The new technology ensures only the best coal product is delivered from pit to port, RST technical and operations director David Handel said.
RST identified a gap in the market for a technology that offered the total dust solution while protecting and maintaining optimum quality of coal at the end of the supply chain, he said.
“Our aim was to develop a product that not only did its job in terms of dust suppression, better control and less escapement, but also treated the coal within containment to ensure the best possible product is delivered at the end of the line,” Handel said.
“We have estimated Queensland pumps out around two million rail wagons of coal a year with 80Mt of coal per wagon, however the quality of coal is often ruined during the material handling process.
“By using TCC we are able to stop degradation occurring, which in turn gives coal buyers a delivered product that has a higher calorific value than non-treated coal.
“This is very important as the calorific value measures the energy produced by the coal, a higher value will therefore maximize the coal’s worth.
“So by having an increase of 3% in value is worth a significant amount of money – in terms of coal management technology, this really is the most advanced solution on the market.”
Handel said TCC also had the ability to protect coal from moisture and oxidation, prevent self-combustion within stockpiles and control coal dust, rain erosion, slumping and material loss.
“As a dust suppressant TCC improves visibility, safety and saves large quantities of water,” he said.
“Benefits to coal stockpiles also include improvements to the control of self-combustion, minimisation of water penetration, reduced hang up and carry back during conveying and transport, and the improvement of fines recovery at the coal washeries.”
Handel said RST’s commitment to the constant improvement and development of its existing dust control solutions was the driving force behind the development of the new technology.
“We are constantly researching and redeveloping our products and solutions to ensure they offer the best, most advanced and cost-effective solutions for our clients,” he said.
“Every year coal companies experience a huge loss in material value.”
