Introduction
Coking coal, also known as metallurgical coal, is a special type of coal that is used in the production of steel and other metals. It is made up of two main groups of coal: bituminous and anthracite. Coking coal is known for its low ash and sulphur content and its ability to form coke, which is a fuel used for smelting iron ore to produce steel. It is an essential raw material for the steel industry and is widely used in many other manufacturing industries across the world.
Coking coal is produced in several parts of the world, including Australia, India, China, the United States, and Russia. Australia accounts for approximately 60% of the global production of coking coal and is a major supplier to the international steel industry. The same is true for India, China, and the United States. Coking coal production in Russia is also growing rapidly due to surging demand from the steel industry.
Application
Coking coal is an important fuel source for steel production. Steel is produced by heating iron ore in a furnace along with small amounts of coking coal and limestone. The coking coal helps to melt the iron ore, allowing it to be discharged from the furnace in liquid form. The coking coal then reacts with the oxygen in the air to produce a volatile-rich gas that fuels the furnace.
The coking coal also binds to any impurities which enter the furnace and helps to reduce the production of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur emissions, produced during the steel-making process.
In addition to its use in the steel industry, coking coal can also be used in other manufacturing processes. It is used in the chemical industry to produce ammonia, carbon black, and other materials. It is also used in other industries, such as cement production, paper production, and the production of insulation materials.
Production
Coking coal is produced in several countries around the world, but it is most commonly produced in Australia, India, China, the United States, and Russia.
Australia is the largest producer of coking coal in the world and is a major supplier to the international steel industry. It has some of the largest coking coal mines in the world, with most being located in the states of Queensland and New South Wales.
India is the second largest producer of coking coal in the world and is an increasingly important source of coking coal for the global steel market. It has several large open-cast coking coal mines that are located in the states of Jharkhand, Orissa, and Madhya Pradesh.
China is the third largest producer of coking coal, but it is also the world’s largest producer of steel. The coking coal used by the Chinese steel industry is primarily imported from Australia and Russia.
The United States has limited reserves of coking coal and is not a major producer, but it does have several small coal mines in West Virginia, Illinois, and South Dakota.
Russia is a major supplier of coking coal to the global market and is rapidly expanding its production.
Conclusion
Coking coal is a special type of coal that is used to produce steel and other metals. It is produced in several countries around the world, with Australia, India, China, the United States, and Russia accounting for the majority of global production. Coking coal is an essential raw material in the steel industry and is increasingly being used in other manufacturing industries.
