence at 9am on all days, with short intervals at 10.30am and 3.30pm respectively. Refreshments will be provided in the short intervals. Lunch will be provided at 12:30pm for 1 hour. Sessions will end at 5pm on all days.