Improving coke quality with Canadian coals

Abstract

Metallurgical coal deposits in Eastern Canada are Carboniferous while those in Western Canada are mainly Cretaceous in origin. The Cretaceous coals have undergone quite different coalification than the Carboniferous coals and have reduced pyrite but higher kaolinite, quartz and inerts contents. Western Canadian coals vary from high- to low-volatile in rank. They make strong blast furnace coke from conventional coke oven charges, either individually, or when blended with suitable foreign coals. Cokes made from blends with Western coals have excellent reactivity and coke strength after reaction (CSR) values because of the low basicity of their ash and coking pressures are generally low because of their high inert contents. Western coals are particularly suited to high density charging technologies such as partial briquetting because they demonstrate large improvements to coke quality and have low coking pressures. Nova Scotia coking coal, which is high volatile A bituminous has excellent caking properties and low inert and ash contents. It produces high quality coke in blends carbonized conventionally or preheated. Its ash, and caking properties complement most higher rank coals and it is ideally suited to blend with high inert low sulphur coals like those from Western Canada.