Coke gasification with and without hydrogen and its effects on coke microtexture and Minerals

The blast furnace process is the dominant ironmaking route in the steel industry because of its high efficiency and productivity. Coke is a key material that performs several important roles in the blast furnace operation. Gasification is regarded as one of the most important reactions leading to coke degradation in the blast furnace. There is an increasing trend to reduce the consumption of expensive coke by injecting cheaper auxiliary fuels through the tuyeres. At high injection rates, coke quality becomes more pertinent. Coke reactivity towards gasification, a critical parameter in characterizing coke quality, is directly affected by coke properties. On the other hand, as a result of the higher pulverized coal injection rate, the H2 content in modern blast furnaces is significantly higher than before. The aims of this project were to determine the influence of H2 on the reaction kinetics of coke gasification, correlate the reactivity of coke gasification with coke properties, and reveal the influence of gasification on coke microtexture and minerals.