Structural Analysis of Needle Coke

Abstract

Industrial needle-coke samples from different producers are investigated by X‑ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Their structural parameters L_a and L_c are determined, and their microstructure is investigated. A relation is observed between the structural parameters and morphology of the coke particles. Given the consistency of the results obtained by the two independent methods, X-ray structural analysis and scanning electron microscopy may be regarded as complementary tools essential to structural assessment and assignment of coke samples and also to specification of the thermal conditions for the production of high-quality anisotropic needle coke.