Alternative Coke from Inferior Coal for Ferro-Alloy Industry

Carbothermic reduction of iron oxide is an important reaction in Ferro-alloy production process. Coke and bio-char are the main resource carbon for these industries. Carbon not only takes part in reduction reaction but also have important role in maintaining required carbon percentage in metal and contribution in energy supply for the process. Thus the price of carbonaceous material has significant contribution to the overall cost of Ferro-alloy production. Suitable low cost carbon materials are always in demand for such industries. In the present study low rank Indian coal has been carbonised in medium temperature level for producing an alternative semi-coke for this purpose. The coal sample has been first fractionated in two parts based on particle size distribution. Larger size samples are directly carbonised in a laboratory scale coke oven using non-recovery type coke making technique. Finer fractions are first carbonised, then agglomerated into small briquettes and subsequently de-volatilised for lowering volatile matter content, enhancement of fixed carbon and improvement of other properties.