Metallurgical Coke
Metallurgical coke is a key component in the production of iron, steel, phosphoric acid, and copper. It is a form of carbon formed when coal is heated in the absence of air, releasing impurities and volatile substances, resulting in a highly porous, carbonaceous material. Metallurgical coke is produced in large amounts, primarily in China, the United States, and India, and is used worldwide in furnaces, blast furnaces, and smelting operations.
Metallurgical coke, also known as coke or coke breeze, is a hard, black solid substance composed primarily of carbon, which has high resistance to thermal shock, pressure, and chemical attack. In the steelmaking industry, metallurgical coke is used as a fuel and as a reducing agent when melting scrap steel. The vast majority of carbon in metallurgical coke is graphite, which is an amorphous form of the element.
In steelmaking, the process begins with the production of molten iron, which is poured into the blast furnace. As the furnace heats up and metallurgical coke is added, oxygen from the air is injected into the blast furnace, allowing it to combine with the carbon in the coke and other elements. This process results in the production of hot metal or pig iron, which is a form of iron containing a high amount of carbon.
Once the pig iron is produced, it is then cooled and shaped into steel products through a process called forging. Through forging, the carbon content of the pig iron is further reduced, resulting in the production of steel.
Metallurgical coke is also used in the production of phosphoric acid, which is an important chemical used in industry and agriculture. Phosphoric acid is used as a fertilizer and in the production of detergents and pharmaceuticals. The process begins with phosphate rock being heated in the presence of metallurgical coke and air, resulting in the production of calcium phosphate and carbon monoxide. The calcium phosphate is then reacted with sulfuric acid to produce phosphoric acid.
Metallurgical coke is also used in the production of copper. The process begins with copper ore being heated in the presence of metallurgical coke and oxygen. This causes the ore to break down and produce copper and other impurities, which are removed from the copper. The resulting copper is then cast into rods and other shapes.
Though metallurgical coke is a key component in the production of iron, steel, phosphoric acid, and copper, it also has its own environmental consequences. To produce metallurgical coke, coal is heated in a limited oxygen environment and the resulting product is highly carcinogenic due to the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Additionally, burning the coke produces large amounts of carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas. For these reasons, the industry must consider responsible alternatives to traditional production methods when producing metallurgical coke.
