Influence of Coal Compacting on the Properties of Metallurgical Coke

The properties of coke depend on numerous factors, including the density of the compacted coal cake. The influence of batch compacting (stamp charging) on the properties of metallurgical coke produced in coke shop 3 at Alchevsk Metallurgical Complex, SMMC, is studied in the present work. The distribution of the batch density over the height is determined with different compacting conditions in the compacting–charging–discharge machine. In different stamping conditions, the density of the charge gradually decreases with increase in height; the difference may reach 13%. The granulometric composition and strength of the metallurgical coke and the yield of volatiles are determined in different compacting conditions and at different sampling heights. With increase in batch density from 0.87 to 1.08 g/cm³, the content of the 40–60 mm fraction increases by 10%; the yield of volatiles is decreased by a factor of 1.6; and the strength remains unchanged. In the upper part of the coke cake, where the initial batch density is lower, the coke quality is significantly worse: the content of the 40–60 mm fraction falls by 33.3%; the yield of volatiles is increased by a factor of 1.6; and the coke strength M₂₅ falls by 2.9%. Topics for further research are suggested, with a view to improving the quality of the metallurgical coke produced in coke shop 3 at Alchevsk Metallurgical Complex.