Tata Steel has completed the revamp of its 145 m2 horizontal belt filter (HBF) at the West Bokaro coal operations, marking the refurbishment of the largest such unit in its portfolio and one of the largest globally. HBF is a continuous vacuum-driven machine used to separate water from fine coal particles or tailings.
The project was executed by Delkor India, part of the Takraf Group, and was completed within a short shutdown window. The revamp is expected to support sustained high-throughput coal processing while offering a cost-effective alternative to full equipment replacement.
The filter, originally commissioned in 2006, had been in continuous operation for nearly two decades before undergoing a comprehensive overhaul aimed at extending equipment life and improving operational efficiency.
The project involved full replacement of major components such as the filter belt, frames, airboxes, vacuum boxes, lifting systems and associated hardware, along with strategic design enhancements to boost efficiency, simplify maintenance and extend equipment life. Special measures included a site-spliced 4.2 m wide filter belt, optimized vacuum box design and upgraded lifting systems for improved accessibility and durability.
The revamp also incorporated an innovative open-belt solution to streamline installation while maintaining optimal performance in coal concentrate dewatering. According to Delkor India, the upgrade ensures the unit continues to perform at high standards of availability and efficiency, directly supporting Tata Steel’s long-term operational goals.
Tata Steel’s West Bokaro coal operations, located in Jharkhand, serve as a major captive coal mining and processing hub and are integral to the company’s fully integrated steelmaking operations, supplying essential metallurgical coal to its Jamshedpur facilities.
