Over the last twenty years, simulation technology has been used to optimise the performance of many chemical engineering process plants. Since 1993, whilst using the dynamic simulation methodology outlined in this paper, it has been found that many of the mathematical models associated with chemical plants have application in the bulk materials handling sector. Over this period the technology has been successfully applied to a limited range of bulk material handling areas which required optimisation. In the recent past, examples of those have included screening, conveying and blending.This paper explores, in a conceptual way, the application of simulation technology to optimise the performance of a coal handling plant associated with a thermal power generating station. The study includes ship reception, handling into and out of stockyards and on to unit bunker storage and discharge to pf mills and boilers. It is believed that the further development and application of the relatively low cost software involved, will lead to value-for-money, new and retrofit plant enhancement schemes.
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