The Effect of Calcium Aluminates on the Kinetics of Coke Analogue Gasification in CO2 Gas

Metallurgical coke is a key component in the blast furnace ironmaking process. It is a complex composite material containing different forms of carbonaceous materials, mineral components and a pore structure. It also has significant heterogeneity in its mineralogy (type and particle size), carbon forms and phase dispersion. This complexity and heterogeneity increases the uncertainty in any testing of the coke and makes it difficult to quantitatively evaluate specific factors that influence coke gasification in CO2 gas. The mineralogy metallurgical of coke is a key parameter that affects coke gasification. Further, it is also known that Ca-containing minerals increase the gasification rate. A better understanding of their effect on coke is of particular interest to coke producers and users. In this study, the effects of Ca-containing minerals on coke analogue gasification are evaluated. The use of the coke analogue is to overcome/address uncertainty issues associated with coke complexity and heterogeneity. The primary aims of this thesis are: 1. To establish how representative the coke analogue is of metallurgical coke. 2. To test whether the analogue has similar rate controlling kinetics to that of industrial coke. 3. To test the effects of the Ca containing minerals on coke analogue gasification in CO2. 4. To test whether the Random Pore Model can be used to predict coke analogue gasification.