Indian met coke makers reduce capacity utilization to one-third amid rising imports

Indian met coke makers reduce capacity utilization to one-third amid rising imports

Subject: Geography

Section :Economic geography

Context:

• Indian met coke or metallurgical coal producers are operating at 30-35 per cent of their capacities (one-third of their installed capacity) in the face of increased imports.

Details:

• Met Coke is a key steel-making feedstock, and India is the second largest crude steel maker in the world.
• Bhutan (1st), India (2nd) and Pakistan (3rd) are the top 3 importers of met coke in the world.
• India imports most of its Metallurgical coke from China, Poland and Colombia and is the 2nd largest importer of Metallurgical coke in the World.

Factors Influencing Increased Imports:

• The Russia-Ukraine conflict and sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries.
• The global increase in coal prices, driven by higher raw material costs (coking coal).
• Sanctions on Russia, a major coal exporter, have caused supply constraints and price hikes.

About Metallurgical Coke:

• Metallurgical coke, also known as met coke or coke breeze, is a carbonaceous material derived from the destructive distillation of coal in the absence of air.
• It is a hard, porous, and carbon-rich material with high carbon content (typically ranging from 85% to 90%).

Production Process:

• Metallurgical coke is produced by heating specific grades of coal in the absence of air in a coke oven or coking chamber.
• The coal is heated to high temperatures (around 1000 to 1100 degrees Celsius) in the presence of controlled amounts of heat and pressure.
• The volatile components of coal, such as water, tar, and gases, are driven off, leaving behind the solid carbonaceous residue known as metallurgical coke.

Properties and Characteristics:

• Metallurgical coke has several important properties that make it suitable for various industrial applications:

1. High Carbon Content: Met Coke has a high carbon content, which provides it with excellent fuel properties and makes it an efficient source of heat in industrial processes.
2. Porosity: It possesses a porous structure that allows for the efficient flow of gases and facilitates the combustion process.
3. Low Moisture Content: Met Coke has a low moisture content, which contributes to its high calorific value and ensures efficient burning.
4. High Strength: It has good mechanical strength, enabling it to withstand the physical demands of industrial operations.
5. Low Ash Content: Met Coke has relatively low ash content, which reduces impurities and helps maintain product quality.

Applications:

• Metallurgical coke finds extensive use in various industries:

1. Steel Production: It serves as a primary fuel and reducing agent in blast furnaces for the production of iron and steel. Met coke reacts with iron ore to remove impurities, facilitating the extraction of molten iron.
2. Chemical Industry: Met Coke is used in the production of chemicals, such as calcium carbide, which is essential for manufacturing acetylene gas, synthetic rubber, and other chemical compounds.
3. Foundries: It is utilized in foundries for melting metals and alloys, providing the necessary heat and reducing agents for the casting process.
4. Ferroalloy Production: Met coke is crucial in the production of ferroalloys, which are alloy metals used in the steelmaking process to introduce specific desirable properties.
5. Pig Iron Production: It is employed in the manufacturing of pig iron, an intermediate product used in the production of steel and cast iron.

Importance in the Steel Industry:

• Metallurgical coke plays a vital role in the steel industry due to the following reasons:

1. Fuel Source: It provides the primary source of fuel for the intense heat required in blast furnaces during iron and steel production.
2. Chemical Reducing Agent: Met Coke acts as a reducing agent by reacting with iron ore, facilitating the extraction of iron and removing impurities.
3. Structural Support: The strength and porosity of met coke allow for the uniform distribution of gases, ensuring efficient combustion and maintaining furnace integrity.

Environmental Concerns:

• The production and use of metallurgical coke raise environmental concerns due to its association with carbon emissions and air pollution.
• Efforts are being made to develop alternative processes and technologies that reduce the environmental impact of coke production, such as the use of bio-coke or carbon capture and storage (CCS) techniques.