Metallurgical Coke

About Metallurgical Coke:

• It is a carbonaceous material produced by heating bituminous coal in the absence of air.
• It is produced by heating coal in coke ovens at high temperatures (around 1,000 to 1,200 degrees Celsius).
• It is used as a fuel and reducing agent in the production of iron and steel. 
• Properties
  • It has an open, porous structure and may appear glassy in some varieties.
  • It has also a low volatile content or rather low waste product content due to the heat treatment process received.
  • It has a high carbon content, low ash content, and high strength.
  • Its porous structure allows for good gas flow and provides structural support in the blast furnace.
• However, the “ash” constituents, that were part of the original bituminous coal feedstock, remain intact in the finished product.
• Met Coke is available in a wide range of sizes; from fine powder (30 mm) to basketball-sized lumps (20 cm).

Q1) What is Bituminous coal?

Bituminous coal is a type of coal that falls in the middle of the coal rank spectrum in terms of carbon content and energy value. It is a dense, black or dark-brown coal that is widely used as a fuel for electricity generation, industrial processes, and heating.

Source: India starts safeguard probe against sudden, sharp jump in met coke imports