May, 2005, Montgomery, IL – With demand rising for PRB Coal due to its cost-efficiency and lower-sulfur content, Benetech, Inc. has emerged as the national industry expert on safely converting bituminous coal yards to PRB coal-burning operations.

“There are many factors to consider when safely converting to PRB coal. This includes managing the different combustion properties, best-practice methods for transferring and stockpiling the coal, implementing the right equipment to control dust, and training coal yard operators to run and manage each step of the process,” said Joe Pieters, Director of Benetech’s P2 (Plant Professionals) division. “We serve as the coal yard’s transition consultant to help identify all necessary steps, and to formalize documentation and procedures during the conversion.”

While PRB coal offers the advantages of being more cost-effective and environmentally safe, it does present its own challenges such as its propensity to spontaneously combust. It also generates a finer and much higher volume of dust. These issues must be addressed before conversion takes place. 

Added Randy Rahm, Past Chairman of the PRB Users Group at the Group’s annual meeting in Chicago (April 2005), "I am pleased to see a company step up and structure an organization to deliver programs that focus on the safe and productive handling of PRB Coal. Benetech's CEO, Ron Pircon, has listened to the demands of the market and has responded with Benetech’s P2, a group of experienced utility operators who have been focused on these important issues for most of their careers. The PRB Coal Users’ Group thanks Benetech for hearing the message and responding".

Benetech helps ensure that coal yards make the conversion in a safe and manageable fashion.

Included in Benetech’s conversion consulting services:

• A combustion test to assess the ability of the coal yard to safely burn PRB coal.
  
  
• A full and thorough assessment of the entire physical plant and coal yard operations.
  
  
• Recommendations that identify all necessary steps to transition to a safe-running PRB coal operation. 
  
  
• Recommendations for equipment/technology upgrades to help streamline coal yard operations, with specific focus on PRB-compatibility.
  
  
• Documentation of formal procedures for running the new operation.
  
  
• Training at the front-end and throughout the process to ensure that all coal yard personnel understand the adjustments that will be made to their areas of responsibility.
  
  
• A contractor training program and a revised hot work procedure for the coal yard area.

Benetech, Inc., established in 1983, is a full-service coal yard solutions provider serving the coal-fired electric power generation industry.  Benetech works as a professional advisor to utility plants to recommend and develop ways to increase efficiency and reduce O&M costs while providing a full range of products and services relating to the safe storage, transfer and processing of coal. For more information on Benetech solutions, call Janet Zec at 630.844.1300, ext. 217, Customer Service at 800.843.2625.

Back to News