What is a plant hopper used for in a coal processing system?

A plant hopper is primarily used in a coal processing system as a reservoir for temporary coal storage. This functionality is crucial for managing the flow of coal through the system. By storing coal temporarily, the plant hopper ensures a steady supply of material to downstream processes, accommodating variations in coal supply and demand or interruptions in material feed.

In this way, the plant hopper maintains operational efficiency and helps manage inventory levels, providing flexibility in the processing system. Its design allows for easy loading and unloading, as well as the ability to control the rate at which coal is delivered to the next stage of processing.

Other options pertain to different aspects of coal processing or measurement systems that do not correctly define the role of a plant hopper. Processing coal into powder is typically done using pulverizers or milling equipment, while thermal measurements are conducted using specialized sensors, and gas recirculation relates to combustion processes rather than coal storage.