Coal Based Power Project III for Pakistan 2007.pdf

7/28/2019 Coal Based Power Project III for Pakistan 2007.pdf

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IAR 71 Coal/Power-III Sep 1-15, 2007

INDUSTRIAL ADVISORY REPORTS

IARReport # 71 Sep1-15,2007

COAL BASED POWER PROJECT - III

H I G H L I G H T S

zzzzz Du e to hi gh cost of i mported energy

government has decided to enhance the

share of coal from 5 to 19 percent by 2030.

zzzzz Energy Secur ity Action Plan has set a target

of generati ng 20,000 MW power from coalby 2030 and 50 percent by 2050.

zzzzz Pakistani i ndustry is largely based on Gas

as fuel and its reser ves are dwindli ng

rapidly.

zzzzz Pakistan has the 7th largest coal r eserve

among the top 20 countri es in the world.

zzzzz The Sindh Coal Author ity has decided to

carr y out a hydrological study to explore

underground or sur face water r esour ces

requi red in abundance for coal min ing andhuman consumption.

WLL: 021-5458129

Coal ReservesThe coal deposits in Pakistan was known before

independence, but its economic value was highlighted

in 1980, when large reserves of coal were discovered

in the Lakhra and Sonda, Tharparkar District of Sindh

Province. These reserves spread over an area of

10,000 sq km. This discovery has provided a quantum

increase in the coal resources of Pakistan and made

the country having the 7th largest coal reserve among

the top 20 countries in the world.

The reserves were discovered by Geological

Survey of Pakistan and US Geological Survey with

the financial support of USAID.

Coal is found in all four provinces of Pakistan

but especial emphasis is being given on utilization of

reserves of Thar coalfield. In the Sindh province coalresources estimated at 175 billion ton. Due to high

cost of imported energy government has decided to

enhance the share of coal in the overall energy mix

from 5 to 19 percent by 2030.

Energy Security Action Plan has set a target of

generating 20,000 MW power from coal by 2030

and 50 percent by 2050. Total national coal

production, from operational coal mines, increased

by 6.5 percent from 4.6 million ton in 2005-06 to

4.9 million ton in 2006-07. Presently, over 80 percentof coal is consumed by the brick kiln industry

reducing the supply available for power generation.

Approximately 80 percent of cement industry has

switched over to coal from furnace oil that has saved

considerable foreign exchange being spent on the

import of furnace oil.

The conversion of cement industry from furnace

oil to coal has generated a demand for 2.5 to 3.0

million ton coal per annum. But these units are mainlyusing imported coal. Table-1 shows field wiseproduction of coal during 2000-06. During the 6 yearsaverage increase in import of coal was 24.5 percent,which is quite height, table-3. In the same yearsaverage production of indigenous coal in Balochistanincreased 3.2 percent, Punjab 7.4 percent, Sindh 15.5percent and NWFP/Fata 51.2 percent. The total

increase has been 9.5 percent.

To ascertain commercial viability of coal mining

from Thar, German consultant M/s RheinbraunEngineering has done a detailed mining feasibility onblock-1 in Thar coalfield. The same block is aimedfor commissioning of integrated coal mining and 1000

MW power generation project first given tointernational Chinesefirm and now to Hasan

Associates for conducting feasibility study for


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IAR - 8 -- 2 -

Table - 1

Production of Coal by Field

Province/Field 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 ACGR

BALUCHISTAN

Sor Range 154,598 140,028 167,252 145,039 129,172 122,417 -4.6%

Degari 50,954 44,811 62,993 58,558 55,966 47,257 -1.5%

Sharigh 111,391 123,330 157,724 167,128 197,677 265,804 19.0%

Sinjidi 202,543 199,744 196,115 161,410 128,895 121,413 -9.7%

Mach 239,653 228,821 219,649 188,473 302,939 307,539 5.1%

Harnia-Khost-Nasaka-

Zardalu 116,076 136,143 55,608 124,639 143,736 169,086 7.8%

Duki 311,977 382,172 420,929 417,726 436,222 531,929 11.3%

Pir Ismail Ziarat 421,980 440,794 359,890 325,051 350,116 366,090 -2.8%

Abegum 62,513 69,246 69,236 57,730 63,576 27,380 -15.2%

Barkhan/Chamalong 1,545 17,457

Sub-Total 1,673,230 1,742,546 1,709,396 1,645,748 1,808,299 1,958,915 3.2%

PUNJAB

Marerwal/Salt Range 401,346 505,371 502,326 535,066 544,326 573,684 7.4%

Sub-total 401,346 505,371 502,326 535,066 544,326 573,684 7.4%

SINDH

Lakhra 970,738 1,006,715 1,031,129 900,613 - - -

Jhimpir 7,802 14,865 15,537 10,486 - - -

Sub-Total 978,540 1,021,80 1,046,666 911,099 2,000,000 2,010,000 15.5%

NWFP/FATA

Makerwal/Gulakhel

/Kohat, FATA 41,536 58,539 53,198 183,571 234,000 328,560 51.2%

Sub-Total 41,536 58,539 53,198 183,571 234,000 328,560 51.2%

Total: Ton 3,094,652 3,328,036 3,311586 3,175,484 4,586,625 4,871,159 9.5%

TOE 1,384,547 1,488,963 1,481,604 1,465,452 2,052,056 2,179,357

Field-wise breakup not available

Source: DG (Minerals), Provincial Directorates of Mineral Development


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IARTable - 2

Coal Resources of Pakistan

(Million ton)

Province/Coal field Measured Indicated Inferred Hypothetic Total

SINDH

Thar 3,407 10,323 81,725 80,051 175,506

Lakhra 244 629 455 - 1,328

Jherruck 106 310 907 - 1,323

Sonda-Thatta 60 511 2197 932 3,700

Others 82 303 1881 - 2,266

Sub-Total 3,899 12,076 87,165 80,983 184,123

BALOCHISTANSor-Rangee/Degari 15 - 19 16 50

Duki 14 11 25 - 50

Khost-Sharig-Harnai 13 - 63 - 76

Mach-Abegum 09 - 14 - 23

Pir Ismail Ziarat 2 2 8 - 12

Chamalong 1 - 5 - 6

Sub Total 54 13 134 16 217

PUNJAB

Central Salt Range 29 - - - -Eastern Salt Range 21 16 02 145 235

Makerwal 05 08 09 - -

Sub Total 55 24 11 145 235

Grand Total 4,008 12,113 87,189 81,144 184,575

Table - 3

Import of Coal

Unit 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 ACGR Ton 950,000 1,080,584 1,578,169 2,789,238 3,307,168 2,842,829 24.5%

TOE 625,005 710,916 1,038,277 1,835,040 2,175,786 1,870,297

Import value

of import -0.70% 13.75% 46.05% 76.74% 18.57% -14504%

Including coal imported by Pak Steel for use as coke.

Include 48,356 ton of metallurgical coke imported by Pak steel.

Source: Federal Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation.

- 3 -


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IAR- 4 -

integrated coal mining and commissioning coal fired

power-generating plant. Government has also

established a coal mining company for harnessing Thar

coal resource.

Projected Coal RequirementsIt is expected from the facts bellow that coal

use in future will increase due to:

zzzzz Pakistani industry is largely based on Gas as

fuel and its reserves are dwindling rapidly.

zzzzz Gas prices have increased in the last two

years by nearly 40 percent.

zzzzz Gas availability will be reduced from 2009and hence many industries would have to be

converted on coal.

Potential Users of Coalzzzzz Power Plants: It is projected that power

projects in Vinder and other areas will start importing

coal from 2007. About 7 projects are expected to

commence consuming over 1,200,000MT coal per

annum.

zzzzz Hasan Associates project is also based on

Thar coal mine.

zzzzz Sugar Mills: Some sugar mills are

contemplating of conversion to coal firing. After their

conversion the consumption would increase by

500,000 MT per year.

zzzzz Solvent Extraction Plants: Many edible oil

producing units are studying to convert their plants

on coal firing, presently based on gas or gas fired

generators.zzzzz Textile Mills: Some mills areconsidering

conversion on coal as reliability of gas supply beyond

2009 is not sure.

As a part of promotional activities to increase

share of coal, the Government of Sindh has leased

out a coal block to M/s Fatteh Group of Hyderabad

to commission a coal-based power plant of 250 MW

in Lakhra coalfield. Government has signed an

agreement with Chinese company M/s China National

Chemical Engineering Group Corporation (CNCEC)

to conduct feasibility study on a coal block in Sonda

Jerrick coalfields in Sindh.

US Firm Starts $5 Billion Methane Gas ProjectA US company, Soneri, has started work on

$5 billion project for discovery of coal-bed methane

gas under the layers of coal reserves in Sindh.

According the details, Sindh cabinet on

December 24, 2006 gave approval, in principle, to

an agreement for exploration of methane gas in coal

reserves in the province, according to Sindh Mines

& Mineral Development Department.

An MoU was signed with Soneri on November

27, 2006 during the US visit of President Pervez

Musharraf.

The company started survey of coal reserves

for which special aircraft of Marine Corps of United

States were used as traditional aircraft could not

determine the availability of methane gas. The

company would drill 400 to 600 holes at every coal

reserve which would then be connected through

modern system.

In the first phase, the company has planned tomake investment of $5 billion. At present, there existsno law with regard to gas discovery. Therefore, Sindhgovernment has made some rules. However, beforetheir enforcement, the provincial cabinet would carryout scrutiny so that no legal hitch remains in the project.

In this regard a committee has been formedcomprising Secretaries of Law, Mines and MineralDevelopment, Finance and Industries, which has beendirected to carry out vetting of the rules and submit

its report.

According to an estimate, there are 25 trillioncubic feet methane gas reserves in the province.Thisgas can be used as piped, and also be converted intopetrol or diesel and used in the production ofchemicals.

The company would be responsible to bring inentire equipment for gas exploration, and Sindhgovernment could levy excise and other taxes, which

previously was the subject of federal government.


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IAR- 5 -

Table - 4

Total Estimated Coal Consumption

(MT)

Cement Mills 5,000,000

Brick Kilns 2,500,000

Sugar Mills 1,200,000

Power Plants 3,000,000

Textile Mills 500,000

Chemical & Others 1,000,000

Solvent and Others 600,000

Total 14,000,000

Table - 5

Coal Purchased from the Countries

2002 to 2006

Country %

South Africa 24

China 24

Indonesia 50

Australia 1

Russia 1

Source: Private Importer

Table - 6

Coal Supply

(000 ton)

Year Imports Production

1990-91 917 3,054

1991-92 1,069 3,099

1992-93 994 3,266

1993-94 1,094 3,534

1994-95 1,096 3,043

1995-96 1,080 3,638

1996-97 840 3,553

1997-98 960 3,159

1998-99 910 3,461

1999-00 957 3,168

2000-01 950 3,095

2001-02 1,081 3,328

2002-03 1,578 3,312

2003-04 2,789 3,275

2004-05 3,307 4,587

2005-06 2,384 4,871

2007* 3,800 -

2008* 4,250 -

Jul-Mar

2005-06 1,700 2,500

2006-07 2,825 2,589

*Estimated

Source: Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan

(HDIP) and Economic Survey 2006-07.


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IAR- 6 -

Table-7

Consump

tionofCoalbySector

(Unitton)

Sector

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

ACGR

Domestic

998

1,069

1,111

1,047

-

-

-

447

478

497

468

Brick-KilnIndustry

2,837,872

2,577,546

2,606,852

2,589,445

3,906,738

4,211,825

8.3%

1,269,664

1,153,194

1,166,305

1,158,518

1,747,875

1,888,845

Cement/OtherIndustry

50,000

663,584

957,169

2,508,238

2,535,168

2,778,379

123.3%

22,370

331,322

524,471

1,544,920

1,562,637

1,722,646

PakSteel

950,000

917,000

1,121,000

781,000

1,272,000

564,450

-9.9%

625,005

603,294

737,506

513,820

836,649

371,352

Power(WAPDA)

205,782

294,421

203,623

184,992

179,887

149,334

-6.2%

92,067

111,591

91,101

82,765

80,481

66,812

Total:Ton

4,044,652

4,408,620

4,889,755

6,064,722

7,893,793

7,713,988

13.8%

TOE

2,009,552

2,199,880

2,519,881

3,300,491

4,227,842

4,049,654

Annualgrowthrate

-1.94%

9.00%

10.91%

24.03%

30.16%

-2.28%

Note:Sectoralconsumptiondataofc

oalismostlynotavailable,exceptforpowersectorandhas,therefore,beene

stimated.

Estimatedbydeducingotherusesof

indigenouscoalfromthetotalproduction.

Includingindigenousaswellasimpo

tedcoal.

Importedcoal/cokeusedascokeinP

akSteel.

Source:CementFactories.D

G(Minerals),F

BS,PakSteel,PMDC,W

APDA


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IAR- 7 -

Table - 9

Comparative Transport Cost of Gas,

Furnace Oil and Imported Coal

in US$ 15.00 PMT

Cost per KCAL of South Africa

Coal at US$ 60.00 CNF Rs 1.08 per KCAL

Gas price per

KCAL at revised tariff Rs 1.18 per KCAL

Furnace Oil per KCAL Rs 1.80 per KCAL

To speedup work on coal mining in Sindh the

Federal Government has set up a Thar coal mining

company to make use of vast reserves for power

generation. The federal government will bear 80

percent of the cost while the rest will be covered by

the Sindh government. The company would undertake

mining projects for power generation, which is

presently headed by additional secretary petroleum.

After two foreign companies, a US and a

Chinese, withdrew from coal mining in Thar, the

Federal Government has decided to undertake the

mining and power generation projects by itself to meet

the future energy needs of the country. The companies

withdrew because of problems related to shortage

of surface water in the area and tariff dispute with

Wapda.

The 175 billion tons of total coal deposits in Thar

have been divided into six mining blocks. With a view

to set up coal-fired plants the lease has been granted

to two local firms, Hassan Associates and Associated

Group.

The Sindh Coal Authority has decided to carry

out a hydrological study to explore underground or

surface water resources required in abundance for

Table - 8

Coal Imported by Sea Trade Group (the main importer of coal)

2002-2006

(Ton)

Country 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 (estd)

South Africa 405,675 393,498 80,000 312,400 450,000

Indonesia 87,998 330,930 611,000 1,213,000 1,500,000

Chinese Nil 164,882 844,000 431,000 400,000

Australia Nil Nil Nil Nil 80,000

Total 581,671 889,250 1,535,000 1,956,400 2,430,000


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IAR- 8 -

Figure - 2

Coal Consumption

Total 4.05 Million Ton

2000-01

Figure - 1

Sector-wise Coal Consumption

Total 7.71 Million Ton

2005-06


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IAR- 9 -

coal mining and human consumption. The ministry

has reserved the entire coal deposits in Thar for power

generation and miners are restricted to sell the coal

in the local market.

The ADB has initially allocated a sum of $5

million for carrying out studies in the Thar coal area

producing electricity and has asked the Sindh ministry

of minerals to submit schemes eligible for banks

financing. The amount will further be increased, when

the ministry submits detailed schemes for the

development and mining of coal deposits.

The ministry has, so far, signed eight MoUs with

the private sector companies, including a Chinese firm

for mining coal for setting up power plants in the

province.

However, the success of these projects would

depend on the tariff offered by Wapda to these

companies for the purchase of power, water

availability and security of foreigners working here.

As oil prices are increasing in the world market

it seems that in future coal would be the principalsource of energy, all over the world as well as in

Pakistan.

In 1992, as the news of Thar coal reserves

spread globally, a number of foreign and local

investors showed interest in the exploitation of Thar

coal resources for power generation. In response to

the Energy Policy, Consolidated Electric Power Asia

Ltd of Hong Kong signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) for developing a 1,425 MWcapacity integrated power project based on Thar

coal, but could not be materialized. However, related

activities on the part of the government continued and

it formulated a liberal Policy and a favorable

atmosphere for power generation for using indigenous

coal.

A coal exploration project to demarcate at least

four specific tracs/blocks, through close spaced

drilling was finalized by GSP. The project was aimed

to explore and evaluate coal resources in four blocks

consisting of about 50 sq km each in Thar area for

power generation.

Setting coal-based power projects exploiting

large Thar coal reserves has especial significance in

the present energy scenario, because they would

reduce countrys dependence on imported furnace

oil, besides providing cheaper electricity.

Coal Consumption

Presently, Coal is being used only 1.9 percentfor power generation in Pakistan compared to 90

percent in Poland, 77 percent in China, 58 percent

in Germany, 54 percent in India, 50 percent in

Australia and 38 percent in Russia, figure - 1 and 2.

Thar Coal Reserves

The 175 billion ton coal reserves of Thar

coalfields are spread over an area of 9,000 to 10,000

square kilometers that has been divided into four

blocks of coal demarcation for administrative and

logistic purposes.

The presence of coal in Thar was first indicated

in the drilling for fresh water by British Overseas

Agency (BOA) in 1988 near the village of Khario

Ghulam Shah, about 15 km east of Islamkot. This

lead to a modest 4 bore hole coal test drilling

programme by GSP/USGS, which confirmed thepresence of the thickest coal beds, yet found in

Pakistan, with a maximum thickness of 30 meters of

coal.

Another 10 test holes were drilled by John

T.Boyd, under a contract, by the end of 1993 for

getting data for determination of mining engineering

parameters. GSP/USGS drilled 3 additional bore

holes in January, 1994.


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IAR- 10 -

Table-10

TharCoalReserves/Resources

aso

nJune30,

2006

Specific

Reserves/Reserves(MillionTon)

Block/Field

Area(Sq.km)

DrillHoles

Measure

Indicated

Inferred

Hypothetical

Total

Resources

Resources

Resources

Block-I(Sinhar

Vikian-Varvia)

122.0

41

620

1,918

1,028

-

3,566

Block-II

(SingharoBhitro)

55.0

43

640

944

-

-

1,584

BlockIII

(SalehJoTar)

99.5

41

411

1,337

258

-

2,006

BlockIV

(SonalBa)

80.0

42

637

1,640

282

-

2,559

Sub-Total

(BlockI-IV)

356.5

167

2,308

5,839

1,568

-

9,715

RestofThar

coalfield

8,643.5

50

392

3,556

49,138

112,705

165,791

Total(Thar

coalField)

9,000.0

217

2,700

9,395

50,706

112,705

175,506

MineableReserves:

60%ofMeasuredReserves

MeasuredReserves:

Havingahighdegreeofgeologica

lassurance,coallieswithinaradiusof0.4kmfromapointofcoalm

easurement.

IndicatedReserves:

Havingamoderatedegreeofgeologicalassurance,coallieswithinaradiusof0.4kmto1.2kmfromapointof

coalmeasurement.

InferredReserves:

Havingalowdegreeofgeologicalassurance,coallieswithinaradiusof1.2to4.8kmfromapointof

coalmea-

surement.

HypotheticalResources:

Undiscoveredcoalresources,generallyextensionofinferredinwhichcoalliesbeyond4.8kmfromapointofcoal

measurement.

Source:GeologicalSurveyofP

akistan.


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IAR- 11 -

Location

The Sinhar Vikian-Varvai Block is situated about

15 km east of Islamkot, which is 45 km west of Mithi,

a town on Mirpur Khas-Nagar Parkar route, in TharDesert of Sindh Province. The Thar Desert of

Pakistan is a part of much larger desert extending to

the north and east into India and is bounded on the

west by Indus River flood plains.

Accessibility

The area is accessible by metalled road from

Karachi up to Mithi, via Hyderabad Mirpur Khas

Naukot and via Thatta Badin Naukot at an

approximate distance of 410 km. From Mithi onward

there are sandy tracks to be covered by 4x4 wheelers.

The rail link from Hyderabad is up to Naukot about

50 km, from Mithi.

Quality

The studies confirmed that the Thar Coalfield

has lignite B in rank with an average heating value of

5333 Btu/lb having 1.57 percent sulphur, and 8.83

percent ash. Average moisture is 48.57 percent. The

shallowest coal is at a depth of 137.04 meter, while

the deepest is at 244 meters. The age of Thar coal

ranges from Paleocene to Eocene.

Initially, the 50 sq.km area of first block was

selected in Sinhar Vikian-Varvai for drilling of close

spaced holes. The work was started during the monthof July, 1994 and completed in June, 1995. During

this period a total number of 41 bore holes, 29 cored

and 12 non-cored, were drilled with an average depth

of 250 meters per hole. Out of the total 29 cored

bore holes average of 80 meters the upper part was

non-cored holes and rest was cored. In the upper

non coring part representative samples were collected

after every 3 meter interval.

The cumulative drilling was 9674.63 m. Another

12 non-cored bore holes were drilled by a private

contractor with an average depth of 250m.

Figure - 3

Per Capita Availability

(TOE)

Coal quality is determined through chemicalanalysis as well as petrographical studies. The

chemical studies were based on the proximate analysis

as well as Btu/Lb values and sulphur percentages.

The petrographic studies were undertaken to find out

the maceral percentages of coal. Very low strength

materials comprise the strata in southern Thar

coalfield.

Geotechnically they can be classified as very stiff

soil. Principles of soil mechanics can be applied in

the slope stability analysis because of the absence of

any geological discontinuity in the strata except the

presence of thin horizontal bedding planes. Top sand

cover (extending up to more or less 60 meter below

the surface) and the presence of the incompetent

layers of uncemented sand and clay shale in the strata

call for careful analysis of stability and design for

excavation.


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IAR- 12 -

Computation of Coal Reserves

For calculating Measured and Indicated

reserves reliability circles are drawn with 0.4 and 1.2

km. radio respectively Measured reserves aroundeach drill hole was calculated separately.

The Indicated reserves areas of all the drill holes

overlap the adjoining drill hole areas, due to close

spaced drilling. Indicated reserves were computed

by multiplying total indicated resources area with the

average of cumulative thickness of coal the specific

gravity. The overlapping part of the Measured and

Indicated categories were divided into two halves

and the overlapping area calculated by graphicmethod.

The Inferred reserves were computed on the

basis of the total area of the block and then subtracting

the area covered by the Measured and Indicated

reserves categories. Average specific gravity of the

coal and average of the cumulative thickness were

used for the purpose of reserve computation.

Description of Reserves

The total estimated coal reserves of all categories

of this block are 3.56 billion ton. The breakup of

different categories of reserve is as under;

1. Measured Reserves 620.42 million ton

2. Indicated Reserves 1918.06 million ton

3. Inferred Reserves 1028.43 million ton

The Indicated reserves are 1918 million metric

ton covering an area about 65.7796sq.km, while the

Inferred reserves are 1028 million metric ton

covering an area of about 35.27sq.km. The

parameter for the computation of Indicated and

Inferred reserves are different from the Measured

reserves. In this case, average cumulative coal

thickness of the drill holes have been used rather than

coal bed wise.

Coal Chemistry

The chemical and pictographically

characterization of coal of Sinhar Vikian-Varvai is

based on the samples of coal of four bore holes.

Heating Values

The average heating values of Thar coals is 5333

Btu/lb and the coal is Lignite B in rank according

to ASTM standards, indicates report of IJSGS 1994.

The available heating values of Sinhar Vikian-Varvai

block-I are slightly higher than the general Thar coal

and falls in range of Lignite A - H. However, as

received values are more important in the sense that

the coal is used as dug out from the ground. The

heating value based on MMM Free (moist, mineral

matter free) of Thar coalfield are on the average,

5747 Btu/lb and those of Sinhar Vikian-Varvai Block

are 6866 Btu/lb.

Ash

The average value of ash in Thar coalfield isaround 8.83 percent. This shows incombustible

inorganic residue when coal is burnt and represents

the bulk of mineral matter after the volatile

compounds arc driven off (CO2, 0

2and H

2O). Coals

with high ash contents are generally less suitable for

utilization. The ash content is approximately 8.17

percent which is not much different than the overall

average of the coal field. However, generally the ash

content is less in the thick coal seams which is a

redeeming factor.

Fixed Carbon

Fixed carbon is not determined directly but is

simply the difference between the sum of other

components (moisture, volatile matter, ash) and 100

percent of an air dried coal. Fixed carbon content is

used as an index of yield of coke on carbonization.


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IAR- 13 -

The fixed carbon of Sinhar Vikian-Varvai block

ranges from 18.72 to 21.38 percent, on as received

basis while the average value reported, on as

determined basis, is around 20.38 percent.

Volatile MatterThis is the component of coal minus the moisture

which is liberated at high temperature in the absence

of air. It can be liberated either from organic matter

or mineral impurities and this difference should not

be overlooked. The weighted average of volatile

matter in Sinhar Vikian-Varvai block received basis

is 31.15 percent.

MoistureThe moisture can be surface moisture,

hydroscopic moisture decomposition moisture or in

the form of mineral moisture. The weighted average

of moisture in Thar coalfield is around 48.57 percent

which is almost half of the coal weight. The distribution

of moisture pattern is random. In the Sinhar Vikian-

Varvai block the average moisture content, on asreceived basis, is 40.10% which is slightly less than

the average value of the general coalfield.

As the coal classification progresses the contents

of oxygen and hydrogen are reduced and carbon is

increased they can be used as rank indicators. Except

nitrogen the other elements i.e. oxygen, hydrogen and

sulphur are also found in the mineral matter contents

of coal beds, hydrogen and oxygen are also liberated

from the moisture contents.The percentage of nitrogen is important to

indicate the pollution possibility of coal on

combustion.

SulphurSulphur can occur as organic sulphur in the

hydrocarbon compounds of the coal, as sulphide

minerals such as pyrite etc., or in the form of calcium

sulphate. The total sulphur contents in the Sinhar

Vikian-Varvai coal are reasonably low. Sulphur is used

as a pollution indicator. Sulphur can give rise to

erosion and damage boiler besides causingatmospheric pollution. The weighted average sulphur

content of analysed bore holes in the investigated

block on as received basis is 1.37 percent.

However, no definite pattern of sulphur constant

is observed in Thar area but in the thickest beds the

sulphur content is on the lower side. The sulphur

contents in Lakhra and Sonda area are generally

higher than the Thar area. In Lakhra the total sulphur

contents range from 2 to 7 percent and in Sonda-

Thatta area from 0.05 to 5.00 percent and they are

generally comparable.

Coal Petrography

Coal petrography is a comparatively recent field

of science which characterizes the coal quantitatively

with the help of microscope to predict its behaviour.

These scientific studies were not adopted in the

characterization of Pakistans coal resources till 1988.

Therefore, it is desirable to introduce the basic

concepts and approach with reference to Sindh coal,

especially coals of Thar area. The basic purpose of

coal characterization thorough petrology/petrography

is necessary to describe its constituents, to determine

its properties and interpret its occurrence and

environments of deposition.

Coal macerals are classified into three groups

on the basis of their morphology and physical and

chemical characteristics. These groups are; (a)

Vitrinitc, (b) Inertinile, (c) Litinits. The classification

for hard coals (bituminous) and soft/brown coal

(lignite to sub-bituminous) is different but the main

difference is in the Vitrinite group. In brown coals it

is called Huminite group a precursor ofvitrcimte. The

brown coals are mostly ofCenozoic age and formed

by angiosperm plants. The hard coals are mostly of

Paleozoic age and formed by gymnospcrm plants.

Documents

Coal Based Power Project III for Pakistan 2007.pdf