Electrically Calcined Anthracite (ECA), is in great demand both domestically as well as in the international market. ECA is mostly used to produce Anode and other types of electrode. The major application areas of these products are Ferro Alloy Industry, Foundry, and Aluminum Smelters etc. Looking at the current and potential demand, M/s PCCL has decided to set up ECA facility within its existing Calcination & CPP/CPC plant located at P.O. Haldia Oil Refinery, which is presently involved in calcination of Petroleum Coke.
Electrically Calcined Anthracite (ECA) coal is produced by heating high-grade anthracite coal to temperatures as high as 2000°C in a DC electric calciner, resulting in a devolatilized and semi-graphitized product.
ECA has a higher carbon content and relatively greater thermal and electrical conductivity compared to conventional anthracite coal.
The company proposes to revive its old Carbon Electrode Paste Plant. Since ECA is the primary raw material for manufacturing carbon electrode paste, the company is also proposing to establish an ECA production facility to integrate with its proposed operations.
| Plant/Facility | Existing Capacity | Proposed Capacity | Ultimate Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrically Calcined Anthracite | NIL | 0.072 MTPA (through 12 Furnaces) | 0.072 MTPA (through 12 Furnaces) |
The process of electro-calcination is functionally similar to the traditional gas-fired method and produces a largely indistinguishable product. However, it operates as a continuous process, offering inherent efficiency advantages over conventional gas furnaces.
The company proposes to produce Electrically Calcined Anthracite (ECA) in 12 Nos. vertical shaft furnaces at temperatures ranging from 1800°C to 2200°C, resulting in a devolatilized and semi-graphitized product. The calcining process will be controlled to achieve significantly lower Electrical Resistivity (E.R.- 650 µΩm), ranging from 550 µΩm to 750 µΩm, depending on market demand.
The project is currently under execution and is expected to be commissioned within the current financial year. In addition to the main manufacturing equipment, the company will also install appropriate air pollution control devices to capture and manage potential fugitive emissions.
