Improving the Preparation of Coking Batch

Abstract

Currently, the most promising blast-furnace technology involves pulverized-coal injection, and the most promising blast-furnace technology for coke production involves ramming the coal batch before delivery to the coke ovens, so as to ensure high packing density. In classic bed coking, the packing density of the coal batch is also of great importance. In the absence of mechanical methods (such as ramming or partial briquetting), the packing density mainly depends on the ash and moisture content and the degree of crushing of the batch. It follows from industrial tests in the coke plant at PAO ArcelorMittal Krivoy Rog and analysis of the multifactorial correlation of the strength M₂₅ and wear resistance M₁₀ with the packing density of the batch that, with decrease in packing density, the coke strength and wear resistance decline. That increases coke consumption and considerably complicates blast-furnace operation. Since improvement in coke quality entails decreasing the moisture content of the coal batch, a method has been developed for decreasing the moisture content directly in the silo, on the basis of osmosis and vacuum, that permits decrease in the coal’s moisture content to the optimal value, thereby boosting coke quality and improving blast-furnace performance. For example, it has been established that, in the blast-furnace shops at PAO ArcelorMittal Krivoy Rog, 1% decrease in M₁₀ lowers the mean coke consumption by 5.5%. With increase in M₂₅ by 1%, the mean coke consumption falls by 2.1%, on average.