Sesa Goa's coke plant commissioning delayed by 3 weeks

The commissioning of Sesa Goa’s metallurgical coke plant’s expansion facility at Amona village near has been delayed by three weeks after two high-capacity diesel burners misfired continuously for two days, leaving thick black smoke in the air.

A company spokesman confirmed the development claiming that both burners which were used to pre-heat coke ovens misfired on August 17 and 18. He said as part of the company’s plant expansion, heating of the second battery of coke ovens had begun on August 16. “Coke ovens are required to be pre-heated, as a one-time activity, before they are charged.

[caption id=“attachment_424272” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  However, despite precautions, two burners misfired again at around 11 pm on August 18. Reuters[/caption]

For pre-heating, high-capacity diesel burners are used,” he said. On August 17, at around 7 pm, an unexpected misfiring in two high-capacity diesel burners resulted in generation of soot, which dispersed into the atmosphere.

More from Business fwire

China property sector distress deepens as second company runs into financial troubles Labour codes unlikely to be implemented this fiscal due to slow progress on drafting of rules, political considerations

“The burners were set right and the process was continued. However, despite precautions, two burners misfired again at around 11 pm on August 18,” the spokesman said.

In order to ensure that no further inconvenience is caused to people or property in the neighbouring areas, the company discontinued further use of all high-capacity burners, to avoid any possible misfiring. Also, the company plans to delay the commissioning of its coke plant battery by another three weeks.

Sesa Goa has been operating a 250,000 tonne pig iron manufacturing plant since 1992 and a 280,000 tonne metallurgical coke manufacturing plant since 1994 at Amona, Navelim.

PTI