Statistical process control for coal fired power plant system

In this study, the coal feeding process from Garp Lignite Enterprise (GLE) in Kutahya, Turkey to the nearby Tuncbilek Power Plant (TPP) was evaluated from statistical process control point of view. During the examination of GLE-TPP coal feeding system, process stability and capability of the supplied coal were measured and analysed on the basis of calorific value (quality characteristic) of coal for the years of 2002 and 2003. Process stability was examined by taking the mean and range control charts into account for the two units of TPP. Process capability, on the other hand, was analysed by considering the capability indexes for the two units of TPP. As a result of the analyses, it was found that the operation of the system was unstable and incapable in 2002 and 2003, although some improvements were observed in 2003. This result indicates that the process was not controlled effectively. After the analysis, the reasons of the problem were also discussed and several suggestions were made.