Study on semi-coke as an alternative fuel for blast furnace injection coal

ABSTRACT

In order to explore the advantages and disadvantages of replacing blast furnace injection coal with semi-coke, the comparison of various indexes of semi-coke and blast furnace injection coal is mainly studied. Thermogravimetric analyzer and drop tube furnace test were used to analyze the combustion performance of fuel. Petrographic analyzer was used to analyze the microscopic composition and microstructure of the fuel. Based on the typical characteristic index, a ratio model of the blast furnace injection coal blending is proposed. The experimental results show that compared with anthracite, semi-coke has the characteristics of higher moisture about 5–8%, lower ash fusion temperature about 1300°C and lower grindability index between 50 ~ 60, while low ignition which is 430°C ~ 470°C about 60°C lower than anthracite, higher combustion characteristics and burn-out rate. According to the results, it is showed that semi-coke has more uneven porous structure compared with anthracite. In summary it can better replace part of anthracite as a fuel injected into blast furnace.

KEYWORDS:

• Semi-coke
• thermogravimetric analysis
• petrographic analysis
• combustion performance
• coal blending ratio model

Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by Hubei Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials (Grant No.WKDM202007) and Hubei Technological Innovation Special Fund (Grant No. 2020ZYYD019). The support of Nangang Industry Development Co. Ltd is also appreciated.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).