Title

Factors Affecting Coke Size and Fissuring During Cokemaking

Factors Affecting Coke Size and Fissuring During Cokemaking

Authorship

MAHONEY, MERRICK; JENKINS, DAVID; KEATING, JEFF; BAS, ANTHONY LE; MCGUIRE, SID

MAHONEY, MERRICK

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JENKINS, DAVID

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KEATING, JEFF

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BAS, ANTHONY LE

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MCGUIRE, SID

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DOI

10.5151/2594-357x-34Red-871-880

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Abstract

It is widely accepted that fissuring during cokemaking impacts on the strength and size distribution of the product coke. This study aims to better understand the mechanism of fissuring and to identify factors that are likely to impact on coke size distribution. The literature on the mechanism of fissuring during coking was reviewed and alternative approaches to the modelling of the fissuring mechanism evaluated. A new mechanism and model for the physics of fissuring has been developed. The model qualitatively explains a number of features of fissure formation observed in coking experiments however it requires further work to improve the quantification of the analysis. The model identifies key coal factors affecting fissuring as 1) the strength of the semi-coke, and 2) the temperature related shrinkage characteristics of the coal. Further experimental work is required to better characterise each of these. Image analysis techniques were used to characterise fissure patterns of intact coke sections pushed from a pilot coke oven. The relationships between fissure spacing, coal shrinkage and coke size were studied. A statistical analysis of pilot coke oven data was performed to identify coal factors that affect mean coke size and the coke lump size distribution. This fundamental research is the first stage of a project that will lead to a better understanding of the coking process and, ultimately, to optimising coal blend design.

It is widely accepted that fissuring during cokemaking impacts on the strength and size distribution of the product coke. This study aims to better understand the mechanism of fissuring and to identify factors that are likely to impact on coke size distribution. The literature on the mechanism of fissuring during coking was reviewed and alternative approaches to the modelling of the fissuring mechanism evaluated. A new mechanism and model for the physics of fissuring has been developed. The model qualitatively explains a number of features of fissure formation observed in coking experiments however it requires further work to improve the quantification of the analysis. The model identifies key coal factors affecting fissuring as 1) the strength of the semi-coke, and 2) the temperature related shrinkage characteristics of the coal. Further experimental work is required to better characterise each of these. Image analysis techniques were used to characterise fissure patterns of intact coke sections pushed from a pilot coke oven. The relationships between fissure spacing, coal shrinkage and coke size were studied. A statistical analysis of pilot coke oven data was performed to identify coal factors that affect mean coke size and the coke lump size distribution. This fundamental research is the first stage of a project that will lead to a better understanding of the coking process and, ultimately, to optimising coal blend design.

Keywords

fissuring, coke, shrinkage, cokemaking, coke size

fissuring, coke, shrinkage, cokemaking, coke size