Petroleum Coke (Petcoke) is a carbonaceous solid material derived from oil refinery coker units or other cracking processes. It is a byproduct of the oil refining process, specifically from the thermal decomposition of heavy residual oils. Heres a detailed description:
1. Composition: Primarily composed of carbon (90-95%).Contains small amounts of sulfur, nitrogen, and metals (e.g., vanadium, nickel).Low in ash content compared to coal.
2. Types of Petroleum Coke: Fuel-grade Petcoke: Used as a fuel in power plants, cement kilns, and industrial boilers due to its high calorific value. Calcined Petcoke: Produced by heating raw petroleum coke to remove volatile matter and moisture and used in the production of anodes for the aluminum and steel industries.
3. Physical Properties: Appearance: Black or dark gray solid.Texture: Can range from a porous, sponge-like material to a hard, dense substance. Density: Varies depending on the type (fuel-grade or calcined).
Petroleum coke is a valuable industrial material, but its use must be balanced with environmental considerations to minimize its impact.