Use of Raw Petroleum Coke in Sinter Plants

Abstract

With the augmentation of sinter production in Jamshedpur works of Tata Steel, there was an acute shortage of coke breeze, the usual solid fuel for sintering. This required the use of alternate fuel for sinter making. Raw Petroleum Coke (RPC) was utilized in all three sinter plants of Tata Steel, Jamshedpur works since November 2005. RPC usage went as high as 50% of total carbonaceous fuel used for sinter making. A unique advantage of using RPC is its low ash (nearly 1.5%) compared to that of coke breeze with 22–25% ash. Thus it was possible to lower Al₂O₃ in sinter from 2.5 to 2.2% consistently. RPC is obtained as a by-product from the petroleum refinery. It is extremely fine in size having −0.25 mm nearly 60% and is highly reactive. RPC also contains volatile matter of about 6–7%, which has implications in suction system. Given the above conditions, it was really a challenge taken by the sinter making team of Tata Steel to adjust the process for using RPC to such a high extent without adversely affecting the quality productivity and equipment health. At some point of time deterioration in sinter quality, particularly in terms of RDI and certain loss in availability and productivity was observed. This paper is to share the experience of Tata Steel in using RPC for sinter making.