PCI Coal Extraction

What is Pulverised Coal Injection (PCI) and how is it extracted?
PCI coal is a type of metallurgical coal that plays a crucial role in the steelmaking process. It is used as a supplementary source of carbon and heat in blast furnaces to facilitate the production of molten iron, which is then further processed into steel. PCI coal is finely ground and injected into the blast furnace in a powdered form, where it ignites and helps reduce iron ore into molten iron.
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Exact Civil Construction works with long term client Jellinbah Mining Pty Ltd, who extract PCI Coal at their Jellinbah Operations in Blackwater Queensland, and have delivered several projects for the Jellinbah Mine since 2016.

‍Exploration and Drilling
‍The process of extracting PCI coal begins with geological exploration to locate coal deposits suitable for PCI purposes. Drilling and sampling are conducted to determine the coal's quality and quantity. This step helps identify the most suitable coal seams for extraction.

Mining
‍Once the coal seams are identified, mining operations commence. The type of mining method used can vary, but underground mining is a common approach for extracting metallurgical coal. Longwall mining, room and pillar mining, or other methods may be employed, depending on the geology and depth of the coal seams.

Coal Extraction
‍After reaching the coal seam, miners extract the coal using various equipment such as continuous miners, shuttle cars, and conveyors. The extracted coal is typically a mix of clean coal and impurities, including rock and dirt.

Preparation and Crushing
‍The extracted coal is transported to a coal preparation plant (CPP) for processing. Here, the coal undergoes crushing and screening to reduce it to a smaller size. The crushing process ensures that the coal is finely ground, making it suitable for pulverisation and injection into the blast furnace.

Pulverisation
‍The finely crushed coal is further pulverized into a powdered form to create PCI coal. This step involves grinding the coal to a specific size, typically a few millimetres or smaller, depending on the blast furnace's requirements.

Quality Control
‍Quality control measures are essential to ensure that the PCI coal meets specific requirements for combustion and reactivity. Testing and analysis are conducted to assess the coal's properties, including its sulphur content, ash content, and reactivity.

Storage and Transport
‍Once the PCI coal is prepared, it is stored in silos or containers for ease of transport. Specialised equipment is used to inject the coal into the blast furnace as needed during the steelmaking process.

Pulverised Coal Injection
‍In the steelmaking process, PCI coal is pneumatically injected into the blast furnace through tuyeres (nozzles) in a controlled manner. It mixes with hot air and reacts with the iron ore, reducing it to molten iron while providing additional carbon and heat.

Pulverised Coal Injection is an effective way to optimise the use of metallurgical coal in the steelmaking process. It enhances the efficiency of blast furnaces and reduces the environmental impact of steel production by decreasing the need for coke, a traditional carbon source.
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Learn more at jellinbahmining.com.au