Coking Coal

About Coking Coal:

• It is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock found within the earth’s crust.
• It is also known as Metallurgical coal.
• Characteristics: It is a type of coal that softens and swells when heated, forming lightweight, porous coke particles, and is characterized by a free swelling index of 1 or greater.
• It typically contains more carbon, less ash, and less moisture than thermal coal, which is used for electricity generation.
• Coke is the main product of the high-temperature carbonisation of coking coal.
• Coking coal is divided into 3 sub-categories namely,
  • Primary Coking Coal (Low ash , low Volatile, High Coking property)
  • Medium Coking Coal (low ash, medium volatile, low caking index)
  • Blendable/ Semi/Weak Coking Coal (low ash, high volatile, very low caking index).
• Global Producers: The largest producers of coking coal were China, Australia, Russia, USA and Canada.
  • In India coking coal resources are largely located in Jharkhand, with additional reserves in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh.
• Uses of Coking Coal:
  • It is essential for metallurgical processes, as it exhibits caking properties that allow it to fuse into a solid mass during heating.
  • It is an essential ingredient in the production of steel, making it one of the most widely used building materials on earth.