Vol 61, No 7 (2018)

The economy of the European Community is analyzed. The state of the global and European coal, coke, and steel markets is examined, as well as price trends. Some achievements and innovations in coke production are presented. The prospects for steelmaking and coke production are assessed.

The influence of the coke strength M₂₅ and abradability M₁₀ and the proportion of >80 mm coke pieces on the furnace productivity and coke consumption is analyzed on the basis of mean monthly operational data for 2000-, 2700-, and 5000-m³ blast furnaces. The influence of these coke parameters on blast-furnace operation is more pronounced for larger furnaces.

The phenolic fraction of coal tar may be used to modify the group composition and rheology of pitch, according to the results of the present study. Modification of electrode pitch with a softening temperature of 55°C changes the group composition of the β fraction. That improves characteristics such as the sorptional capacity, limiting wetting angle, and wetting index. Theoretical and practical research shows that introducing 15–20% of the phenolic fraction in 1000 g of pitch improves its plasticity. The processes responsible for the characteristics of pitch in each technological step are studied. The thermochemical transformations of the pitch components with coal tar at low levels of pyrolysis are identified. By this means, the group composition of coal pitch may be modified.

The introduction of FOUNDATION^TM Fieldbus technology in coke-plant automation is discussed. The benefits of this technology over traditional systems are outlined.

The light-induced gasification of coal–water fuel slurry prepared from coal-enrichment wastes is considered. Under the action of powerful laser pulses, the coal–water slurry is converted to synthesis gas, consisting mainly of CO and H₂, with admixtures of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, as well as water vapor. The targeted supply of heat to the fuel surface by the laser beam triggers pyrolysis in the irradiated region, whereas the mean temperature of the fuel portion in gasification does not exceed 100°C. The efficiency of gasification is considered as a function of the laser intensity. Above the intensity threshold (10–11 J/cm²), the efficiency of gasification falls sharply on account of the production of a fine fuel aerosol, which is dispersed from the laser spot on the fuel surface.