Milling Process of Petroleum Coke for Sintered Steel Applications

Abstract

The effect of milling on different properties of a petroleum coke has been evaluated. The material was subjected to planetary milling at two different rates (400 and 600 rev min-1) for different times up to 48 h. The milled material was characterised by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, sieve analysis, thermal analysis, chemical analysis, specific surface area and compressibility has been undertaken. The results show that the milling produces a very quick loss of the crystal structure of the coke and a rapid comminution, which lead to large increases in specific surface area and compressibility losses. The coke has shown a high activity through the milling process, absorbing a great quantity of oxygen. The increase in milling time shifts its thermal decomposition to lower temperatures.