The kinetics of coke analogue reactivity

Coke is the fuel and the primary source of CO for the reduction of iron oxide in the blast furnace. It also gives the structure to the furnace to ensure high permeability for high productivity[1]. Coke is a complex heterogeneous composite material containing different forms of carbonaceous materials, mineral components and a pore structure primarily dependent on the volatile matter in the source coal and coking conditions. When exposed to high temperatures and reactive atmospheres, the heterogeneous compositional and structural features, inherent in a coke, make it difficult to isolate the effects of specific component on coke behavior. This limits the progress in coke studies in assessing the impact of minerals on reactivity and reaction kinetics[2, 3]. A coke analogue has been developed using laboratory grade materials (graphite, Bakelite, Novolac and minerals) to address these reactivity issues. Full details of how is produced are given elsewhere[2, 4]. Use of this coke analogue has several advantages. It can be doped with minerals required, while porosity, carbon structure and mineral dispersion can be controlled, reducing heterogeneity issues. This controlled and improved homogeneity offers new possibilities in isolation specific effects of minerals on coke reactivity and coke reactivity kinetics.