Abstract
Theoretical and experimental studies were carried out to quantitatively understand the effect of oxidation reforming conditions on the properties of the reformed tar produced in the formed coke process (FCP tar). The oxidation reaction of the FCP tar was a consecutive first order reaction comprising two steps. First, reactive fragments were generated as free radicals by breakage of the alkyl chain of aromatic compounds. The FCP tar was then polymerized by recombination of these fragments. The activation energies of first and second steps were 43.5KJ/mol and 18.8KJ/mol, respectively. At 473K the compressive strength of briquettes of the reformed tar, which had a 1820% toluene insoluble content and viscosity of 18 Pas, was almost equal to that of briquettes of the conventional coke oven pitch. On the basis of this theoretical and experimental analysis, a procedure was established for determining the air blowing conditions for preparing FCP tar for use as a formed coke binder.
