Factors influencing properties of coal briquettes

Abstract

To maximize the efficiency of manufacture of smokeless fuel briquettes from blends of high-rank coals and pitches, it is necessary to optimize feedstock selection to maintain strength during carbonization and subsequent handling. From an understanding of carbonization behaviour of feedstock components and of microcarbonization phenomena at interfaces, the contribution of interfacial interactions to strength properties of briquettes is assessed. The crushing strength, microstrength and optical texture of briquettes from a range of feedstocks were determined before and after carbonization at 970 K. These techniques promoted understanding of the carbonization behaviour of blends of feedstocks and strength-structure relations in resultant briquettes. Factors of feedstock selection that influenced the strength of carbonized briquettes were identified.