Stockpile homogenisation possibilities of the lignite produced from the mines of the ptolemais area, Greece

The homogenisation efficiency that can be achieved in the stockyards of the lignite mines located in the Ptolemais area was predicted based on a multi-parametric analysis carried out using a stockpile blending simulation model. According to this analysis, increased homogenisation efficiency can be achieved by increasing the stockpile capacity and number of layers formed during lignite stacking and by avoiding the combined use of the Windrow stacking and bench reclaiming techniques. The expected benefits resulting from the adaptation of this operating regime are: (i) the reduction of the electricity generation losses ensuing from the more stable and efficient operation of the thermal power units and (ii) the elimination of the supportive fuel quantities that must be added to lignite in order to meet the fuel specifications of respective thermal power plants.