Hopper collapses at power plant in Nelatur

Tirupati: The hopper of the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) tower collapsed at the Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station (SDSTPS) at Nelatur in Muthukur mandal of Nellore district on Thursday morning, causing extensive damage to the equipment.

However, no staff members were present at the plant, as the unit is under shut down for a planned 2–3 months’ overhaul.

SDSTPS officials said despite the collapse, production at other units has not been affected. Chief engineer Sudhir Babu said staff are working to clear the rubble, which is expected to take several days.

The ESP handles coal ash at the thermal power plant. It had been installed to control emissions. It has a cuboid-shaped equipment called a hopper, which keeps the residue fly-ash while the smoke is allowed to rise from the chimney.

SDSTPS Parirakshana Committee convener M. Mohan Rao, alleged that the hopper collapsed because ash was not being cleared regularly from the ESP hopper. “Excessive temperature and pressure built up within the hopper due to accumulated ash, leading to its collapse,” Mohan Rao explained. He demanded action against those responsible for safety lapses at the plant.

AP-Genco officials are conducting an inquiry to ascertain the exact cause for the collapse. They said repair of the damaged ESP will take 2–3 months.

Power generation will continue at the other units of the thermal power station, officials underlined.