Effect of plastic range and ash chemistry on hot strength properties of coke

The effectiveness of blast furnace (BF) operation is closely linked with the coke quality. Coke is the only solid material in the furnace that supports the iron-bearing burden and provides a permeable bed necessary for slag and metal to pass down into the hearth and for hot gases to pass upwards in BF. Therefore hot strength of coke i.e. coke strength after reaction (CSR) is one of the key parameters for efficient operation of BF. In this paper effect of ash chemistry (basic to acid ratio), plastic range (PR) and mean max reflectance of coal blend on the coke quality at Bhilai Steel Plant discussed. Two different regions were identified, in the first region BAR is the controlling factor while in the other region PR was a dominating factor for CSR. A new prediction model for CSR was also developed using plant data.