Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, Vol. 5, No.2, pp 155-165, 2006
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155
Characterization of Ajaokuta Coke for Blast Furnace
Ironmaking
1*
A.O. Adeleke,
2
R.S. Makan, and
1
S.A. Ibitoye
1.Department of Materials Science and Engineering,Faculty of Technology,
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
2.National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC), P.M.B. 2116,
Jos, Plateau State. Nigeria
*Corresponding Author:
ABSTRACT
The 300kg coke sample received from Ajaokuta Steel Plant was subjected to proximate
analysis and pilot scale size distribution test. The proximate analysis showed that the coke
contains 0.38%, 13.45%, 2.72% and 0.14% of moisture, ash, volatile matter and sulphur
respectively; while size distribution test gave micum 10 and micum 40 of 3.62% and 89.67%
respectively. Therefore, the coke satisfies the blast furnace requirements for moisture,
sulphur and micum strength. However, its ash and volatile contents exceed the specified
limits except for Indian standard practice.
Keywords: Coke, proximate analysis, size distribution, micum strength
INTRODUCTION
Coals are organic detrital sedimentary rocks that originate from a variety of plant material
and different tissues deposited in more or less aquatic locations. The evolution of vegetable
matter to coal begins by degradation of the former by bacterial activity under the action of

156 Adeleke, Makan and Ibitoye Vol.5, No.2
temperature and pressure over a long period of time[1]. Coke is the residue obtained when
coal is heated to high temperatures in the absence of air. This process is called carbonization
or destructive distillation of coal. Types of coke include metallurgical coke, foundry coke,
formed coke, coke for electric furnaces and coke for resistor in graphitization furnaces.
Metallurgical grade coke is produced by carbonizing bituminous coals at temperatures above
1,100
0
C and they satisfy the chemicals, physical and mechanical requirements for use in the
blast furnace ironmaking process. For the blast furnace operation, coke is charged along with
sinter, the iron bearing material and limestone, the fluxing agent. In addition to its role as an
energy source, metallurgical coke supports the overlying furnace burden and provides the
permeability necessary for the high efficiency of the blast furnace [2].
In order to perform the aforementioned functions, the coke must have good strength so that it
does not disintegrate during its descent through the blast furnace shaft. Additionally, some
elements like sulphur present in coke adversely affect the quality of iron metal produced. A
number of tests have been developed for the quantitative assessment of the properties of coke
which influence the operation of the blast furnace. These tests include proximate analysis,
sulphur content determination and physical characterization of coke to determine the micum
indices. Proximate analysis involves determination for moisture, ash, volatile matter and
fixed carbon of coke.
Micum index indicates the strength of coke against both impact and abrasion. The micum
drum is made of mild steel and is 1m in internal diameter. 50kg sample of coke above 63mm
size is rotated for 4 minutes at the rate of 25 revolutions/min. After rotation, the coke is taken
out and screened through standard round holes. The percentage coke retained on 40mm and
that passing through 10mm screens are designated as M40 and M10 indices respectively. The

Vol.5, No.2 Characterization of Ajaokuta Coke 157
former indicates the resistance of the coke to breakage by impact and the latter by
abrasion[3]. For the blast furnace operation at the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, the coke
characteristics requirements are as follows [4].
Ash content (db) – max. 1.2%
Volatile matter (daf) – max. 2.0%
International Standard Organization (ISO) M40 – min. 78%
ISO M10 – max. 9%
Moisture – 1% maximum if dry quenched and 4%, maximum if wet quenched.
On completion of its first phase, the integrated steel plant at Ajaokuta will require 1.3 million
tons of coke to produce 1.3 million tons of liquid iron [5]. The total world consumption of
coke for 1990 was put at 376 million tons. The specific coke consumption per ton of hot
metal for 1990 was 6.25 ton, 5.61 ton and 4.8 ton for France, Germany and Japan
respectively [6].
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Materials
About 300kg of coke was received from the Ajaokuta Steel Plant (ASP) for pilot scale
characterization at the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC), Jos.
Methods
250g sample of the coke was subjected to coke stabilization, size distribution and micum
drum tests to determine the micum indices that indicate the mechanical strength of the coke
for blast furnace ironmaking. The proximate analysis of the sample was also carried out. The
experimental procedures involved are outlined as follows:

158 Adeleke, Makan and Ibitoye Vol.5, No.2
Proximate Analysis
Proximate analysis involves determination for moisture, volatile matter, ash and fixed
carbon. Samples ground and screened to pass 250 microns were used to determine each
parameter.
Moisture
The silica crucible was preheated at 110
0
C for 1hour and allowed to cool to room
temperature. One gramme of coke sample was then heated for 1hour. The loss in weight
accounts for the moisture content f the coke.
Volatile matter
The standard silica crucible was preheated in a muffle furnace at 900
0
C for 7 minutes. One
gramme of coke was then heated in the silica crucible at 900
0
C for 7 minutes. The loss in
weight gives the volatile matter.
Ash content determination
The standard silica crucible was preheated in the muffle furnace at 825
0
C for 1hour. It was
then cooled in the desiccators and weighed. One gramme coke sample was now placed in the
crucible and heated at 825
0
C for 1hour with the lid on. The crucible and its content was then
cooled in the desiccators and weighed. The weight of the incombustible residue accounts for
ash content.
Fixed Carbon
The fixed carbon for the coke was determined by calculation with the relation:
Fixed carbon = 100 – moisture % - ash % - volatile matter % (1)
The results of proximate analysis are presented in Table 1.

Vol.5, No.2 Characterization of Ajaokuta Coke 159
Table 1: Proximate Analysis of Ajaokuta Coke Sample
S/No Parameters Value (%)
1. Moisture 0.38
2. Ash (nd) 13.45
3. Ash (db) 13.50
4. Volatile matter (ad) 2.34
5. Volatile matter (db) 2.35
6. Volatile matter (daf) 2.72
7. Fixed Carbon (ad) 84.15
8. Fixed Carbon (daf) 97.66
9. Sulphur (ad) 0.14
10. Sulphur (db) 0.14
Note: ad – as determined, db – dried basis, daf – dried ash free
Determination of total sulphur in coke by Eschka method
The method involves igniting 1g of coke sample and Eschka mixture (2 parts of magnesium
oxide with 1 part anhydrous sodium carbonate). The sulphur is dissolved in water and then
precipitated as barium sulphate. The precipitate is then filtered, ashed and weighed. The
experimental procedure is as follows: One gramme of coke sample was weighed into a 30ml
porcelain crucible and mixed with 3g of Eschka mixture. The blank and the standard sample
were prepared in a similar manner. The crucibles were then placed in a cold muffle furnace
and gradually heated to 800
0
C for about 60 minutes. The temperature was maintained for an
additional 60 minutes. The crucibles were removed, slightly cooled and stirred to ensure that
no black coke particles occur. The crucibles were them emptied into 400ml beakers
containing 100mls of hot water. Digestion was done for 45 minutes, with occasional stirring.
The solution in each beaker was now decanted through 540 filter paper into a 400ml beaker.

160 Adeleke, Makan and Ibitoye Vol.5, No.2
The insoluble material in the first beaker was thoroughly washed with hot water. After
washing in this manner, the solid was transferred to the filter paper and washed 5 times with
hot water. The filtrate volume was about 250ml. The residue was then discarded. Three
drops of methyl orange indicator was added. Sodium hydroxide was then added drop wise
until just neutral.
Then, 1ml of hydrochloric acid was added to just acid and 25 ml of potassium sulphate was
also added using an ‘A’ grade pipette. The sample was now heated to boiling and 10mls of
barium chloride solution was slowly added with stirring. The solution was maintained near
boiling for 30 minutes and then stood overnight. The solution was then filtered with No 42
paper and washed well with hot water. The wet filter paper was placed into a crucible and
ignited for 15 minutes. The paper was gradually smoked off in the muffle furnace, avoiding
burning. The temperature was then gradually raised to 800
0
C and maintained for 1 hour. The
crucible was cooled and barium sulphate weighted. Total sulphur is calculated as follows:
Total sulphur % = ( A – B)/C x 13.74 (2)
Where A = mass of barium sulphate from sample
B = mass of barium sulphate from blank
C = mass of sample used
The results of sulphur analysis by Eschka method is shown in Table 1.
Determination of micum indices
The determination of micum indices involves coke stabilization, coke screening and micum
drum test. Coke stabilization involves dropping 250kg of coke from a height of 5.0m into a

Vol.5, No.2 Characterization of Ajaokuta Coke 161
receiver once. In coke screening, the stabilized coke was screened through screens of round
holes sizes <10, 10-20, 20-40, 40-60, 60-80 and >80mm. For micum drum test, 50kg of the
coke screened in the coke screening stage not passing a round hole sieve of modulus 48
(63mm) was rotated 25 revolutions/min for 4 minutes and then subjected to coke screening
again. The micum 10 (M10) was determined as the percentage of the coke residue below
10mm size, while micum 40 (M40) was the percentage of the residue above 40mm sieve
size. The results obtained in size distribution test is shown in Table 2 and the micum indices
in Table 3.
Table 2: Size Distribution of Ajaokuta Coke
S/No Sieve Size % Distribution
1. -10mm 2.81
2. 10 – 20mm 1.93
3. 20 – 40mm 15.54
4. 40 – 60mm 30.92
5. 60 – 80mm 26.85
6. +80mm 21.96
Table 3: Micum drum Indices of Ajaokuta Coke
Micum Drum Indices Results
M10 3.62%
M40 89.67

162 Adeleke, Makan and Ibitoye Vol.5, No.2
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
The moisture content of 0.38% for the coke falls within the range required for the operation
of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant blast furnace [4]. The moisture content is also far lower than
2.52%, and 4.6% reported for Usinor and Ijmuiden coke plants respectively [7,8]. However
the ash content of 13.45% exceeds the limit required for Ajaokuta, and also far exceeds the
9.7% reported for both Ijmuiden and Usinor coke plants and 13.35% for China coke with
titanoferrous magnetite addition [9]. However, the ash content of 13.45% determined is far
lower than 24%, for typical Indian coke [3].
The ash in coke is of great significance in the blast furnace operation. High ash lowers the
carbon content and requires the use of more limestone as fluxes and thus the use of more
energy for slagging. This results in increased coke rate and lower efficiency of the
metallurgical process. It has been reported that 1% increase in ash causes an increase of 1.5-
2% in coke rate, 1.5% in flux rate and lower blast furnace efficiency by 3-5%[3].
The volatile matter of 2.72% determined for the coke exceeds the limit of 2.0% set for the
coke to be used in Ajaokuta. The sulphur content of 0.14% meets the requirement for
Ajaokuta and is lower than 0.61% and 0.83 – 0.91% determined for Indian and German coke
respectively [3,10]. The sulphur content is also lower than 0.48% reported for Chinese coke
[8]. It is also lower than 0.55 – 0.60% in coke for efficient, high productivity blast furnace in
United Kingdom [11]. Sulphur in iron can exist either as iron sulphide (FeS) or manganese
sulphide (MnS). The ferrous sulphide forms brittle, low melting point, yellowish brown films
round the solid steel crystals and causes the metal to split when forged. It also tends to
promote the formation of cementite and thus a harder iron [12]. The micum indices of M10
of 3.62% and M40 at 89.67% satisfy the requirements for blast furnace operations at

Vol.5, No.2 Characterization of Ajaokuta Coke 163
Ajaokuta. The M40 value is better than 73 – 76.41% determined for coke produced by
stamped charging in Germany [13]. The M40 of 84 – 89% for some Japanese coke are also
lower than for the Ajaokuta coke [11]. The M10 of 5.6-6.2% and 5.5-7.0% determined
respectively for the German and Japanese coke show that the the two coke have lower
abrasion resistance in comparison to the Ajaokuta coke.
CONCLUSION
The coke supplied to the Ajaokuta Steel Plant has been shown to partially meet the basic
chemical, physical and mechanical characteristics required of coke for blast furnace
ironmaking. The micum indices, M10 and M40 values of 3.62% and 89.67% meet the
requirement for resistance to abrasion and fragmentation respectively, while the sulphur
content of 0.14% is far lower than the upper limit of 0.9% for metallurgical coke. However,
the ash and volatile contents exceed the specified limits except for Indian standard practice.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors hereby gratefully acknowledge the experimental contributions of Messer Agabi
and Sani, both of Coke Oven pilot plant (COPP), National Metallurgical Development
Centre, Jos.
REFERENCES
[1] Loison, R., Foch, P. and Boyer, A., 1989, Coke quality and production,
Butterworth, London.

164 Adeleke, Makan and Ibitoye Vol.5, No.2
[2] National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) manual for pilot scale
coke over plant, 1994, Jos, Nigeria.
[3] Moitra, A.K., Banerjee, N.G. Shrinkhande, K.Y., Sing, K. Raja, K. and Banerjee,
S (1992): Studies on coal carbonization in India, Central Fuel Research Institute (CFRI)
publication, Calcutta.
[4] Federal Ministry of Mines, Power and Steel circular, 1992, on Carbonization
tests for Ajaokuta coke requirements, Lagos, Nigeria.
[5] Task force, 1987, on the maximum utilization of Nigerian coals at the Ajaokuta
Steel Plant, Lagos, Nigeria.
[6] Anderson, D.F., 1992, “Trends in demand for and supply of coal and coke”, 2
nd
international cokemaking congress, London, pp. 9.
[7] Garin, J., Pol, F. and Poulet, Ph., 1987, “Coal selection and blending practice at the
USINOR coke oven plant”, 1
st
international cokemaking congress, Essen, section III. 2.
[8] Brouwer, R. C., Schoone, E.E. and Toxopeus, H.L., 1992, “Coal Injection driven to
the limits”, Iron and Steel Engineer, Vol. 69, No 12, pp. 22.
[9] Zhan, X. and Xu, C., 1987, “The behaviour of coke by use of titaniferrous magnetite
in blast furnace’, 1
st
international cokemaking congress, Essen, Section 12.
[10] Weskamp, W., Rhode, W., Stewen, E., and Habermehl, D., 1987, “Greater
coke strength through reactive additives to coking blends”, 1
st
International
Cokemaking Congress, Essen, Section III. I.
[11] Willmers R.R. and Bennington, C.R., 1992, “Coke quality requirements for
efficient, high productivity blast furnace operation at high coal injection rates”, 2
nd
international coke making congress, London, pp. 275.

Vol.5, No.2 Characterization of Ajaokuta Coke 165
[12] Rollason, E.C., 1973, Metallurgy for Engineers, The English Language Book
Society and Edward Arnold Publisher.
[13] Echterhoff, J., Killich, H.J. and Frick, H., 1992, “Production of blast furnace
coke by stamp charging and utilization of recycled coke breeze”, 2
nd
international cokemaking congress, London, pp. 188.