Question

Which of the following is NOT the reason why mechanical handling of coal is preferred over manual handling in a steam power plant?
1. Can be easily started and can be economically adjusted according to the need.
2. Less labour is required.
3. Operation is easy and smooth.
4. Capital cost of the preferred handling system is low.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Capital cost of the preferred handling system is low.

Coal  Handling System:

• Due to the continuously increasing demand for power at lower cost, it has become necessary to set up higher capacity thermal power stations.
• The rise in capacity of these plants pose problems in the coal supply system from the coal mines to the power station and then during its internal handling.
• The transportation, loading, unloading, storage and processing of huge coal from mines to the plant and also within the plant are the major problems.
• When designing a power station careful thought should be given to the coal system including the design and layout of the individual units.
   

A good handling system should have the following objectives:

• Minimum handling
• Facilitate in the power generation process
• Flexibility in the arrangement i.e. can be easily started and can be economically adjusted according to the need. 
• Maximum utilization of equipment
• Maximum utilization of space
• Efficient utilization of manpower
• Care for employee safety and convenience
• Reduced integral transport
• Easy to supervise
• Minimum production delays and back-tracking. 

Advantages of mechanical handling as compared to manual handling are:

• It is economical, the operation is easy and smooth.
• It is reliable, lesser manpower is required.
• Improved working conditions.
• Minimum labour required on unhealthy working conditions.
   

• Coal can be handled manually or mechanically. Manual handling is not possible for modern plants. all the modern plants are employing mechanical handling. Large plants use larger size equipment, while small plants use smaller size equipment for mechanical handling.
• The initial investment is higher in the mechanical handling process because heavy machinery is required for various tasks.