TVA tightening coal dust controlsJan 2 - Ed Marcum The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Tenn.TVA is developing a formal program for controlling combustible coal dust at its fossil plants and should reach all milestones in the effort later this year a TVA spokesman said this week. The program is in response to a report by the TVA Inspector General, which conducted site visits in August and September, 2012 and found more needed to be done to control coal dust, which in some areas had accumulated to levels that exceeded a 1/32 inch industry standard. The Inspector General's report issued a number of recommendations. "We are agreeing with the recommendations and complying with them. We are evaluating the status of coal units as well," Duncan Mansfield, TVA spokesman, said Monday. Coal dust suspended in the air in fine particles can be an explosive hazard. Ignition of this dust can produce an initial explosion that can stir other coal dust into the air and produce secondary explosions throughout the plant, according to the report. "Coal handling and fueling operations are inherently dusty, requiring the highest standard of housekeeping, equipment tightness, and electrical integrity," according to the report. TVA had begun to address coal dust issues the Inspector General found in a 2011 report, but funding for that effort was later eliminated. By the time of the 2012 report, coal handling equipment had deteriorated faster than funds were available to repair or replace it, according to the report. To deal with this, in fiscal year 2013 TVA has funded $17.4 million in improvements, Mansfield said. One recommendation is for TVA to develop a formal combustible dust program with certain bench marks. Mansfield said TVA has done this and will have it fully implemented by late 2014. Some actions include keeping chute doors closed while coal is transported, more frequent wash downs, sealing doors and equipment, improved lighting for spotting coal dust accumulations, and other measures, he said. |