Mechanical compaction of coking coals for carbonization in stamp-charging coke oven batteries

The density of the coal charge plays an important role in the coke quality. The increase of the bulk density usually improves the coke strength due to increased coal particle contact and increased coke density. There are a few possibilities to increase the coal charge bulk density: adjusting the grain size distribution or moisture content (drying), oil addition and mechanical treatment (e.g., partial briquetting or stamping). A renewed interest in stamp charging cokemaking technology has been observed in recent years, especially in Asia, but also in Europe (Poland, Germany and Ukraine). The paper presents the results of studies on the effects of selected factors on the coal cake density and mechanical strength i.e. stamping energy, coal type, water content and crushing fineness. There is possibility to influence these parameters in industrial conditions. The investigations were carried out with use of mechanical stamping apparatus and strength testing machine specially designed for this purpose.