Classification of coking coals

✍ Scribed by Robert J. Marshall

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1976
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 358 KB
• Volume: 55
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0016-2361
• DOI: 10.1016/0016-2361(76)90038-7

✦ Synopsis

None of the established coal classification systems was specifically designed to meet the requirements of the modern blast furnace coke producer. Meanwhile, more stringent blast furnace coke specifications have demanded sophisticated coal blending plants and close control of coal blend quality. A coking coal classification system* based on reflectance and dilatation is proposed for classifying single coals or coal blends with individual macrocomponents of similar rank and dilatation. Coals are grouped into classes which can be represented by four digit numbers, the first two integers representing the reflectance and the last two integers the dilatation. The basic parameters are already widely used as quality-control tools at coking plants and the procedures for their measurement are currently being standardized in the United Kingdom. It is suggested that the proposed classification system substantially fulfills the requirements of the coke-maker in that it is sensitive to small changes in coal composition and condition and the parameters used can be correlated with coke physical quality.

The time appears to be opportune therefore for the implementation of such a classification system for the more efficient control of coal preparation and blending at coking plants.