A linear programming approach to optimal utilization of good quality coking coal — The Indian case

Abstract

The present treatment is an attempted method for working out a standard against which the efficiency of any existing system of coal distribution of a country can be studied. The exercise, however, leans heavily on Indian examples. In such a study, gradation of coal because of their differences in ash content and consequently their routing through coal washeries should find an important place. The framework suggested in this paper can handle such extensions. From computational point of view, however, there is a limit to the degree of heterogeneity that can be introduced to the system. The same is true for the regional disaggregation, though, without some amount of it, the results of the model will provide no guideline to the policy-making exercise.