Abstract

Carbonization of coal entails heating coal to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen to distill out tars and light oils. This process is used to produce metallurgical coke for use in iron making blast furnaces and other smelting processes. A gaseous by-product referred to as coke oven gas or coal gas is also formed along with ammonia, water, and sulfur compounds. Coke over gas is a valuable heating fuel. Other carbonization by-products are usually refined within the coke plant to produce commodity chemicals.

Coking coals and the various coal constituents that lead to the production of high quality cokes are described. The carbonization process, including the coking mechanism and design of coke ovens, is discussed as are coke properties and coke uses.