Fortune 500 Power Company
Coal Blending System
Salas O’Brien provided engineering, project management, equipment supply, and field support for the configuration of a new coal blending system at this client’s power generation station. Our work successfully integrated new and existing systems and infrastructure, saved on costs, and met the client’s key goals for the project.
Our client
This Fortune 500 Power Company provides power generation, transmission, and distribution for more than five million customers across the nation. Their aim is to support businesses, commerce, and communities through reliable service and solutions.
Project highlights
Their challenge
This recurring Salas O’Brien client engaged our engineering expertise during an expansion and modification to a coal handling system at one of their power generation stations. Our part of the project involved configuration of a new coal blending system that would integrate eastern and Colorado coals. The new system needed to occupy the same space as its predecessor, and the client needed to maintain coal yard and plant operations during the fast-tracked design and construction schedule.
Our solution
Our team’s engineering services for this project included foundation and structural design, as well as design for the mechanical, electrical, fire alarm, dust suppression, and control systems. This included retrofit of an existing motor control center (MCC) and starter that powered the original conveyor; an evaluation of and adjustments to the existing power distribution systems; and modification and integration of existing reclaim hoppers and conveyors. Our designs also specified a new, longer stockout conveyor system with a hot-standby Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) that interfaces with existing relay logic. In addition to this engineering design work, our team also provided project management, multi-discipline CAD design, construction drawing preparation, equipment supply, field support, and as-built drawings.
Salas O’Brien’s work on this project exceeded the client’s expectations—design and construction were completed within nine months, and our successful integration of existing equipment with newly installed systems saved the client money while ensuring safe and efficient operations.
