At the Power-Gen International conference in Orlando, Florida this week, the company said the PowerTreat portfolio could reduce material losses and mitigate fuel degradation stemming from oxidation, both of which could increase the value of the fuel coal at power plants.

It also has the ability to prevent fugitive dust emissions, permitting safer handling.

PowerTreat products introduced include the PowerTreat FD series, PowerTreat AD series and PowerTreat DA series.

PowerTreat FD products are foaming agents and produce a high expansion ratio foam to suppress dust at transfer points while also minimizing the addition of moisture to coal.

PowerTreat AD products are antioxidants and dust control binders that can be applied to coal headed for short-term storage piles, as technology helps to inhibit oxidation while also controlling dust.

PowerTreat DA products are dust control binders applied to coal sent to short-term or long-term storage.

“When coal is received at the power plant, a different set of material handling challenges arises, such as controlling fugitive dust without adding excessive amounts of water,” the company said.

“GE's PowerTreat technologies reduce oxidation – significantly lowering the risk of hot spots, smokers and spontaneous combustion – and reduce dusting by up to 90 per cent from unloading at the barge or railcar to the plant.”

GE Power and Water chemical and monitoring solutions – water and process technologies general manager John Schumann said the portfolio of products would provide utilities more flexibility in consumption and the ability to burn challenging coal while many were facing the challenges of meeting or exceeding environmental considerations.

“This new line of products improves the quality of coal, while reducing dust and minimizing hazardous conditions such as spontaneous combustion and hot spots," he said.

PowerTreat is part of GE's CoalPlus portfolio.