Universal steel production is all dependent on coal. About 74% of all steel that is produced incorporates the use of coal. Cooking coal or metallurgical coal is a crucial ingredient in the manufacturing process of steel. Back in 2017, the global steel production stood at 1.6 billion tonnes.
Manufacturing of steel ensures that various services and goods in our society are provided and delivered. Some of these services include telecommunication, healthcare, improved transports networks, better agricultural practices, affordable energy and access to clean water for drinking and doing all other home and industrial chores.
Academically, steel is an alloy that is based on iron. Iron occurs as an oxide deep in the earth’s crust. However, the Iron oxides are supposed to be converted into a more reduced carbon. Cooking coal is the primary source of carbon.
Steel is derived from various raw materials. These resources are brought and mixed up together at different quantities to form steel. Let’s take a look at the various raw materials that are involved in steel making.
Coke Making
First and foremost, coking coal is transformed into coke. This is done by the removal of impurities almost leaving behind a pure carbon. Coking physical properties make coal to soften, resolidify and liquefy into a harder but lumpy porous. They become lumpy when they are heated without the presence of air.
Coking coal is also needed when it has decreased in amounts of Sulphur and phosphorus. Practically, all metallurgical coal is utilized while still in coal ovens. The coking process entails a number of processes. They include heating the coking coal at temperatures ranging at 1000-1000 degrees Celsius.
The heating should be done in the absence of oxygen. The essence for not involving oxygen is to drive off volatile compounds. The end product of the process is a solid porous material which is referred to as coke. A battery is where coke is produced. A coke battery consists of several coke ovens. These ovens are well stacked into rows which coal is then loaded.
Ironmaking
Iron ore is found in almost 50 nations. It’s only in these nations that iron ore is mined. The most significant producers of iron ore are Brazil, Australia and China. The most share of iron is utilized in steel making. The iron making process is quite lengthy. Iron is a final product of a mixture of coke, iron ore and other small portions of minerals such as limestone.
Massive steel metals are produced which are then cut and divided into smaller pieces of steel. This steel is the one that is modelled into various tools. Such a metal is heavy and takes time to cut. Professionals prefer to use industrial cutting fluids to undertake the job.
Steel is a key proprietor of many nation’s economies like the United States, China and Japan. Steel is used in the making of plenty of infrastructures like bridges, railways and industries. It’s in these industries that very many jobs are created. Resources like roads and bridges facilitate people to move from one point to another, therefore, growing a country’s economy.