Steel production is complicated and a variety of ingredients are needed in order to make sure that the final product meets quality and standard of strength. Petroleum coke, which is utilized in a variety of industrial processes is among these vital components. It is an essential raw material that is used to make the production of graphite that is crucial in steel production. Additionally, it serves as used as a fuel for cement kilns and power plants. It's also an important component in some fertilizers. It can be recycled to reduce environmental impacts and helps reduce energy consumption.
By converting iron oxides to iron carbide, then into molten steel, coke is a significant source of carbon for steelmakers. Coke can also be used as a reducing ingredient in blast furnaces, which converts oxygen to iron carbide. Coke is very porous, which allows gases to move through it in the melting process. Coke's high content of carbon also helps to ensure that the iron molten is not damaged.
It is a carbon material that has been modified through thermal processes to eliminate impurities. Graphite is used as a substitute for natural graphite that is costly and unsuitable for the casting or steelmaking industries. GPC (Graphitized Petroleum Coke) shares many characteristics with natural graphite. This includes a high content of fixed carbon, low sulfur and ash content, and also porosity. It is also less reactive than coal, which makes it an ideal substitute for traditional carbon-raising agents.
There are a variety of petroleum coke that have varying quality and price. The coke that is of the lowest quality is known as fuel coke and is used to generate energy and in the manufacture of cement kilns. Coke called anode is the next level, and is used by the aluminum industry. In the end, the most expensive grade of coke is needle coke which is used in electric arc furnaces to make graphite electrodes.
Although there are some similarities among three grades, distinctions are notable in terms of microscopic structure and chemical properties. Cokes of lower grade have a sponge or honeycomb form, whereas the more expensive cokes are more crystalline. It is difficult to convert crystalline metallurgical coal to graphite. But, it is a good choice because it has several beneficial characteristics, such as high fixed carbon, low sulfur and low ash.
The main advantage of GPC is the high fixed carbon content that is critical for steel making. It also has low sulfur and ash contents that prevent it from contaminating melted iron during the steelmaking process. The high permeability of the material and the low nitrogen content makes it a great substitute for carbon raisers used in casting iron and steelmaking industries.
Reusing GPC in the industry of aluminum and steelmaking allows companies to divert waste from landfills and incorporate it back into their production processes. This not only reduces the need for fossil fuels that are not being used, it also helps to reduce climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Circular economy is becoming more popular as an alternative to traditional resource extraction.
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