Small scale determination of metallurgical coke CSR

Coke Strength after Reaction (CSR) and the concomitant Coke Reactivity Index (CRI) are useful parameters for assessing the behavior of coke in blast furnace. To measure CSR and CRI of the resultant coke from a particular metallurgical coal or blend, a pilot scale oven test for producing appropriate industrial grade coke for measurements is unavoidable. If the quantity of coal sample available is not sufficient for pilot scale oven test, CSR measurement of the resultant coke is normally not possible. CanmetENERGY has developed a procedure for producing coke to allow CSR measurement involving relatively small amounts of coal sample (∼15 kg). The procedure involves producing semi-coke using the Sole Heated Oven in accordance with ASTM standard D2014-97 (2004). In the Sole Heated Oven test the coal sample is heated only from the bottom (the sole) up to 950 °C with the top of the oven charge rising to 500 °C over a period of 6–7 h. The resulting semi-coke is quenched (either wet or dry) and subsequently reheated to 1100 °C under nitrogen for 1 h. CSR and CRI are measured using the coke produced using this procedure. To demonstrate the validity of CSR and CRI measured using this approach, identical coal blends were carbonized concurrently using the CanmetENERGY pilot scale moveable wall oven (460 mm wide, 350 kg capacity) and the procedures mentioned above. CSR and CRI of the cokes produced by these two approaches were compared. Statistical analysis and coke textual analysis were performed to demonstrate the relevance of this novel approach on CSR determination.