Relationship between the technical parameters of cokes produced from blends of three Polish coals of different coking ability

The demand for metallurgical coke for blast furnaces is forcing the coking industry to look for new sources of coking coals. The physical and chemical parameters of coals used in coking blends determine the quality (reactivity and strength) of the finished cokes. This study examines the technical properties of the cokes produced from various blends of three Polish coals with different coking. These coals were collected from three mines: Zofiówka, Szczygłowice, and Krupiński (Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland). The coal charges were coked in the laboratory scale, at temperatures of up to 1000 °C, in an inert atmosphere. The coke reactivity (index CRI) and the coke strength after reaction (CSR) were measured and correlated to the properties of parent coals using statistical analysis. The result of this study shows strong relationships between the concentration of the best coking coal (Zofiówka) in the blend and the CRI and CSR of the resulting coke. The CRI and CSR parameters for cokes obtained from single coals and from their blends show the additive character. This study also confirms the linear relationship between CRI and CSR parameters of the cokes.     

Applications of microscopy to coke making

A Canadian perspective of the petrographic, thermal rheological and grade of metallurgical coals required to make coke with high strength and strength after reaction (CSR) properties is presented. The development of automated microscopic techniques to obtain reproducible and reliable petrographic data to predict coke quality is discussed. The amount of “altered vitrinite” in the microscopic coke textures has been used as a reference to quantifiy in situ coal oxidation. Relationships between coke microscopy, coal petrography and thermal rheological data show that FSI can be used to estimate the amount of oxidized vitrinite plus petrographic inert contents of coal. Plastic temperature ranges determined from microscopic examination of the coal/coke transformations for Appalachian and Canadian coals show that standard thermal rheological tests underestimate the plastic range for high inertinite coals.     

Petrographic prediction of coking properties for the Curragh coals of Australia

Curragh Queensland Mining Limited, Australia, produces a high quality medium volatile bituminous coking coal from the Orion, Pollux and Castor seams from the upper Permian Rangal Coal Measures. It is one of the lowest ash, prime hard coking coal blends produced in Australia. It is also low in sulfur and produces very strong coke when carbonized alone and in blends. Early attempts to predict coking properties of the coals from petrographic data produced predicted coke stabilities that were significantly lower than those determined from coke tests. There is some question as to how much of the ‘inertinite’ in these and other southern hemisphere coals is truly inert during carbonization and how much is reactive. The current study characterized the Curragh coals in terms of physical, chemical and petrographic characteristics and also involved the production of test oven cokes for characterization and strength testing. As part of the work effort a series of suggested techniques for improving predictions of coke strength from petrographic data were examined and a new and improved technique was developed for the Curragh coals. How broadly the technique can be applied to other coals needs to be determined.     

Coal for metallurgical coke production: predictions of coke quality and future requirements for cokemaking

This paper reviews quality requirements of metallurgical coke for the blast furnace, coke structure, and relationships between structure and quality. Models of prediction of metallurgical coke quality parameters based on maceral composition and properties of coals being carbonized are summarized. Early prediction models of cold coke strength and the development of second-generation hot-strength prediction models based on parameters as coke reactivity index (CRI) and coke strength after reaction with carbon dioxide (CSR) are assessed. The review concludes with an assessment of current coke production and coal demand in the steelmaking industry, globally, followed by a preview of possible future alternative coking technologies.     

煤岩学配煤和焦炭强度预测的研究

用配有自行研制的程序控温仪的显微热台,观察研究了P1、T3两时代煤显微组分的加热性状和焦炭的显微特征,由此揭示了不同时代等变质煤结焦性差异的原因,提出了标准活性组分（Vt,st）的新概念;确定了测定混煤中镜质体反射率的方法;最后以重钢焦化厂大量200kg焦炉试验为基础,用计算机进行数理统计分析,优选出标准活性组分（Vt,st）、镜质体随机反射率（Rran）及其标准差（S）三个参数,建立了能准确定量预测焦炭机械强度的数学模型。经焦化厂使用证实,用该方法预测和控制焦炭强度不但准确度高、简单易行,而且可适用于我国大多数焦化企业由不同煤田的多矿点供煤且常有混煤、煤质不稳定的复杂状况。     

Scientific classification of bituminous coals

Proposals for the new international classification systems of bituminous coals, at present being prepared by the respective U.N. ECE group of experts, presuppose applying the micropetrographic parametes — vitrinite reflectance, as a measure of rank, and inertinite content. These parameters, the utilizability of which is indisputable from the scientific point of view, are not sufficient for a complete characterization of the coal mass properties in thermo-chemical transformations, particularly in the coking process. These proposals, therefore, assume the use of further parameters, specially the swelling index and volatile matter, to eliminate the limitation of the micropetrographic parameters.On the basis of an extensive sampling base of bituminous coals produced in the Ostrava-Karviná coal district (OKR coals), an evaluation was carried out of different parameters characterizing the most important properties of the coal mass and respective classifications were proposed. Selected classification parameters were: vitrinite reflectance, as a measure of rank, associated with the properties of the ordered part of vitrinite macromolecules, the H/O_at ratio, reflecting the properties of their disordered part, inertinite content and coking property, expressed by the swelling index (SI). The scientific character of this classification consists in the fact that it reflects significant physical and chemical properties which can be measured by means of the instrumental techniques available at present and, moreover, that it is associated with coal mass genesis.In order to evaluate coal reserves in seams, this classification has been modified to a less complicated variant, using three parameters, which is applicable to evaluating coal blends for coke production on the basis of expressing the coal-blend composition according to rank.     

Observations on low-temperature oxidation of minerals in bituminous coals

Mineral matter in three naturally weathered coals from Pennsylvania strip mines and in two laboratory-oxidized coals has been characterized by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and other techniques to determine mineralogical trasnformations that occur in coals during weathering. Pyrite was found to be the most readily oxidized mineral, forming a variety of iron sulfates initially and geethite eventually. The iron sulfates formed were different in the two laboratory-oxidized coals, despite identical oxidation treatments. Calcite disappeared from one calcite-rich coal with increasing oxidation, but was not replaced by an equivalent amount of gypsum. A severely weathered strip-mine coal was enriched in calcium, which was dispersed through the oxidized macerals. Extended X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy indicated that this dispersed calcium was most likely present as salts of carboxylic acids. Siderite was suprisingly resistant to oxidation at room temperature. Less direct evidence indicates that clay minerals also take part in the alteration to some extent.The coals oxidized in the laboratory showed alteration behavior that differed in a number of respects from that of the strip-mine coals. For example, iron sulfates were much less common in the latter coals; also, the formation of geothite appeared to be controlled to a large extent by the pyrite particle size in the strip-mine coals, but not in the laboratory-oxidized coals.The oxidation of an individual pyrite grain is not only a function of general conditions (temperature, humidity, oxygen partial pressure), but also the immediate local (< 1 mm) chemistry, as a variety of iron sulfates were observed in the coals, often in close proximity. Also, assemblages of gypsum and goethite were observed in otherwise slightly oxidized coal, which indicates that the alteration of pyrite and calcite, when in close contact, proceeds most rapidly.     

Coal and coke petrographic investigations into the fusibility of Carboniferous and Permian coking coals

For the purpose of conducting coal/coke mass balance calculations ten Australian coals of Permian age and twenty Carboniferous coals from the Ruhr district of Germany have been carbonized, and both feed coal and coke samples have been subjected to petrographic and other laboratory analyses. The results demonstrate that inertinite dissociates thermally into four components: (1) gas and liquor; (2) fused coke matrix (FCM); (3) partly fused coke inclusions (PFCI); and (4) unfused coke inclusions (UFCI). Fluorescence intensity measurements offer the best means of identification of the boundaries between the above groups and, in doing so, divide coal components into fusible, partly fusible and infusible constituents without the need to refer to any maceral classification. Fluorescence intensity cut-offs for the three solid categories have been determined. They correspond to 3% 1 650 w for FCM/PFCI and 1.5% for PFCI/UFCI.     

Processes controlling the composition of acid sulfate solutions evolved from coal

Leaching of a series of Appalachian coals by distilled water has been studied in laboratory reactors. From columns open to air at 25°C, leachates were produced containing typically about 0.2 M SO₄²⁻, 0.1 M total Fe and having pH < 2. Leachates contained high concentrations of toxic trace metals, including Be, Al, Cu and Cd. Concentrations of sulfate and Fe in leachates from different coals were similar and were not related to concentrations of total S in the coals. Saturation with respect to melanterite (FeSO₄·7H₂O) and a ferric oxyhydroxide phase was observed in most solutions. Leachates were undersaturated with respect to anhydrous ferric sulfate and Na-jarosite, but supersaturated with respect to K-jarosite, suggesting that none of these phases controlled solution composition. The ratio of total ferric Fe to total ferrous Fe normally exceeded unity. Accumulation of ferric Fe indicates either that its reaction with pyrite is inhibited in weathered coals, or that the coals contain pockets of oxidized pore fluid that are out of contact with pyrite. Release of Be correlated with release of Al, and release of Cu correlated with release of Fe. Reducing the temperature, lowering the partial pressure of oxygen or adding limestone retarded the release of pyrite oxidation products from the coals. Addition of limestone should be considered if it is necessary to control release of acid leachates from coal piles.     

Selected elements in major minerals from bituminous coal as determined by INAA: implications for removing environmentally sensitive elements from coal

The four most abundant minerals generally found in Euramerican bituminous coals are quartz, kaolinite, illite and pyrite. These four minerals were isolated by density separation and handpicking from bituminous coal samples collected in the Ruhr Basin, Germany and the Appalachian basin, U.S.A. Trace-element concentrations of relatively pure ( 99⁺%) separates of major minerals from these coals were determined directly by using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). As expected, quartz contributes little to the trace-element mass balance. Illite generally has higher trace-element concentrations than kaolinite, but, for the concentrates analyzed in this study, Hf, Ta, W, Th and U are in lower concentrations in illite than in kaolinite. Pyrite has higher concentrations of chalcophile elements (e.g., As and Se) and is considerably lower in lithophile elements as compared to kaolinite and illite. Our study provides a direct and sensitive method of determining trace-element relationships with minerals in coal.Mass-balance calculations suggest that the trace-element content of coal can be explained mainly by three major minerals: pyrite, kaolinite and illite. This conclusion indicates that the size and textural relationships of these major coal minerals may be a more important consideration as to whether coal cleaning can effectively remove the most environmentally sensitive trace elements in coal than what trace minerals are present.     

Characterization of Turkish coals: a nationwide perspective

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Turkish General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (Maden Tetkik ve Arama Genel Müdürlügü, MTA) are working together to provide a better understanding of the chemical properties of Turkish coals from major Turkish lignite producing areas.The coals in Turkey are generally low rank (lignite or subbituminous) formed in several different depositional environments at different geologic times and have differing chemical properties. Eocene coals are limited to northern Turkey; Oligocene coals, found in the Thrace Basins of northwestern Turkey, are intercalated with marine sediments; Miocene coals are generally located in Western Turkey. The coal deposits, which have limnic characteristics, have relatively abundant reserves. Pliocene–Pleistocene coals are found in the eastern part of Turkey. Most of these coals have low calorific values, high moisture, and high ash contents.Analysis of 143 coal channel samples (most are lignite and subbituminous in rank, but a few are bituminous and one is anthracitic in rank) has been completed for up to 54 elements and other coal properties using a variety of analytical techniques, including inductively coupled plasma emission and mass spectrometry, instrumental neutron activation analysis, and various single element techniques and ASTM standard procedures. Many of these coals have elemental concentrations similar to U.S. lignites found in the Gulf Coast and Fort Union regions. However, maximum or mean concentrations of B, Cr, Cs, Ni, As, Br, Sb, Cs, and U in Turkey are higher than the corresponding maximum or mean values found in either the Fort Union or Gulf Coast regions.     

A petrologic method of analysis of nonmaceral microstructures in coal

The petrographic maceral composition and vitrinoid reflectance of bituminous coals have been correlated with their carbonization characteristics and are widely used to predict how coals will perform in the coking process and to calculate the strength of the resulting coke. As a result, there is a growing dependence on coal petrographic data in characterizing coals for cokemaking. In addition, there is a growing awareness that there are other nonmaceral microstructures in coal such as material size, shape, association, fracturing, and weathering which should permit better characterization of coals when properly interpreted. These nonmaceral microstructures also give an insight into the metamorphic history and changes due to burial and exhumanation.To expand the use of coal petrologic and petrographic data, a new analytical procedure has been developed that requires the microscopic determination of such nonmaceral microstructures as normal coal, coal fines, pseudovitrinoids, microbrecciation, oxidation, coarse mineral matter, miscellaneous materials, and contamination. The occurrence of one or more of these microstructures in coal, depending on their kind and abundance, may have a significant effect on the coal performance in various processes. This work has resulted in formulation of a technique for determining the nonmaceral microstructures in coal and, if applied as a supplement to the routine maceral analysis of coals, should help in explaining the anomalous behavior of some coals.     

The thermal decomposition studies of three Polish bituminous coking coals and their blends

The objective of this work was to investigate the thermal decomposition of various bituminous coal blends. Three Polish coals of varying rank (82.7, 86.2 and 88.7 wt.% carbon content) and caking ability (weak, moderate and strong) were collected from the Krupiński, Szczygłowice and Zofiówka mines, respectively. These coals were used to prepare binary and ternary blends. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were used. The weight loss and heat flow during pyrolysis, and storage/loss elastic modulus measured as a function of increasing temperature were related to the caking ability of coals. Parameters determined with the TGA and the DSC methods in the binary and ternary blends were correlated with the proportion of strongly-caking-coal concentration in the blend. The weight loss of coal blends was found to be additive parameter. The DSC thermograms of binary blends were found to be different from those of the ternary blends, which suggests a different course for this blend pyrolysis.     

Co-carbonization of selected American coals with commercial additives

Because of the short supply of high-quality coking coals in certain areas of the world, many methods of improving the coking characteristics of poorly coking or noncoking coals have been examined as alternatives to importing more expensive, better quality coals. Co-carbonization, or the addition of coal-derived or petroleum-derived materials to the coal charge prior to carbonization, has been used on a commercial basis in the Japanese coking industry. These additives have been used in both solid and liquid form as binders in coal briquettes or as direct additions to the coal blend.In this study three different coal lithotypes were sampled from each of three United States bituminous coal seams: (1) a marginally coking high-volatile B-rank Illinois No. 6 Seam; (2) a highly fluid, good coking quality, high-volatile A-rank Pittsburgh Seam; and (3) a strongly coking low-volatile Blue Creek Seam. Each lithotype sample was carbonized in small-scale (50 g) charges with each of three additives at 0, 2, 5, and 10% additive by weight. The additives included ASP, an asphalt pitch; KRP, a petroleum residue pitch; and SRC, a solvent-refined coal product. The different lithotypes were sampled to examine the effects of coal type as well as rank. A micro-tumbler test was used to give at least a relative coke-strength value for the cokes produced. In addition, all the cokes produced were examined microscopically to determine the effects of co-carbonization on the coke structure.The Illinois No. 6, Pittsburgh, and Blue Creek Seam coals all showed substantial strength increases when co-carbonized with 2, 5, and 10% of each of the three additives, particularly at the 5 and 10% levels. The SRC appears to be the best additive overall for the three ranks of coal, as judged by its ability to combine with the coal to make a higher strength coke. There appear to be no conclusive coke-strength differences among lithotype samples for any of the three coals, probably because of the small scale of the tests and the relatively small differences in inert maceral content among the lithotypes. Five percent by weight of additive appears to be sufficient, if properly blended with the coal charge, to produce higher strength cokes. This is also probably the maximum economically viable level, particularly in the United States coking industry. Two percent is probably the minimum additive level for adequate mixing on a commercial scale.     

辽宁北票地区煤中微量元素研究

对辽宁北票地区煤中微量元素进行了研究 ,将研究区煤中微量元素的平均质量分数与世界范围煤的微量元素的平均质量分数进行比较 ,发现北票煤中的Cr、Co、Ni、As、Sr、Y、Zr、Ba、Ta、Sc具有较高的富集 ,而Sn、U具有较低的富集 ,这种差异可能主要与聚煤区域的地球化学背景有关。计算了微量元素之间的相关系数 ,得出北票地区煤中稀土元素总量较世界范围稀土元素总量的平均值偏高 ,且煤中稀土元素分布模式十分相似 ,表明在成煤期间陆源物质供应相对稳定。煤中矿物主要为高岭石、石英及方解石及少量的伊利石 ,并对其中的地质成因进行了初步解释。     

Uranium-thorium systematics of two Canadian coals

A detailed study of U-Th distribution in two Lower Cretaceous coals in Canada shows that for these coals formed in a continental fluvial and deltaic environment with no marine influence, the U contents are in the range 0.07–7.5 ppm with Th in the range 0.3–11.0 ppm. Average Th/U ratios are near 2 which indicates slight uranium enrichment. The environments of the two coals show different degrees of weathering (montmorillonite-illite and kaolin-gibbsite) and U values are lowest in the more weathered environment In sedimentary profiles associated with the coals, the maximum uranium values are not in the coals but in carbonaceoss clay sediments above and below coal seams. Uranium distribution patterns can be correlated cith Ni, Cu, Rb, Pb, Sr, and Zr, indicating contributions from heavy minerals plus more mobile species (possibly simple organic compounds) which are adsorbed or bonded onto claysor organic matter.     

Hydroxyl contents of coals: new data and statistical analyses

Data previously published for the phenolic hydroxyl content of 35 coals have been supplemented by the study of a further 17 samples. Various statistical analyses have now been made of the relationship of the data for the full set of 52 samples to other properties of the coals. Hydroxyl contents can be expressed either as fractions of total organic matter or of the total organic oxygen in the coals. Data expressed on the first of these bases exhibit a strong dependence on the degree of metamorphism of the coals, while those on the second basis do not. Statistical correlations on either basis show that systematic relations between coal properties differ for different coal provinces of the U.S.A. thus demonstrating that the properties of a coal are dependent to an important extent on the geology and geochemistry of the basin in which it is found.     

Metalliferous coals: A review of the main genetic and geochemical types

This paper presents a review of the genetic types and geochemical processes that have formed ‘metalliferous’ coals around the world. Primary attention is given to elements in coal that are currently being extracted from coal as raw material (Ge and U) or have, in our opinion, the best chance for such use (REE, Ag, Au, and PGE). Coals with anomalously high concentrations of other metals having potential for economic by-product recovery (Be, Sc, V, Ga, Sb, Cs, Mo, W, and Re) are briefly considered. Original data and a survey of the literature indicate that metalliferous coals are in many coal basins. Ore formation in coal-bearing structures may occur during peat accumulation, during diagenesis of the organic matter, or by epigenesis. Various metals are supplied to sedimentary basins as minerals that are transported by water and wind or as ionic species in surface water and descending and ascending underground water and may be incorporated into peat or coals. The modes of occurrence of metals in the enriched coals are diverse. The data presented in this review indicates that metalliferous coals should be regarded as promising for economic recovery for by-products in the course of coal mining and combustion.     

Economics of the coal industry east of the Mississippi, 1973–1982

Government regulations on health, safety and environment have been poppular blamed for the declining productivity in U.S. coal mines since 1970. The stagnation in the coal industry east of the Mississippi is alleged to have been caused by this declining productivity and by the growth of cheaper and cleaner coal production west of the Mississippi. Economic evidence suggests, however, that productivity declines were more due to a relative lowering of labor costs in comparison with coal prices and due to work stoppages. The development of western coals fields was spurred by growth in local demand and had only a relatively small impact on coal production east of the Mississippi. Problems of the eastern coal industry are rooted mainly in slow economic growth in eastern U.S. which must be addressed in the long-term interests of the eastern coal industry.