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 plant located at P.O. Haldia Oil Refinery, Dist.: Purba Midnapore, West Bengal - 721606 which is presently involved in calcination of Petroleum Coke. The proposed expansion is envisaged within the same factory premises.
Electrically calcined anthracite coal or ECA coal is manufactured by heating high-grade anthracite coal to temperatures as high as 2000⁰C in a DC Electric Calciner obtaining a devolatized and semi-graphitized product.
ECA has a higher carbon content and relatively higher thermal and electrical conductivity than conventional anthracite coal. Calcining will be controlled to achieve a significant lower Electrical Resistivity (E.R.- 650 µΩm), ranging from 550µΩm to 750µΩm depends on market demand.
It is already mentioned that M/s. PCCL proposes revival of its old Carbon Electrode Paste Plant. Since, ECA is the main raw materials for manufacturing carbon electrode paste the company is proposing ECA making facility to integrate its proposed operation.
| Plant/Facility | Existing Capacity | Proposed Capacity | Ultimate Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrically Calcined Anthracite | NIL | 72,000 TPA(through 12 Furnaces) | 72,000 TPA (through 12 Furnaces) |
The company proposes ECA through 12 No. electric furnaces, and the process is referred to as ‘electro-calcination’. Electro-calcination is functionally similar to the traditional gas-fired method and produces a product that is largely indistinguishable, yet it is operated as a continuous process offering an inherent efficiency advantage over a regular gas furnace.
Modern electro-calcination plants utilise direct current over alternating current, as efficiencies are greater despite a power reduction of circa 20%.
One of the major advantages of electro-calcination is much easier control of heat, and a completely uniform heat distribution. This makes for a completely uniform calcined product, ready for further use.
M/s. PCCL proposes to produce Electrically Calcined Anthracite (ECA) in 12 Nos. vertical shaft furnaces under temperature of 1800 °C – 2200 °C, obtaining a devolatized and semi-graphitized product. Calcining will be controlled to achieve a significant lower Electrical Resistivity (E.R.) ranging from 550 to 750 depends on market demand.
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The project is currently under execution and expected to be commissioned during the current financial year. Apart from the main manufacturing equipment PCCL will also install suitable Air pollution Control devices to capture and control the possible fugitive emissions.