Effects of iron compounds on pyrolysis behavior of coals and metallurgical properties of resultant cokes

The utilization of highly reactive and high-strength coke can enhance the efficiency of blast furnace by promoting indirect reduction of iron oxides. Iron compounds, as the main constituent in iron-bearing minerals, have aroused wide interest in preparation of highly reactive iron coke. However, the effects of iron compounds on pyrolysis behavior of coal and metallurgical properties of resultant cokes are still unclear. Thus, three iron compounds, i. e., Fe₃O₄, Fe₂O₃ and FeC₂O₄ · 2H₂O, were adopted to investigate their effects on coal pyrolysis behavior and metallurgical properties of the resultant cokes. The results show that iron compounds have slight effects on the thermal behavior of coal blend originated from thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric curves. The apparent activation energy varies with different iron compounds ranging from 94. 85 to 110. 11 kJ/mol in the primary pyrolysis process, while lower apparent activation energy is required for the secondary pyrolysis process. Iron compounds have an adverse influence on the mechanical properties and carbon structure of cokes. Strong correlations exist among coke reactivity, coke strength after reaction, and the content of metallic iron in cokes or the values of crystallite stacking height, which reflect the dependency of thermal property on metallic iron content and carbon structure of cokes.