Blast furnace coke is a meta-stable material made of coalueous materials that are coked and then heated up in the blast furnace. It is mainly used for the reduction of iron ore or other ores or fuel for melting or refining certain metals.
In the production process of blast furnace coke, there are two primary steps: coking and heating. Coking involves the use of special coking plant with extremely high temperatures to separate out hydrocarbons in the coal, leaving the harder and carbonized material behind.
The coking step must be precisely monitored in order to maintain the correct heating temperature and prevent the formation of debris that can impact on the quality of the final product. The process requires a significant amount of energy, usually comprising natural gas, which then needs to be released promptly after the coking process is completed.
The sample of coke obtained from the coking process is then heated in the blast furnace. This step is considered the most critical one as it sets the characteristics of the final product. Heat is distributed uniformly to ensure that the coke will not burn too quickly or too slowly, which can lead to a decrease in the quality of the end product.
Once the desired temperature is reached, the heated material is discharged and moved to storage or filling areas. During this part of the process, the coke is filled into shallow, open trays and cooled by natural air so that it can be handled without damaging it.
After the cooling process is completed, the product of coking is sent for further refining, such as the addition of sulfur and ash content, which has the purpose of optimizing its characteristics for use in the blast furnace.
Blast furnace coke is a very important component in a number of areas, such as steel-making and aluminum production. It is also used as a fuel in various processes, from cement production to food processing and energy generation. Because of its multiple uses and the complexity of its manufacturing process, it is important for operators of the blast furnace to be aware of its characteristics and how to handle it properly to ensure maximum productivity.
