Petrographic prediction of coking properties for the Curragh coals of Australia

Abstract

Curragh Queensland Mining Limited, Australia, produces a high quality medium volatile bituminous coking coal from the Orion, Pollux and Castor seams from the upper Permian Rangal Coal Measures. It is one of the lowest ash, prime hard coking coal blends produced in Australia. It is also low in sulfur and produces very strong coke when carbonized alone and in blends. Early attempts to predict coking properties of the coals from petrographic data produced predicted coke stabilities that were significantly lower than those determined from coke tests. There is some question as to how much of the ‘inertinite’ in these and other southern hemisphere coals is truly inert during carbonization and how much is reactive. The current study characterized the Curragh coals in terms of physical, chemical and petrographic characteristics and also involved the production of test oven cokes for characterization and strength testing. As part of the work effort a series of suggested techniques for improving predictions of coke strength from petrographic data were examined and a new and improved technique was developed for the Curragh coals. How broadly the technique can be applied to other coals needs to be determined.