ACARP ACARP ACARP ACARP
Technical Market Support

Characterise Cokes for Strength and Reactivity - Stage Two

Technical Market Support » Metallurgical Coal

Published: April 16Project Number: C18043

Get ReportAuthor: Philip Bennett, William Cash | ALS Coal

To better understand how coal transforms into coke requires the ability to relate the main microstructural and microtextural features of the coke to properties of the coal. This project aims to identify the influence of these features on coke quality.

 

There are two parts to this project:

1. Optical imaging to determine the fused and unfused components of the coke structure. Subsequent analysis of the unfused component for shape, size and porous feature and the fused component for pore structure;

2. SEM based mineral analysis techniques to identify changes due to mineral phases would also lead to better understanding of the major mineral related factors influencing coke degradation after reaction with CO2.

 

Optical Imaging of Coke to Examine Coke Strength

In this extension the image analysis techniques developed in ACARP Project C18043 (Bennett, et al., 2012) were to be further developed to allow the determination of the size of the unfused material. As discussed in this report this approach was not taken and manual identification of the unfused components was carried out to ensure similar unfused structures were identified as Kubota et al. (2008). The criteria used in the identification of an unfused region was that it was a region that was mostly inert-derived maceral component (IDMC) and had the same structure within that region. A wide range of parameters were determine from the identified unfused regions and remaining fused structure which were related to coke strength, in particular coke drum indices.

 

MLA Characterisation of Minerals

In order to better understand the effect of mineral matter on coke reactivity, Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA) was used to categorise the minerals on the surface of a prepared coke core. This core was then put through a reactivity rig before having the surface of the core imaged again using an optical microscope to observe the topology of the surface.

 

Recommendations

Imaging of coke to determine structural features is not a cost effective tool for the evaluation of coke and thus determining the value of the feed coking coal. The investment in this project by both ACARP and ALS Coal will only be realised if the coke structural features identified in this project can be linked to properties of coal. While it has been demonstrated that the fused and unfused parts of the coke structure are related to Vitrinite and Inertinite, it is the size of the Inertite (> 95% Inertinite) or Inertinite Dominant grains that is of most importance to the Australian coking coal industry. ACARP Project C24058 will examine how this may be done using CGA developed by CSIRO.

 

The image analysis techniques used to determine the strength of structures are continually evolving, mostly in the areas of metal foams, biological cell structure and bone structure. To assist further understanding of coke structure ALS Coal will make available all images and software to researchers in the field of coke structure.

 

The use of MLA and optical imaging of coal assist in clarify the role the minerals are playing. The combined understanding of the coke structure and association of minerals with the different regions within that structure will allow producers to be better understand what maybe influencing the coke quality produced from their coals.

Underground

Health and safety, productivity and environment initiatives.

Recently Completed Projects

C34019Longwall Bretby Cable Handling Monitoring With Fibre Optics

This project examined the potential of using fibre optic sensing tec...

C27049Mine Machine Radar Sensor Integration

The aim of this project was to develop an integrated radar sensor an...

C29007Innovative Coal Burst System To Investigate The Influence Of Confinement Loss And Pre-Conditioning On Coal Burst Mechanism

The challenges associated with designing and operating a safe and pr...

Underground

Open Cut

Safety, productivity and the right to operate are priorities for open cut mine research.

Recently Completed Projects

C33035High Water Recovery, Low Cost Desalination Using PV-Powered Membrane Capacitive Deionisation (Mcdi)

Capacitive deionization is a robust, energy efficient and cost effec...

C28035Topsoil Deficits In Site Rehabilitation Accelerated Transformation Of Spoils To Functional Soils

The incorporation of commercial biological amendments (compost, worm...

C34036Tyre Handler Testing Rig Stage 2: Lifting Trials

Tyre handling is a major source of risk in surface mining operations...

Open Cut

Coal Preparation

Maximising throughput and yield while minimising costs and emissions.

Coal Preparation

Technical Market Support

Market acceptance and emphasising the advantages of Australian coals.

Recently Completed Projects

C34060In-Situ Investigation Of Coke Structure Formation Under Stamp Charged Coking Conditions

Stamp charged cokemaking has emerged as an effective technique to im...

C34062Improving The Classification Of Microstructure Distribution In Coke CT Images Using Deep Learning And Lineal Path Calculations

This project builds on a number of earlier projects that have helped...

C29071Source Of Variability Of Reactivity Of Coke In The CSR Test

The Coke Strength after Reaction (CSR) test is used worldwide to det...

Technical Market Support

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from the production of coal.

Recently Completed Projects

C28076Selective Absorption Of Methane By Ionic Liquids (SAMIL)

This third and final stage of this project was the culmination of a ...

C29069Low-Cost Catalyst Materials For Effective VAM Catalytic Oxidation

Application of ventilation air methane (VAM) thermal oxidiser requir...

C23052Novel Stone Dust Looping Process For Ventilation Air Methane Abatement

This multi‐phase project is concerned with the mitigation of m...

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Low Emission Coal Use

Step-change technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Recently Completed Projects

C17060BGasification Of Australian Coals

Four Australian coals were trialled in the Siemens 5 MWth pilot scale ga...

C17060AOxyfuel Technology For Carbon Capture And Storage Critical Clean Coal Technology - Interim Support

The status of oxy-fuel technology for first-generation plant is indicate...

C18007Review Of Underground Coal Gasification

This report consists of a broad review of underground coal gasification,...

Low Emission Coal Use

Mining And The Community

The relationship between mines and the local community.

Recently Completed Projects

C16027Assessing Housing And Labour Market Impacts Of Mining Developments In Bowen Basin Communities

The focus of this ACARP-funded project has been to identify a number...

C22029Understanding And Managing Cumulative Impacts Of Coal Mining And Other Land Uses In Regions With Diversified Economies

The coal industry operates in the context of competing land-uses that sh...

C23016Approval And Planning Assessment Of Black Coal Mines In NSW And Qld: A Review Of Economic Assessment Techniques

This reports on issues surrounding economic assessment and analysis ...

Mining And The Community

NERDDC

National Energy Research,Development & Demonstration Council (NERDDC) reports - pre 1992.

Recently Completed Projects

1609-C1609Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

1301-C1301Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development...

Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development and Extraction Operations

0033-C1356Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals...

Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals - An Industry Handbook

NERDDC