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Coke
Made of
Coke is a grey, hard, and porous fuel with a high carbon content and few impurities, made by heating coal or oil in the absence of air—a destructive distillation process.
Description of what it is like
Coke is a grey, hard, and porous material. It looks like a dense, metallic sponge. Unlike coal, it burns with very little smoke and provides a more intense and consistent heat.
Origin and where to find it
Coke is not found naturally in significant quantities. It is a manufactured material derived from coal (specifically coking coal).
Minimum processing required
- Selection: Use high-quality bituminous coal (coking coal).
- Carbonization: Heat the coal in a closed oven (coking oven) at temperatures up to 1100°C without oxygen.
- Quenching: The hot coke is cooled quickly with water or air to stop the combustion once the volatiles are gone.
Tools needed to work on it
- Coking ovens or sealed pits.
- High-temperature resistant containers.
- Shovels and carts for handling.
Common forms of use
- Blast Furnace Coke: The primary fuel and reducing agent in the production of iron.
- Foundry Coke: Used in cupola furnaces for melting iron.
Possible substitutes
- Charcoal: Can be used for small-scale smelting but lacks the structural strength of coke for large blast furnaces.
- Anthracite: A high-carbon coal that can sometimes be used directly but is less porous than coke.
Limitations and common failures
- Brittleness: Although strong under compression, it can be brittle.
- Complexity of Production: Requires precise temperature control and the exclusion of air.
Risks and safety
- Carbon Monoxide: Burning coke in enclosed spaces produces lethal CO gas.
- High Heat: The production process involves extreme temperatures.
- Pollution: The volatiles driven off during production (coal tar, ammonia, gas) are toxic and must be managed.
Related materials
- Coal: The precursor material.
- Iron: Coke is essential for modern iron production.
- Steel: Produced using iron made from coke.
Related Knowledge
Properties
- High energy density
- Smokeless fuel
- Strong and porous
Used for
- Steelmaking
- Iron smelting
- Fuel for blast furnaces
Manufacturing / Process
Produced by heating coal in the absence of air (destructive distillation) to drive off volatile constituents.