Coal, Eurosilo makes it invisible

What are the benefits of the Eurosilo system?

The most significant benefit of using the Eurosilo Storage and Handling System in a coal fired power station is, first and foremost, efficient and flexible space utilization. But just as significant are the low operating and maintenance costs that the Eurosilo offers you. The system also enables you to obtain greater energy yields from your coal. Furthermore the Eurosilo system offers fully enclosed storage, which does away with unsightly open stockpiles and, more importantly, eliminates environmental pollution in a way that satisfies the requirements of Environmental Protection Agencies worldwide.

ESI Eurosilo has built coal silos all around the world in places such as the German cities of Bergisch-Gladbach and Hamburg; two coal silos for a power station project in Ackerman, Mississippi, USA, and four 62,500-m³ 'underground' coal silos for Helsinki Energy in Finland. Eurosilo was recently awarded a contract by the German firm Trianel to construct two 100,000-m³ coal storage silos at the company’s Lünen power plant, which is planned to enter operation by 2012.

Bird’s-eye view of Vattenfall power station	Side view of Helsinki underground coal storage

Efficient space utilization

Eurosilo requires considerably less space than any other storage system to store the same amount of material. The Eurosilo, for example, which can store material to a height of over 35 meters, requires less than 40% of the space required by open stockpiles to achieve an equivalent storage capacity.

Low operating and maintenance costs

Eurosilo systems maintain a high degree of equipment availability, which means less need for costly maintenance and less downtime. The complete handling and storage installation is remotely controlled, which eliminates the need for local operators and helps keep your operating costs to a minimum.

Inside view of coal silo	3D desigh of a 100,000 m3 Lünen coal silo

High safety standards

With pre-emptive and proactive safety measurements, the Eurosilo system meets very high standards for safety. The Eurosilo features monitoring of O2, CH4 and CO concentration, a nitrogen purging system in the silo floor, foam/gel canons for ‘sealing’ the coal surface and ventilators for venting silo air in the event of an accident. And, of course, all of the ATEX regulations are implemented as well in our Eurosilo design.

Flexibility

With the Eurosilo system, changing characteristics of the stored material do not affect the Eurosilo’s reclamation ability. For true flexibility, you can combine multiple silos, for example: one silo filling and another reclaiming; both silos filling or reclaiming or simultaneous filling and reclaiming. Using the Eurosilo’s adjustable out-feed rates, various grades of coal can be blended on the belt by means of flexible proportioning.
If a coal management system is also implemented, the entire coal logistical process can be monitored and controlled from purchasing to burning. In cooperation with German company Hauk & Sasko, a coal logistics program has been developed for storing coal in a Eurosilo.

Environmental safety

The proven Eurosilo system satisfies the requirements of Environmental Protection Agencies worldwide. Dust emissions from the silo are practically negligible, which helps avoid air pollution. The system also eliminates the problem of contamination of surrounding land by run-off from open outside stockpiles. Finally, Eurosilo prevents deterioration of material due to weather conditions such as frost and rain.