IJEART

Formulation of binary blend of coal-bitumen by weight (blend design involving 10 % bitumen and 90 % of preheated coal samples at about 150 ^oC) was carried out. The blend was then partially briquetted to increase the bulk density. The feasibility of the blend for the metallurgical coke production was investigated by physico-chemical analysis which revealed that the coking properties of the blend had been improved: particularly the Simonis’ Coking Index (SCI) in LMZ and SKJ which was 0.92 and 0.99. The partial briquetted blend was co-carbonized at high temperature (about 1100 ^oC) for 15 hours for the metallurgical coke. The calorific value and chemical analysis of the metallurgical coke produced were carried out and the result of SKJ coke found to be close to the acceptable range for use in a blast furnace. Furthermore, the fissuring and abrasion index of the metallurgical coke were evaluated, and only SKJ coke has promising results: Micum 10 (M10) = 26.87 % and M40 = 65.69 % that almost meet the specifications for blast furnace, particularly Ajaokuta Steel Company, Kogi state of Nigeria. The results of this study revealed that the use of bitumen as a bonding substance has upgraded the weakly coking coal to cokeable blend for metallurgical coke making.