Coking Properties and Structural Dynamics of Coal Systems
Summary
The coking behaviour of coals underpins the quality and safety of coke production for the steel and metallurgical industries. During carbonisation, coal undergoes a complex series of physical and chemical transformations governed by its maceral composition, intrinsic porosity and thermal reactivity. As temperature rises, a plastic phase develops when volatile components melt to form metaplast, allowing molecular reorganisation and the formation of mesophase spheres. The extent and duration of this plastic window determine the coherence and mechanical strength of the resulting coke matrix. Structural dynamics, including the evolution of porosity and permeability within the plastic and semicoke layers, control gas release and internal pressure build-up. Excessive coking pressure can lead to oven damage, while insufficient plasticity or inappropriate maceral ratios impair coke reactivity and strength. Advances in characterising molecular bond scission, hydrogen bonding and aromatic condensation have shed light on how coal structure dictates fluidity, pore development and final coke morphology. Understanding these interlinked phenomena is critical for optimising coal blends, ensuring process safety, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and tailoring coke properties for diverse industrial demands.
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Coking Properties and Structural Dynamics of Coal Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in coking properties and structural dynamics of coal systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Metaplast: The molten fraction of coal generated during heating, whose extent determines plastic-phase duration and fluidity.
Maceral: A constituent organic component of coal (e.g., vitrinite, inertinite) whose composition influences coking behaviour and coke quality.
Plastic layer: The zone within a coal charge where metaplast forms, allowing molecular mobility and phase transitions.
Coking pressure: Internal pressure developed during carbonisation due to gas evolution and constrained expansion of plasticised coal.
Permeability: Measure of gas flow through the plastic or semicoke layers, affecting pressure relief and pore formation.
References
- Study on Relationships between Coal Microstructure and Coke Quality during Coking Process. Processes (2023).
- Permeability and Porosity Development during the Carbonization of Coals of Different Coking Pressures. Energy & Fuels (2021).
- Mechanism of Coking Pressure Generation in the Light of the Results of Laboratory Tests. Energies (2022).
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