Coal Storage Methods and Their Advantages and Disadvantages

 Coal resource storage is a core component of coal mine production, providing buffer support for production systems while enabling precise utilization of coal quality through categorized storage. With advancements in coal storage technology, its role in environmental protection and efficiency enhancement has become increasingly prominent, serving as a vital pillar for enterprise transformation.

1. Evolution of Mainstream Coal Storage Methods

After multiple rounds of technological innovation, current mainstream storage methods have diversified into four primary categories:

（1）Open-Air Storage Yards: This involves storing coal resources outdoors, once the dominant choice for early coal enterprises but now largely phased out.

（2）Semi-Open Storage Yards: Also known as dry coal sheds, these are widely adopted by coal enterprises in southern China. Given the abundant rainfall in southern coal mining regions, this storage method—which combines protection with ventilation—has seen extensive promotion.

（3）Spherical Storage Yards: Also called hemispherical coal silos, these evolved from traditional coal sheds. As a fully enclosed storage method, they are one of the key storage measures currently prioritized by domestic coal enterprises.

（4）Cylindrical Coal Storage Silo: Also a fully enclosed technology, it has gained widespread adoption among domestic coal enterprises due to its superior environmental performance and storage efficiency. With the deepening of green sustainable development strategies, environmental awareness in the coal industry has significantly increased. Storage methods have gradually shifted from semi-enclosed to fully enclosed, leading to the rapid promotion of cylindrical and spherical storage facilities.

2. Technical Characteristics of Open-Air Coal Storage Yards

Open-air coal storage yards were once the predominant storage form. Their core advantages include low initial construction costs, mature and stable storage and transshipment technologies, flexibility in handling coal resources of various properties, and efficient land utilization. The shape of these yards is determined by the height and volume of coal stored, typically adopting a linear layout.

Construction processes for open-air coal storage yards are straightforward: a 0.8-1 meter deep soil layer is stripped, followed by compaction of a crushed stone base layer. A 0.2-meter thick layer of coal gangue is then spread and compacted before the yard becomes operational. Supporting equipment primarily consists of gantry cranes, bucket wheel stacker reclaimers, and unloading bridges, which handle coal storage and transfer operations.

Disadvantages: High coal loss rate with susceptibility to stockpile depletion; prone to spontaneous combustion if poorly managed; significant land consumption and low resource utilization efficiency. Due to these issues, open-air coal stockyards have been phased out.

3. Technical Characteristics of Semi-Open Coal Storage Yards

Semi-open coal storage yards (dry coal sheds) are widely used in thermal power plants, with a construction and operational history spanning two decades. By adding a shed roof over the coal yard, rainwater exposure to coal is effectively prevented, while dust pollution during windy weather is reduced, delivering significant energy-saving and environmental benefits.

Structural Design Features

Dry coal sheds primarily employ cylindrical grid shells or planar steel frame structures to meet requirements for large spans and high clearances. Among these, cylindrical grid shells are most widely used due to their favorable technical and economic properties. Their usable space is determined by the cross-sectional shape, resulting in an arched operational area. The span length and width are designed based on installed capacity, while height is determined by coal stacking parameters and bucket wheel excavator operational requirements. Consequently, dry coal sheds require substantial clear height and span to cover multiple coal piles. ​

Technical Evolution​

In the 1980s, dry coal sheds predominantly employed double-hinged or triple-hinged arch structures, consuming up to 100 kg of steel per square meter. With advancements in design technology, spatial structures emerged: While these arch structures could increase span length, they required ground-level placement and eliminated longitudinal truss columns. To ensure arch stability, high-strength planar bracing was added, necessitating large-section members for load-bearing. This resulted in persistently high steel consumption.

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