SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 6
Download to read offline
IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)
e-ISSN: 2278-1684,p-ISSN: 2320-334X, Volume 10, Issue 3 (Nov. - Dec. 2013), PP 06-11
www.iosrjournals.org
www.iosrjournals.org 6 | Page
Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal as a Viable
Alternative Fuel to Coke in Iron Melting In Nigeria
*Olorunnishola, A.A.G and **Akintunde, M.A
*Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
**Federal University Of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
Abstract: An experimental study was conducted to characterize erythrophleum suaveolens (Gwaska) charcoal.
The test was conducted for proximate analysis (involving the determination of moisture content, ash, volatile
matter and fixed carbon) and ultimate analysis (involving the determination of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen,
nitrogen sulphur and calorific value) of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal. The determined values of moisture,
ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon were 0.94%, 6.13%, 6.77% and 86.16% respectively. Also the determined
values of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur and calorific value were 77.5%, 9%, 5.48%, 1.89%,
0.003% and 7158.6995 Kcal/Kg respectively. Therefore, the gwaska charcoal satisfies the blast furnace
requirements for moisture, ash and sulphur in Nigeria. However, its volatile matter exceeds the specified limit
except for Indian standard practice. The erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal’s thermal properties showed that it
could compete favourably with coke and therefore can be an excellent reducing fuel for the production of iron.
Keywords: Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal, proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, coke
I. Introduction
Charcoal is dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water
and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow
pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen. It is usually an impure form of
carbon as it contains ash; however, sugar charcoal is among the purest forms of carbon readily available,
particularly if it is not made by heating but by a dehydration reaction with sulfuric acid to minimize introducing
new impurities, as impurities can be removed from the sugar in advance. The resulting soft, brittle, lightweight,
black, porous material resembles coal [20].
The primary sources of energy include; electricity, coal (coke), kerosene, gas, fuel wood (biomass) and
solar energy in recent times [17]. According to Center for Agric. Development [CAD] [6], in developing
countries, the predominant traditional sources of energy are fuel wood and charcoal, which are used primarily
for cooking and heating homes. Most fuel users prefer charcoal to firewood because it does not produce much
smoke, it can be ignited easily, it emits heat for a longer period of time and most importantly it is relatively
cheap. Charcoal is the solid residue remaining when wood is carbonized or pyrolized under controlled
conditions in a closed space such as charcoal kiln. According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations [FAO] [10], charcoal can be obtained from other organic substances such as coconut shell and
bones, which provide very important and valuable charcoal for specialized uses, but wood is the most frequently
used in developing countries. The physical and chemical properties of charcoal depend partly on the
carbonization process. In Nigeria, charcoal has a multipurpose value as it can be used for cooking, roasting,
dyeing and as the major source of energy for Goldsmith and Blacksmith workers [17]. The production of
charcoal could either be by modern technology or traditional method. However for any method used, the wood
should either be allowed to dry up naturally or be artificially dried before being carbonized.
For a long time charcoal was the only fuel and reducing agent used in iron production. Scarcity of
wood in some countries caused the development of coke as an alternative fuel and today coke dominates even in
most countries with large forest resources. Coke has become generally thought of as associated with the large,
highly productive blast furnaces of today and it is then easy to think of charcoal as less efficient. Although the
general trend has certainly been away from charcoal, charcoal blast furnaces are in operation in several countries
and there are even plans for expanding some of these operations. Economic conditions vary both between
countries and within them and it would therefore be of value to study the cases where charcoal is preferred in
order to determine the relevant economic and technical factors. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to make a
comprehensive study of the subject but certain data have become available which indicate that technical
progress in forestry, charcoal production, and blast furnace operations have been of great significance [9].
Constantine [7], states that "under modern conditions charcoal can be as economic and efficient as coke for
smelting iron ore in a standard blast furnace subject only to the provisions of adequate supply of raw materials."
At the same time, several of the papers submitted to the present symposium point out the scarcity and high price
of metallurgical coke, which often has to be transported over great distances.
Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal As A Viable Alternative Fuel To Coke In Iron
www.iosrjournals.org 7 | Page
Furthermore, from my field survey it is evident that the few available cupola furnaces in Nigeria are
conventional cupolas with poor energy efficiency while some other foundries using cupola furnaces have closed
down as a result of cost of coke, scarcity of coke, absence of any proven fuel substitute to coke and dwindling
profit margins. While the cost of Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal per tonne is fourty thousand naira ($250),
the cost of coke per tonne ranges between ninety and one hundred thousand naira ($625) in Nigeria. This
therefore has necessitated the need to characterize erythrophleum suaveolens (E.s) charcoal in order to establish
its viability as an alternative fuel to coke in iron melting.
1.1 Charcoal as Metallurgical Fuel
The use of charcoal as a smelting fuel has been experiencing a resurgence in South America following
Brazilian law changes in 2010 to reduce carbon emissions as part of President Lula da Silva's commitment to
make a "green steel” [14,15].
Charcoal burns at intense temperatures, up to 2700 degrees Celsius. By comparison the melting point
of iron is approximately 1200 to 1550 degrees Celsius [13]. Due to its porosity it is sensitive to the flow of air
and the heat generated can be moderated by controlling the air flow to the fire. For this reason charcoal is an
ideal fuel for a forge and is still widely used by blacksmiths. Charcoal is also an excellent reducing fuel for the
production of iron and has been used that way since Roman times. In the 16th century England had to pass laws
to prevent the country from becoming completely denuded of trees due to production of iron. In the 19th century
charcoal was largely replaced by coke, baked coal, in steel making due to cost. Charcoal is far superior fuel to
coke, however, because it burns hotter and has no sulfur. Until World War II charcoal was still being used in
Sweden to make ultra high-quality steel. In steel-making, charcoal is not only a fuel, but a source for the carbon
in the steel [13].
1.2 Erythrophleum Suaveolens (Gwaska) wood
Erythrophleum suaveolens is the tree whose charcoal is used in this research work. The
vernacular names include; Forest ordeal tree, red water tree, sasswood tree (English). Boisrouge,
poison d‟épreuve, tali, grand tali, mancône (French) [18]. Gwaska (Hausa).
Origin and geographic distribution
Erythrophleum suaveolens is distributed from Senegal to Sudan and Kenya in the east and from there south to
Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It has been introduced as an ornamental in tropical Asia [18]. This tree is also
available in North Central and South West Nigeria.
Uses
The bark, traded as „sassy-bark‟, „mancona bark‟ or „casca bark‟ is used as emetic and purgative. The crushed
bark is applied to swellings caused by Filaria. In DR Congo the dried powdered bark is taken as a snuff to cure
headache. In Kenya a diluted decoction of the roots is used as an anthelminthic, especially against tapeworm. In
Malawi a decoction of the roots and bark is applied to soothe general body pain. Pieces of root or bark are a
protective and love charm. The bark has been used in arrow poisons and as ordeal poison and the bark and
leaves as fish poison. The use as an anaesthetic for fish in aquaculture is tricky as small differences in dosage
will kill, rather than stupefy fish. In the Western world, bark extracts were used in the late 19th
century to treat
heart failure [3]. Side effects and better results with digitoxine ended this practice. The tree produces quite hard,
heavy and durable wood, marketed as „alui‟, „tali‟, „erun‟, „missanda‟ or „sasswood‟, which is suitable for
joinery, flooring, railway sleepers, harbour and dock work, turnery, construction and bridges. It is also used for
boat building and wheel hubs. The bark has been used in West Africa for tanning hides and skins; it is used in
DR Congo to colour leather brown. Erythrophleum suaveolens is planted as an ornamental and avenue tree. In
West Africa the powdered bark is mixed with the residue of palm oil processing, and after boiling it is mixed
with seeds of maize, cowpea or cotton, which effectively reduces pest damage to the seeds [5]. Dried leaves are
mixed with stored grains and pulses to repel or kill storage insects. The use in agroforestry has been promoted:
nitrogen fixation and the large amount of leaf litter are advantageous to intercrops. However, in experiments a
negative effect of Erythrophleum suaveolens leaf mulch on the yield of crops has been noted. When clearing
bush to prepare fields, trees are often left standing because the wood is hard and felling is too taxing.
Erythrophleum suaveolens wood is not highly valued as firewood but charcoal made from it is excellent [18].
1.3 Description
Medium-sized tree up to 25(–30) m tall (Plate I), often branching low; bark finely fissured, scaly, grey;
twigs glabrous. Leaves alternate, bipinnately compound with 2–4 pairs of pinnae; stipules minute, soon falling;
petiole and rachis up to 35 cm long, petiole thickened at base; leaflets alternate, 7–14 per pinna, ovate to ovate-
elliptical, up to 9 cm × 5.5 cm, base asymmetrical, apex obtusely acuminate. Inflorescence an axillary panicle
Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal As A Viable Alternative Fuel To Coke In Iron
www.iosrjournals.org 8 | Page
consisting of spike-like racemes up to 12 cm long, shortly yellowish hairy. Flowers bisexual, regular, 5-merous,
yellowish white to greenish yellow; pedicel c. 1.5 mm long, reddish hairy; calyx lobes 1–1.5 mm long; petals 2–
3 mm × 0.5 mm, short hairy at margins; stamens 10, free, c. 5 mm long; ovary superior, rusty hairy, 1-celled,
stigma cup-shaped. Fruit a flat, slightly curved, dehiscent pod 5–17 cm × 3–5 cm, stipe often lateral, broadly
rounded at apex, pendulous, 6–11-seeded. Seeds oblong ellipsoid, 15 mm × 11 mm × 5 mm [18].
Plate I: Erythrophleum suaveolens (Gwaska) tree
Source: Okeyo (2006)
II. Characterization Of Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal
2.1 Sample Collection
The sample of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal used in this work was sourced from a charcoal
dealer based in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria. The charcoal was produced by slow pyrolysis.
2.1 Proximate Analysis
Proximate Analysis involves determination for moisture, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon. The
methods used in this work were adopted from [1].
2.1.1 Moisture content
The silica crucible for the test was preheated at 105o
C for 1 hour. One gramme of erythrophleum
suaveolens charcoal sample was then placed in the crucible and heated at 105o
C for 1 hour. The loss in weight
accounts for the moisture content.
2.1.2 Volatile matter
The standard crucible was preheated in the muffle furnace at 970o
C for 7 minutes. The crucible was
cooled in the desiccators and 1 gramme of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal sample was placed in it with
three drops of benzene. The crucible (with the lid on) was now placed in the muffle furnace at 970o
C for 7
minutes. The loss in weight accounts for the volatile content of the charcoal.
2.1.3 Ash
The standard silica crucible was preheated at 8250
C for 1 hour. It was then cooled in the desiccators.
One gramme of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal sample was placed in the crucible (with the lid on) and it
was heated at 825o
C for1 hour. The incombustible residue gives the ash content of the charcoal.
2.1.4 Fixed carbon
The fixed carbon is obtained from the relation:
Fixed carbon% = 100 – Moisture % - Ash% - Volatile matter% …1
2.1.5 Determination of total sulphur in erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal by Eschka method
The method involves igniting 1g of charcoal sample and Eschka mixture (2 parts of magnesium oxide
with 1 part anhydrous sodium carbonate). The sulphur is dissolved in water and then precipitated as barium
sulphate. The precipitate is then filtered, ashed and weighed. The experimental procedure is as follows: One
gramme of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal sample was weighed into a 30ml porcelain crucible and mixed
with 3g of Eschka mixture. The blank and the standard sample were prepared in a similar manner. The crucibles
Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal As A Viable Alternative Fuel To Coke In Iron
www.iosrjournals.org 9 | Page
were then placed in a cold muffle furnace and gradually heated to 8000
C for about 60 minutes. The temperature
was maintained for an additional 60 minutes. The crucibles were removed, slightly cooled and stirred to ensure
that no black charcoal particles occur. The crucibles were them emptied into 400ml beakers containing 100mls
of hot water. Digestion was done for 45 minutes, with occasional stirring. The solution in each beaker was now
decanted through 540 filter paper into a 400ml beaker.
The insoluble material in the first beaker was thoroughly washed with hot water. After washing in this
manner, the solid was transferred to the filter paper and washed 5 times with hot water. The filtrate volume was
about 250ml. The residue was then discarded. Three drops of methyl orange indicator was added. Sodium
hydroxide was then added drop wise until just neutral.
Then, 1ml of hydrochloric acid was added to just acid and 25 ml of potassium sulphate was also added
using an „A‟ grade pipette. The sample was now heated to boiling and 10mls of barium chloride solution was
slowly added with stirring. The solution was maintained near boiling for 30 minutes and then stood overnight.
The solution was then filtered with No 42 paper and washed well with hot water. The wet filter paper was
placed into a crucible and ignited for 15 minutes. The paper was gradually smoked off in the muffle furnace,
avoiding burning. The temperature was then gradually raised to 8000
C and maintained for 1 hour. The crucible
was cooled and barium sulphate weighted. Total sulphur is calculated as follows:
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑝ℎ𝑢𝑟 % =
(𝐴−𝐵)
𝐶
× 13.74 …2
Where A = mass of barium sulphate from sample
B = mass of barium sulphate from blank
C = mass of sample used
The results of the proximate analysis of Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal are as presented in Table 1.
Table 1: Results of proximate analysis of Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal
S/NO Parameters % Erythrophleum Suaveolens charcoal
1 Moisture 0.94
2 Ash 6.13
3 Volatile matter 6.77
4
5
Fixed carbon
Sulphur (ad)
86.16
0.003
2.2 Ultimate Analysis
The ultimate analysis results (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen) of erythrophleum suaveolens
charcoal were calculated using equations 25, 26 and 27 as shown in Table 2. The calorific value of the charcoal
sample was determined at the Grand Cereals Limited, Jos, Plateau State while Eschka method as described
above was used to determine the total sulphur content of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal as presented in
Table 2.
Calculation of carbon and hydrogen from calorific value (Q) and volatile matter (VM) are given by equations 25
and 26 respectively [12].
𝐶 = 0.59
𝑄
2.3
+
1.1𝑉𝑀
3
+ 43.4 …26
𝐻 = 0.069
𝑄
2.3
+ 𝑉𝑀 − 2.8
…27
Also oxygen was determined by using Seyler formula as presented below:
𝑄 = 0.51883𝐶 + 1.625011 − 17.87 + 0.001 𝑂 2
𝑀𝐽/𝐾𝑔 …28
Table 2: Results of ultimate analysis of Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal
S/NO Parameters Erythrophleum Suaveolens charcoal (ad)
1 % C 77.5
2 % H 9
3 % O 5.48
4
5
6
7
% N
% Ash
sulphur
Calorific value raw (Kcal./Kg)
1.89
6.13
0.003 (ad)
7158.6995
Note: ad-as determined
Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal As A Viable Alternative Fuel To Coke In Iron
www.iosrjournals.org 10 | Page
Table 3: Proximate analysis of Ajaokuta coke sample
S/No Parameters Value (%)
1 Moisture 0.38
2 Ash (ad) 13.45
3 Ash (db) 13.50
4 Volatile matter (ad) 2.34
5 Volatile matter (db) 2.35
6 Volatile matter (daf) 2.72
7 Fixed Carbon (ad) 84.15
8 Fixed Carbon (daf) 97.66
9 Sulphur (ad) 0.14
10 Sulphur (db) 0.14
Source: Adeleke, et al (2006)
2.3 Discussion of Characterization Results
The moisture content of 0.94% for the erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal is higher than 0.38 %
obtained for Ajaokuta coke (Table 3) and exceeds the range required for the operation of the Ajaokuta Steel
Plant blast furnace [11]. However the ash content of 6.13 % is far lower than 13.45% reported for Ajaokuta coke
within the limit required for Ajaokuta. Furthermore, the ash content of 6.13% determined is far lower than 24%,
for typical Indian coke [15].
The ash in coke is of great significance in the blast/cupola furnace operation. High ash lowers the
carbon content and requires the use of more limestone as fluxes and thus the use of more energy for slagging.
This results in increased coke rate and lower efficiency of the metallurgical process. It has been reported that 1%
increase in ash causes an increase of 1.5-2% in coke rate, 1.5% in flux rate and lower blast furnace efficiency by
3-5% [15].
The volatile matter of 6.77% determined for the erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal is higher that
2.72% reported for Ajaokuta coke and within the upper limit of 30.3% specified for Ajaokuta Steel Plant (Raw
materials, 1994). Very high volatile generally reduce solid fuel output. The sulphur contents of 0.003% and
0.14% for erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal and coke meet the requirement for Ajaokuta (0.9%) and is lower
than 0.61% and 0.83 – 0.91% determined for Indian and German coke respectively [21]. The sulphur content is
also lower than 0.48% reported for Chinese coke [4]. It is also lower than 0.55 – 0.60% in coke for efficient,
high productivity blast furnace in United Kingdom [22]. Sulphur in iron can exist either as iron sulphide (FeS)
or manganese sulphide (MnS). The ferrous sulphide forms brittle, low melting point, yellowish brown films
round the solid cast iron or steel crystals and causes the metal to split when forged. It also tends to promote the
formation of cementite and thus a harder iron [19]. The calorific value of 7158.6995Kcal/Kg (30,066.54kJ/kg)
was determined for Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal. The reported value of 30,500kJ/kg for coke by Eastop
and McConkey [8] showed that erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal can compete favourably with coke.
III. Conclusion
The following could be concluded from this work:
i. The characterization showed that the ash content of 6.13 % for Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal is lower
than 13.45% reported for Ajaokuta coke and is far lower than 24%, for typical Indian coke. This may result
in decreased erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal rate and higher efficiency of the metallurgical process.
ii. The sulphur contents of 0.003% and 0.14% for erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal and coke meet the
requirement for Ajaokuta and is lower than 0.61%, 0.48%, 0.55 – 0.60% and 0.83 – 0.91% determined for
Indian, Chinese, United Kingdom and German coke respectively. This lower sulphur content will prevent
the metal from splitting when forged and it will also reduce the formation of cementite and thus a softer
iron.
iii. The calorific value of 30,066.54kJ/kg determined for Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal, when compared
with the reported value of 30,500kJ/kg for coke showed that there was no significant difference between the
calorific values of coke and Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal.
iv. The above deductions showed that erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal‟s thermal properties can compete
favourably with that of coke and therefore can be an excellent reducing fuel for the production of iron. Also
the low sulphur content shows that erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal is more environmentally friendly
than coke.
IV. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Erythrophleum suaveolens is an important medicinal plant and further study of its pharmacology is
justified.
Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal As A Viable Alternative Fuel To Coke In Iron
www.iosrjournals.org 11 | Page
2. The charcoal made from it is excellent. Therefore, breeding and
management programmes should be started in our country (Nigeria) to enhance deliberate propagation and
establishment of erythrophleum suaveolens (Gwaska) tree in our indige-nous forests and plantations.
3. Nigeria has lost over N1 billion (U$6M) to illegal export of charcoal and logs from states in the South West
and North Central to the Middle East and Europe in the last four years [2]. Therefore, government should
prevent this and ensure that the charcoal and logs are retained for the use of local foundries.
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by Grand Cereals Limited, Jos, Plateau State and Department of Mechanical
Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. Therefore, the need to appreciate the Managements of
these two organizations for allowing the use of their quality control and thermodynamic laboratories facilities
respectively.
References
[1]. Adeleke, A.O., Makan, R.S. and Ibitoye, S.A. (2006). Characterization of Ajaokuta Coke for Blast Furnace Iron making. Journal of
Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, jmmce.org Vol. 5, No.2, pp 155-165. Printed in the USA. All rights
reserved.
[2]. Alex, Abutu. Nigeria’s Federal Government Loses N1 Billion to Illegal Charcoal, Wood Export. http://allafrica.com/stories.
Retrieved 2012-11-20
[3]. Ayensu, E.S., 1978. Medicinal plants of West Africa. Reference Publication, Michigan. P 330
[4]. Brouwer, R. C., Schoone, E.E. and Toxopeus, H.L., (1992). “Coal Injection driven to the limits”, Iron and Steel Engineer, Vol. 69,
No 12, pp. 22.
[5]. Burkill, H.M., 1995. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 3, Families J–L. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew,
Richmond, United Kingdom. P 857.
[6]. CAD., 1991. Wood for Energy in Nigeria, Center for Agric. Development, pp: 15-18
[7]. Constantine, A. Charcoal blast furnace operations, Wundowie, W. Australia. International symposium, 1963.
[8]. Eastop, T.D. and McConkey, A. (1993), Applied Thermodynamics for Technologists. Longman Singapore Publishers.
[9]. FAO STAFF. Paper prepared for a United Nations interregional Symposium on the Application of Modern Technical Practices in
the Iron and Steel Industry in Developing Countries, 1983.
[10]. FAO., 1990. The major significance of Minor forest products Rome, pp; 49.
[11]. Federal Ministry of Mines, Power and Steel circular, (1992), on Carbonization tests for Ajaokuta coke requirements, Lagos,
Nigeria.
[12]. Francis, W. Peters M C (ed) (1980). Fuels and Fuels Technology. Pergamon, New York.
[13]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:charcoal. Retrieved 2012-06-23
[14]. M. Kato1, D. M. DeMarini, A. B. Carvalho, M. A. V. Rego, A. V. Andrade1, A. S. V. Bonfim and D. Loomis (2004). "World at
work: Charcoal producing industries in northeastern Brazil". http://oem.bmj.com/content/62/2/128.full. Retrieved 16 September
2012
[15]. Michael Smith and David Voreacos (January 21, 2007). "Brazil: Enslaved workers make charcoal used to make basic steel
ingredient". Seattle Times. http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14328. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
[16]. Moitra, A.K., Banerjee, N.G. Shrinkhande, K.Y., Sing, K. Raja, K. and Banerjee, S (1992): Studies on coal carbonization in India,
Central Fuel Research Institute (CFRI) publication, Calcutta.
[17]. Ogunsanwo, O.Y., Aiyloja, A.A. and Uzo, C. (2007). Production Techniqueand the Influence of Wood Species on the Properties of
Charcoal in Nigeria, A Case Study of Oyo State. Agricultural Journal 2 (1).
[18]. Okeyo, J.M., 2006. Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). Prota
11(1): Medicinal plants/Plantes médicinales 1. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands.
[19]. Rollason, E.C., (1973). Metallurgy for Engineers, The English Language Book Society and Edward Arnold Publisher.
[20]. ^ "Using charcoal efficiently". http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5328E/x5328e0b.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
[21]. Weskamp, W., Rhode, W., Stewen, E., and Habermehl, D., (1987). “Greater coke strength through reactive additives to coking
blends”, 1st
International Cokemaking Congress, Essen, Section III. I.
[22]. Willmers R.R. and Bennington, C.R., (1992). “Coke quality requirements for efficient, high productivity blast furnace operation at
high coal injection rates”, 2nd
international coke making congress, London, pp. 275.

More Related Content

What's hot

PROMOTION OF COAL BRIQUETTE AS ALTERNATIVE TO FUEL
PROMOTION OF COAL BRIQUETTE AS ALTERNATIVE TO FUELPROMOTION OF COAL BRIQUETTE AS ALTERNATIVE TO FUEL
PROMOTION OF COAL BRIQUETTE AS ALTERNATIVE TO FUELAbubakar Umar Mungadi
 
convrntional soursrs
convrntional soursrsconvrntional soursrs
convrntional soursrsAnu varghese
 
8 coal and petroleum
8   coal and petroleum8   coal and petroleum
8 coal and petroleumthemassmaker
 
Coal and Petroleum
Coal and PetroleumCoal and Petroleum
Coal and PetroleumFiza A.
 
Coal ,its formation ,types and Distribution in pakistan
Coal ,its formation ,types and Distribution in pakistanCoal ,its formation ,types and Distribution in pakistan
Coal ,its formation ,types and Distribution in pakistanMuhammad Hamza Khan KaimKhani
 
Coal & Petroleum PPT
Coal & Petroleum PPTCoal & Petroleum PPT
Coal & Petroleum PPTQhudwa
 
Coal and petroleum.ppt
Coal and petroleum.pptCoal and petroleum.ppt
Coal and petroleum.pptShephali Bose
 
Coal and petroleum.
Coal and petroleum.Coal and petroleum.
Coal and petroleum.komalranawat
 
WHAT IF IT FINISHES...? - ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CBSE-V CBSE
WHAT IF IT FINISHES...? - ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CBSE-V CBSEWHAT IF IT FINISHES...? - ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CBSE-V CBSE
WHAT IF IT FINISHES...? - ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CBSE-V CBSEBIOLOGY TEACHER
 
Origin of coal b.sc.sem. v paper i final
Origin of coal b.sc.sem. v paper i finalOrigin of coal b.sc.sem. v paper i final
Origin of coal b.sc.sem. v paper i finalDRCHANDRAKANTDORLIKA1
 
Conventional & alternative energy plants; advantages and dis advantages
Conventional & alternative energy plants; advantages and dis advantagesConventional & alternative energy plants; advantages and dis advantages
Conventional & alternative energy plants; advantages and dis advantagesVishwaniLakmali
 
Coal and petroleum
Coal and petroleumCoal and petroleum
Coal and petroleumpallavi38
 
Coal & petroleum
Coal & petroleumCoal & petroleum
Coal & petroleumMalik Moazzam
 

What's hot (19)

PROMOTION OF COAL BRIQUETTE AS ALTERNATIVE TO FUEL
PROMOTION OF COAL BRIQUETTE AS ALTERNATIVE TO FUELPROMOTION OF COAL BRIQUETTE AS ALTERNATIVE TO FUEL
PROMOTION OF COAL BRIQUETTE AS ALTERNATIVE TO FUEL
 
convrntional soursrs
convrntional soursrsconvrntional soursrs
convrntional soursrs
 
Coal
CoalCoal
Coal
 
8 coal and petroleum
8   coal and petroleum8   coal and petroleum
8 coal and petroleum
 
Coal and Petroleum
Coal and PetroleumCoal and Petroleum
Coal and Petroleum
 
Coal presentation
Coal presentationCoal presentation
Coal presentation
 
Coal ,its formation ,types and Distribution in pakistan
Coal ,its formation ,types and Distribution in pakistanCoal ,its formation ,types and Distribution in pakistan
Coal ,its formation ,types and Distribution in pakistan
 
Coal & Petroleum PPT
Coal & Petroleum PPTCoal & Petroleum PPT
Coal & Petroleum PPT
 
Coal and petroleum.ppt
Coal and petroleum.pptCoal and petroleum.ppt
Coal and petroleum.ppt
 
Coal and petroleum.
Coal and petroleum.Coal and petroleum.
Coal and petroleum.
 
Coal utilization
Coal utilizationCoal utilization
Coal utilization
 
Coal and petroleum
Coal and petroleumCoal and petroleum
Coal and petroleum
 
Coal and petroleum
Coal and petroleumCoal and petroleum
Coal and petroleum
 
WHAT IF IT FINISHES...? - ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CBSE-V CBSE
WHAT IF IT FINISHES...? - ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CBSE-V CBSEWHAT IF IT FINISHES...? - ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CBSE-V CBSE
WHAT IF IT FINISHES...? - ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CBSE-V CBSE
 
Origin of coal b.sc.sem. v paper i final
Origin of coal b.sc.sem. v paper i finalOrigin of coal b.sc.sem. v paper i final
Origin of coal b.sc.sem. v paper i final
 
Conventional & alternative energy plants; advantages and dis advantages
Conventional & alternative energy plants; advantages and dis advantagesConventional & alternative energy plants; advantages and dis advantages
Conventional & alternative energy plants; advantages and dis advantages
 
Coal and petroleum
Coal and petroleumCoal and petroleum
Coal and petroleum
 
Minerals and Energy Resources, Geog. class 10 cbse
Minerals and Energy Resources,  Geog. class 10 cbseMinerals and Energy Resources,  Geog. class 10 cbse
Minerals and Energy Resources, Geog. class 10 cbse
 
Coal & petroleum
Coal & petroleumCoal & petroleum
Coal & petroleum
 

Viewers also liked

Effects of Psychological Training on Mental Skills with Female Basketball Pla...
Effects of Psychological Training on Mental Skills with Female Basketball Pla...Effects of Psychological Training on Mental Skills with Female Basketball Pla...
Effects of Psychological Training on Mental Skills with Female Basketball Pla...IOSR Journals
 
Some Common Fixed Point Results for Expansive Mappings in a Cone Metric Space
Some Common Fixed Point Results for Expansive Mappings in a Cone Metric SpaceSome Common Fixed Point Results for Expansive Mappings in a Cone Metric Space
Some Common Fixed Point Results for Expansive Mappings in a Cone Metric SpaceIOSR Journals
 
Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analyses of Sachets Water Samples in Kano...
Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analyses of Sachets Water Samples in Kano...Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analyses of Sachets Water Samples in Kano...
Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analyses of Sachets Water Samples in Kano...IOSR Journals
 
Study to compare the DHFR enzyme activity when exposure to He-Ne laser and UV...
Study to compare the DHFR enzyme activity when exposure to He-Ne laser and UV...Study to compare the DHFR enzyme activity when exposure to He-Ne laser and UV...
Study to compare the DHFR enzyme activity when exposure to He-Ne laser and UV...IOSR Journals
 
Strongly Unique Best Simultaneous Coapproximation in Linear 2-Normed Spaces
Strongly Unique Best Simultaneous Coapproximation in Linear 2-Normed SpacesStrongly Unique Best Simultaneous Coapproximation in Linear 2-Normed Spaces
Strongly Unique Best Simultaneous Coapproximation in Linear 2-Normed SpacesIOSR Journals
 
Protein structure determination of insulin of zebra fish (Danio rerio) by hom...
Protein structure determination of insulin of zebra fish (Danio rerio) by hom...Protein structure determination of insulin of zebra fish (Danio rerio) by hom...
Protein structure determination of insulin of zebra fish (Danio rerio) by hom...IOSR Journals
 
Analysis of Cow’s Urine for Detection of Lipase Activity and Anti-Microbial P...
Analysis of Cow’s Urine for Detection of Lipase Activity and Anti-Microbial P...Analysis of Cow’s Urine for Detection of Lipase Activity and Anti-Microbial P...
Analysis of Cow’s Urine for Detection of Lipase Activity and Anti-Microbial P...IOSR Journals
 
Evaluation of Uptake of Methylene blue dye by Sulphonated biomass of Cicer ar...
Evaluation of Uptake of Methylene blue dye by Sulphonated biomass of Cicer ar...Evaluation of Uptake of Methylene blue dye by Sulphonated biomass of Cicer ar...
Evaluation of Uptake of Methylene blue dye by Sulphonated biomass of Cicer ar...IOSR Journals
 
Feature Extraction Based Estimation of Rain Fall By Cross Correlating Cloud R...
Feature Extraction Based Estimation of Rain Fall By Cross Correlating Cloud R...Feature Extraction Based Estimation of Rain Fall By Cross Correlating Cloud R...
Feature Extraction Based Estimation of Rain Fall By Cross Correlating Cloud R...IOSR Journals
 
Shrinkage of Polyester Fibre in Selected Chlorinated Solvents and Effects on ...
Shrinkage of Polyester Fibre in Selected Chlorinated Solvents and Effects on ...Shrinkage of Polyester Fibre in Selected Chlorinated Solvents and Effects on ...
Shrinkage of Polyester Fibre in Selected Chlorinated Solvents and Effects on ...IOSR Journals
 
FPGA Based Implementation of Electronic Safe Lock
FPGA Based Implementation of Electronic Safe LockFPGA Based Implementation of Electronic Safe Lock
FPGA Based Implementation of Electronic Safe LockIOSR Journals
 
Enhance the Throughput of Wireless Network Using Multicast Routing
Enhance the Throughput of Wireless Network Using Multicast RoutingEnhance the Throughput of Wireless Network Using Multicast Routing
Enhance the Throughput of Wireless Network Using Multicast RoutingIOSR Journals
 
Multicloud Deployment of Computing Clusters for Loosely Coupled Multi Task C...
Multicloud Deployment of Computing Clusters for Loosely  Coupled Multi Task C...Multicloud Deployment of Computing Clusters for Loosely  Coupled Multi Task C...
Multicloud Deployment of Computing Clusters for Loosely Coupled Multi Task C...IOSR Journals
 
An Experimental Study on a New Design of Double Slope Solar Still with Extern...
An Experimental Study on a New Design of Double Slope Solar Still with Extern...An Experimental Study on a New Design of Double Slope Solar Still with Extern...
An Experimental Study on a New Design of Double Slope Solar Still with Extern...IOSR Journals
 
Simple and Effective Method of the Synthesis of Nanosized Fe2O 3particles
Simple and Effective Method of the Synthesis of Nanosized Fe2O 3particlesSimple and Effective Method of the Synthesis of Nanosized Fe2O 3particles
Simple and Effective Method of the Synthesis of Nanosized Fe2O 3particlesIOSR Journals
 
Assessment of the Implementation of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Preventiv...
Assessment of the Implementation of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Preventiv...Assessment of the Implementation of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Preventiv...
Assessment of the Implementation of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Preventiv...IOSR Journals
 
Congruence Lattices of Isoform Lattices
Congruence Lattices of Isoform LatticesCongruence Lattices of Isoform Lattices
Congruence Lattices of Isoform LatticesIOSR Journals
 

Viewers also liked (20)

K0336268
K0336268K0336268
K0336268
 
Effects of Psychological Training on Mental Skills with Female Basketball Pla...
Effects of Psychological Training on Mental Skills with Female Basketball Pla...Effects of Psychological Training on Mental Skills with Female Basketball Pla...
Effects of Psychological Training on Mental Skills with Female Basketball Pla...
 
Some Common Fixed Point Results for Expansive Mappings in a Cone Metric Space
Some Common Fixed Point Results for Expansive Mappings in a Cone Metric SpaceSome Common Fixed Point Results for Expansive Mappings in a Cone Metric Space
Some Common Fixed Point Results for Expansive Mappings in a Cone Metric Space
 
Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analyses of Sachets Water Samples in Kano...
Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analyses of Sachets Water Samples in Kano...Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analyses of Sachets Water Samples in Kano...
Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analyses of Sachets Water Samples in Kano...
 
Study to compare the DHFR enzyme activity when exposure to He-Ne laser and UV...
Study to compare the DHFR enzyme activity when exposure to He-Ne laser and UV...Study to compare the DHFR enzyme activity when exposure to He-Ne laser and UV...
Study to compare the DHFR enzyme activity when exposure to He-Ne laser and UV...
 
Strongly Unique Best Simultaneous Coapproximation in Linear 2-Normed Spaces
Strongly Unique Best Simultaneous Coapproximation in Linear 2-Normed SpacesStrongly Unique Best Simultaneous Coapproximation in Linear 2-Normed Spaces
Strongly Unique Best Simultaneous Coapproximation in Linear 2-Normed Spaces
 
Protein structure determination of insulin of zebra fish (Danio rerio) by hom...
Protein structure determination of insulin of zebra fish (Danio rerio) by hom...Protein structure determination of insulin of zebra fish (Danio rerio) by hom...
Protein structure determination of insulin of zebra fish (Danio rerio) by hom...
 
Analysis of Cow’s Urine for Detection of Lipase Activity and Anti-Microbial P...
Analysis of Cow’s Urine for Detection of Lipase Activity and Anti-Microbial P...Analysis of Cow’s Urine for Detection of Lipase Activity and Anti-Microbial P...
Analysis of Cow’s Urine for Detection of Lipase Activity and Anti-Microbial P...
 
Evaluation of Uptake of Methylene blue dye by Sulphonated biomass of Cicer ar...
Evaluation of Uptake of Methylene blue dye by Sulphonated biomass of Cicer ar...Evaluation of Uptake of Methylene blue dye by Sulphonated biomass of Cicer ar...
Evaluation of Uptake of Methylene blue dye by Sulphonated biomass of Cicer ar...
 
Feature Extraction Based Estimation of Rain Fall By Cross Correlating Cloud R...
Feature Extraction Based Estimation of Rain Fall By Cross Correlating Cloud R...Feature Extraction Based Estimation of Rain Fall By Cross Correlating Cloud R...
Feature Extraction Based Estimation of Rain Fall By Cross Correlating Cloud R...
 
Shrinkage of Polyester Fibre in Selected Chlorinated Solvents and Effects on ...
Shrinkage of Polyester Fibre in Selected Chlorinated Solvents and Effects on ...Shrinkage of Polyester Fibre in Selected Chlorinated Solvents and Effects on ...
Shrinkage of Polyester Fibre in Selected Chlorinated Solvents and Effects on ...
 
FPGA Based Implementation of Electronic Safe Lock
FPGA Based Implementation of Electronic Safe LockFPGA Based Implementation of Electronic Safe Lock
FPGA Based Implementation of Electronic Safe Lock
 
G0733945
G0733945G0733945
G0733945
 
Enhance the Throughput of Wireless Network Using Multicast Routing
Enhance the Throughput of Wireless Network Using Multicast RoutingEnhance the Throughput of Wireless Network Using Multicast Routing
Enhance the Throughput of Wireless Network Using Multicast Routing
 
Multicloud Deployment of Computing Clusters for Loosely Coupled Multi Task C...
Multicloud Deployment of Computing Clusters for Loosely  Coupled Multi Task C...Multicloud Deployment of Computing Clusters for Loosely  Coupled Multi Task C...
Multicloud Deployment of Computing Clusters for Loosely Coupled Multi Task C...
 
An Experimental Study on a New Design of Double Slope Solar Still with Extern...
An Experimental Study on a New Design of Double Slope Solar Still with Extern...An Experimental Study on a New Design of Double Slope Solar Still with Extern...
An Experimental Study on a New Design of Double Slope Solar Still with Extern...
 
Simple and Effective Method of the Synthesis of Nanosized Fe2O 3particles
Simple and Effective Method of the Synthesis of Nanosized Fe2O 3particlesSimple and Effective Method of the Synthesis of Nanosized Fe2O 3particles
Simple and Effective Method of the Synthesis of Nanosized Fe2O 3particles
 
H0534248
H0534248H0534248
H0534248
 
Assessment of the Implementation of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Preventiv...
Assessment of the Implementation of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Preventiv...Assessment of the Implementation of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Preventiv...
Assessment of the Implementation of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Preventiv...
 
Congruence Lattices of Isoform Lattices
Congruence Lattices of Isoform LatticesCongruence Lattices of Isoform Lattices
Congruence Lattices of Isoform Lattices
 

Similar to Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal as a Viable Alternative Fuel to Coke in Iron Melting In Nigeria

power plant about solid fuel presentation
power plant about solid fuel presentationpower plant about solid fuel presentation
power plant about solid fuel presentationALEMNEW DESALEGN
 
Promotion of coal briquette as alternative to fuel
Promotion of coal briquette as alternative to fuelPromotion of coal briquette as alternative to fuel
Promotion of coal briquette as alternative to fuelAbubakar Umar Mungadi
 
Ch 2,3 & 4 soild fuels
Ch 2,3 & 4  soild fuelsCh 2,3 & 4  soild fuels
Ch 2,3 & 4 soild fuelsTadviDevarshi
 
Energy Resources and Utilization
Energy Resources  and Utilization Energy Resources  and Utilization
Energy Resources and Utilization Salman Jailani
 
Conventional sources of energy
Conventional sources of energyConventional sources of energy
Conventional sources of energySnehal Bhargava
 
32 short paragraph on coal 432 words the college study
32 short paragraph on coal   432 words   the college study32 short paragraph on coal   432 words   the college study
32 short paragraph on coal 432 words the college studyMary Smith
 
Prof. Dr. Robert A. Huggins (auth.) - Energy Storage (2010, Springer) [10.100...
Prof. Dr. Robert A. Huggins (auth.) - Energy Storage (2010, Springer) [10.100...Prof. Dr. Robert A. Huggins (auth.) - Energy Storage (2010, Springer) [10.100...
Prof. Dr. Robert A. Huggins (auth.) - Energy Storage (2010, Springer) [10.100...raziumsoomro
 
COAL AND PETROLEUM.pptx
COAL AND PETROLEUM.pptxCOAL AND PETROLEUM.pptx
COAL AND PETROLEUM.pptxbhavygarg7636
 
Fossil fuels - power point
Fossil fuels - power pointFossil fuels - power point
Fossil fuels - power pointaswink17
 
Solid Fuels 1A
Solid Fuels 1ASolid Fuels 1A
Solid Fuels 1AAhsanN2
 
chemistry of fuels
chemistry of fuels chemistry of fuels
chemistry of fuels alizia54
 
Preparation of activated carbon from pyrolytic conversion of musa paradisiaca
Preparation of activated carbon from pyrolytic conversion of musa paradisiacaPreparation of activated carbon from pyrolytic conversion of musa paradisiaca
Preparation of activated carbon from pyrolytic conversion of musa paradisiacaBRNSSPublicationHubI
 
21. Energy sources ( Clean coal non renewable energy ) A Series of Prese...
21. Energy  sources  ( Clean coal  non renewable energy  ) A  Series of Prese...21. Energy  sources  ( Clean coal  non renewable energy  ) A  Series of Prese...
21. Energy sources ( Clean coal non renewable energy ) A Series of Prese...Mr.Allah Dad Khan
 
Non renewable sources of energy
Non renewable sources of energyNon renewable sources of energy
Non renewable sources of energyVinit Shahdeo
 
Lect 1intro to fuel engg.pptx
Lect 1intro to fuel engg.pptxLect 1intro to fuel engg.pptx
Lect 1intro to fuel engg.pptxJehangir Akram
 

Similar to Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal as a Viable Alternative Fuel to Coke in Iron Melting In Nigeria (20)

power plant about solid fuel presentation
power plant about solid fuel presentationpower plant about solid fuel presentation
power plant about solid fuel presentation
 
Promotion of coal briquette as alternative to fuel
Promotion of coal briquette as alternative to fuelPromotion of coal briquette as alternative to fuel
Promotion of coal briquette as alternative to fuel
 
Coal
Coal Coal
Coal
 
I04465764
I04465764I04465764
I04465764
 
Ch 2,3 & 4 soild fuels
Ch 2,3 & 4  soild fuelsCh 2,3 & 4  soild fuels
Ch 2,3 & 4 soild fuels
 
Energy Resources and Utilization
Energy Resources  and Utilization Energy Resources  and Utilization
Energy Resources and Utilization
 
Conventional sources of energy
Conventional sources of energyConventional sources of energy
Conventional sources of energy
 
32 short paragraph on coal 432 words the college study
32 short paragraph on coal   432 words   the college study32 short paragraph on coal   432 words   the college study
32 short paragraph on coal 432 words the college study
 
Prof. Dr. Robert A. Huggins (auth.) - Energy Storage (2010, Springer) [10.100...
Prof. Dr. Robert A. Huggins (auth.) - Energy Storage (2010, Springer) [10.100...Prof. Dr. Robert A. Huggins (auth.) - Energy Storage (2010, Springer) [10.100...
Prof. Dr. Robert A. Huggins (auth.) - Energy Storage (2010, Springer) [10.100...
 
Coal
CoalCoal
Coal
 
COAL AND PETROLEUM.pptx
COAL AND PETROLEUM.pptxCOAL AND PETROLEUM.pptx
COAL AND PETROLEUM.pptx
 
Fossil fuels - power point
Fossil fuels - power pointFossil fuels - power point
Fossil fuels - power point
 
Solid fuel
Solid fuel Solid fuel
Solid fuel
 
Coal power environment global perspective
Coal power environment global perspectiveCoal power environment global perspective
Coal power environment global perspective
 
Solid Fuels 1A
Solid Fuels 1ASolid Fuels 1A
Solid Fuels 1A
 
chemistry of fuels
chemistry of fuels chemistry of fuels
chemistry of fuels
 
Preparation of activated carbon from pyrolytic conversion of musa paradisiaca
Preparation of activated carbon from pyrolytic conversion of musa paradisiacaPreparation of activated carbon from pyrolytic conversion of musa paradisiaca
Preparation of activated carbon from pyrolytic conversion of musa paradisiaca
 
21. Energy sources ( Clean coal non renewable energy ) A Series of Prese...
21. Energy  sources  ( Clean coal  non renewable energy  ) A  Series of Prese...21. Energy  sources  ( Clean coal  non renewable energy  ) A  Series of Prese...
21. Energy sources ( Clean coal non renewable energy ) A Series of Prese...
 
Non renewable sources of energy
Non renewable sources of energyNon renewable sources of energy
Non renewable sources of energy
 
Lect 1intro to fuel engg.pptx
Lect 1intro to fuel engg.pptxLect 1intro to fuel engg.pptx
Lect 1intro to fuel engg.pptx
 

More from IOSR Journals (20)

A011140104
A011140104A011140104
A011140104
 
M0111397100
M0111397100M0111397100
M0111397100
 
L011138596
L011138596L011138596
L011138596
 
K011138084
K011138084K011138084
K011138084
 
J011137479
J011137479J011137479
J011137479
 
I011136673
I011136673I011136673
I011136673
 
G011134454
G011134454G011134454
G011134454
 
H011135565
H011135565H011135565
H011135565
 
F011134043
F011134043F011134043
F011134043
 
E011133639
E011133639E011133639
E011133639
 
D011132635
D011132635D011132635
D011132635
 
C011131925
C011131925C011131925
C011131925
 
B011130918
B011130918B011130918
B011130918
 
A011130108
A011130108A011130108
A011130108
 
I011125160
I011125160I011125160
I011125160
 
H011124050
H011124050H011124050
H011124050
 
G011123539
G011123539G011123539
G011123539
 
F011123134
F011123134F011123134
F011123134
 
E011122530
E011122530E011122530
E011122530
 
D011121524
D011121524D011121524
D011121524
 

Recently uploaded

Levelling - Rise and fall - Height of instrument method
Levelling - Rise and fall - Height of instrument methodLevelling - Rise and fall - Height of instrument method
Levelling - Rise and fall - Height of instrument methodManicka Mamallan Andavar
 
Katarzyna Lipka-Sidor - BIM School Course
Katarzyna Lipka-Sidor - BIM School CourseKatarzyna Lipka-Sidor - BIM School Course
Katarzyna Lipka-Sidor - BIM School Coursebim.edu.pl
 
DEVICE DRIVERS AND INTERRUPTS SERVICE MECHANISM.pdf
DEVICE DRIVERS AND INTERRUPTS  SERVICE MECHANISM.pdfDEVICE DRIVERS AND INTERRUPTS  SERVICE MECHANISM.pdf
DEVICE DRIVERS AND INTERRUPTS SERVICE MECHANISM.pdfAkritiPradhan2
 
priority interrupt computer organization
priority interrupt computer organizationpriority interrupt computer organization
priority interrupt computer organizationchnrketan
 
Javier_Fernandez_CARS_workshop_presentation.pptx
Javier_Fernandez_CARS_workshop_presentation.pptxJavier_Fernandez_CARS_workshop_presentation.pptx
Javier_Fernandez_CARS_workshop_presentation.pptxJavier Fernández Muñoz
 
Novel 3D-Printed Soft Linear and Bending Actuators
Novel 3D-Printed Soft Linear and Bending ActuatorsNovel 3D-Printed Soft Linear and Bending Actuators
Novel 3D-Printed Soft Linear and Bending ActuatorsResearcher Researcher
 
Virtual memory management in Operating System
Virtual memory management in Operating SystemVirtual memory management in Operating System
Virtual memory management in Operating SystemRashmi Bhat
 
Artificial Intelligence in Power System overview
Artificial Intelligence in Power System overviewArtificial Intelligence in Power System overview
Artificial Intelligence in Power System overviewsandhya757531
 
Triangulation survey (Basic Mine Surveying)_MI10412MI.pptx
Triangulation survey (Basic Mine Surveying)_MI10412MI.pptxTriangulation survey (Basic Mine Surveying)_MI10412MI.pptx
Triangulation survey (Basic Mine Surveying)_MI10412MI.pptxRomil Mishra
 
FUNCTIONAL AND NON FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENT
FUNCTIONAL AND NON FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTFUNCTIONAL AND NON FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENT
FUNCTIONAL AND NON FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTSneha Padhiar
 
Cost estimation approach: FP to COCOMO scenario based question
Cost estimation approach: FP to COCOMO scenario based questionCost estimation approach: FP to COCOMO scenario based question
Cost estimation approach: FP to COCOMO scenario based questionSneha Padhiar
 
multiple access in wireless communication
multiple access in wireless communicationmultiple access in wireless communication
multiple access in wireless communicationpanditadesh123
 
Robotics Group 10 (Control Schemes) cse.pdf
Robotics Group 10  (Control Schemes) cse.pdfRobotics Group 10  (Control Schemes) cse.pdf
Robotics Group 10 (Control Schemes) cse.pdfsahilsajad201
 
Immutable Image-Based Operating Systems - EW2024.pdf
Immutable Image-Based Operating Systems - EW2024.pdfImmutable Image-Based Operating Systems - EW2024.pdf
Immutable Image-Based Operating Systems - EW2024.pdfDrew Moseley
 
2022 AWS DNA Hackathon 장애 대응 솔루션 jarvis.
2022 AWS DNA Hackathon 장애 대응 솔루션 jarvis.2022 AWS DNA Hackathon 장애 대응 솔루션 jarvis.
2022 AWS DNA Hackathon 장애 대응 솔루션 jarvis.elesangwon
 
Turn leadership mistakes into a better future.pptx
Turn leadership mistakes into a better future.pptxTurn leadership mistakes into a better future.pptx
Turn leadership mistakes into a better future.pptxStephen Sitton
 
"Exploring the Essential Functions and Design Considerations of Spillways in ...
"Exploring the Essential Functions and Design Considerations of Spillways in ..."Exploring the Essential Functions and Design Considerations of Spillways in ...
"Exploring the Essential Functions and Design Considerations of Spillways in ...Erbil Polytechnic University
 
List of Accredited Concrete Batching Plant.pdf
List of Accredited Concrete Batching Plant.pdfList of Accredited Concrete Batching Plant.pdf
List of Accredited Concrete Batching Plant.pdfisabel213075
 
Robotics-Asimov's Laws, Mechanical Subsystems, Robot Kinematics, Robot Dynami...
Robotics-Asimov's Laws, Mechanical Subsystems, Robot Kinematics, Robot Dynami...Robotics-Asimov's Laws, Mechanical Subsystems, Robot Kinematics, Robot Dynami...
Robotics-Asimov's Laws, Mechanical Subsystems, Robot Kinematics, Robot Dynami...Sumanth A
 

Recently uploaded (20)

Levelling - Rise and fall - Height of instrument method
Levelling - Rise and fall - Height of instrument methodLevelling - Rise and fall - Height of instrument method
Levelling - Rise and fall - Height of instrument method
 
Katarzyna Lipka-Sidor - BIM School Course
Katarzyna Lipka-Sidor - BIM School CourseKatarzyna Lipka-Sidor - BIM School Course
Katarzyna Lipka-Sidor - BIM School Course
 
Designing pile caps according to ACI 318-19.pptx
Designing pile caps according to ACI 318-19.pptxDesigning pile caps according to ACI 318-19.pptx
Designing pile caps according to ACI 318-19.pptx
 
DEVICE DRIVERS AND INTERRUPTS SERVICE MECHANISM.pdf
DEVICE DRIVERS AND INTERRUPTS  SERVICE MECHANISM.pdfDEVICE DRIVERS AND INTERRUPTS  SERVICE MECHANISM.pdf
DEVICE DRIVERS AND INTERRUPTS SERVICE MECHANISM.pdf
 
priority interrupt computer organization
priority interrupt computer organizationpriority interrupt computer organization
priority interrupt computer organization
 
Javier_Fernandez_CARS_workshop_presentation.pptx
Javier_Fernandez_CARS_workshop_presentation.pptxJavier_Fernandez_CARS_workshop_presentation.pptx
Javier_Fernandez_CARS_workshop_presentation.pptx
 
Novel 3D-Printed Soft Linear and Bending Actuators
Novel 3D-Printed Soft Linear and Bending ActuatorsNovel 3D-Printed Soft Linear and Bending Actuators
Novel 3D-Printed Soft Linear and Bending Actuators
 
Virtual memory management in Operating System
Virtual memory management in Operating SystemVirtual memory management in Operating System
Virtual memory management in Operating System
 
Artificial Intelligence in Power System overview
Artificial Intelligence in Power System overviewArtificial Intelligence in Power System overview
Artificial Intelligence in Power System overview
 
Triangulation survey (Basic Mine Surveying)_MI10412MI.pptx
Triangulation survey (Basic Mine Surveying)_MI10412MI.pptxTriangulation survey (Basic Mine Surveying)_MI10412MI.pptx
Triangulation survey (Basic Mine Surveying)_MI10412MI.pptx
 
FUNCTIONAL AND NON FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENT
FUNCTIONAL AND NON FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTFUNCTIONAL AND NON FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENT
FUNCTIONAL AND NON FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENT
 
Cost estimation approach: FP to COCOMO scenario based question
Cost estimation approach: FP to COCOMO scenario based questionCost estimation approach: FP to COCOMO scenario based question
Cost estimation approach: FP to COCOMO scenario based question
 
multiple access in wireless communication
multiple access in wireless communicationmultiple access in wireless communication
multiple access in wireless communication
 
Robotics Group 10 (Control Schemes) cse.pdf
Robotics Group 10  (Control Schemes) cse.pdfRobotics Group 10  (Control Schemes) cse.pdf
Robotics Group 10 (Control Schemes) cse.pdf
 
Immutable Image-Based Operating Systems - EW2024.pdf
Immutable Image-Based Operating Systems - EW2024.pdfImmutable Image-Based Operating Systems - EW2024.pdf
Immutable Image-Based Operating Systems - EW2024.pdf
 
2022 AWS DNA Hackathon 장애 대응 솔루션 jarvis.
2022 AWS DNA Hackathon 장애 대응 솔루션 jarvis.2022 AWS DNA Hackathon 장애 대응 솔루션 jarvis.
2022 AWS DNA Hackathon 장애 대응 솔루션 jarvis.
 
Turn leadership mistakes into a better future.pptx
Turn leadership mistakes into a better future.pptxTurn leadership mistakes into a better future.pptx
Turn leadership mistakes into a better future.pptx
 
"Exploring the Essential Functions and Design Considerations of Spillways in ...
"Exploring the Essential Functions and Design Considerations of Spillways in ..."Exploring the Essential Functions and Design Considerations of Spillways in ...
"Exploring the Essential Functions and Design Considerations of Spillways in ...
 
List of Accredited Concrete Batching Plant.pdf
List of Accredited Concrete Batching Plant.pdfList of Accredited Concrete Batching Plant.pdf
List of Accredited Concrete Batching Plant.pdf
 
Robotics-Asimov's Laws, Mechanical Subsystems, Robot Kinematics, Robot Dynami...
Robotics-Asimov's Laws, Mechanical Subsystems, Robot Kinematics, Robot Dynami...Robotics-Asimov's Laws, Mechanical Subsystems, Robot Kinematics, Robot Dynami...
Robotics-Asimov's Laws, Mechanical Subsystems, Robot Kinematics, Robot Dynami...
 

Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal as a Viable Alternative Fuel to Coke in Iron Melting In Nigeria

  • 1. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE) e-ISSN: 2278-1684,p-ISSN: 2320-334X, Volume 10, Issue 3 (Nov. - Dec. 2013), PP 06-11 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 6 | Page Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal as a Viable Alternative Fuel to Coke in Iron Melting In Nigeria *Olorunnishola, A.A.G and **Akintunde, M.A *Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria **Federal University Of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Abstract: An experimental study was conducted to characterize erythrophleum suaveolens (Gwaska) charcoal. The test was conducted for proximate analysis (involving the determination of moisture content, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon) and ultimate analysis (involving the determination of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen sulphur and calorific value) of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal. The determined values of moisture, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon were 0.94%, 6.13%, 6.77% and 86.16% respectively. Also the determined values of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur and calorific value were 77.5%, 9%, 5.48%, 1.89%, 0.003% and 7158.6995 Kcal/Kg respectively. Therefore, the gwaska charcoal satisfies the blast furnace requirements for moisture, ash and sulphur in Nigeria. However, its volatile matter exceeds the specified limit except for Indian standard practice. The erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal’s thermal properties showed that it could compete favourably with coke and therefore can be an excellent reducing fuel for the production of iron. Keywords: Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal, proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, coke I. Introduction Charcoal is dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen. It is usually an impure form of carbon as it contains ash; however, sugar charcoal is among the purest forms of carbon readily available, particularly if it is not made by heating but by a dehydration reaction with sulfuric acid to minimize introducing new impurities, as impurities can be removed from the sugar in advance. The resulting soft, brittle, lightweight, black, porous material resembles coal [20]. The primary sources of energy include; electricity, coal (coke), kerosene, gas, fuel wood (biomass) and solar energy in recent times [17]. According to Center for Agric. Development [CAD] [6], in developing countries, the predominant traditional sources of energy are fuel wood and charcoal, which are used primarily for cooking and heating homes. Most fuel users prefer charcoal to firewood because it does not produce much smoke, it can be ignited easily, it emits heat for a longer period of time and most importantly it is relatively cheap. Charcoal is the solid residue remaining when wood is carbonized or pyrolized under controlled conditions in a closed space such as charcoal kiln. According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [FAO] [10], charcoal can be obtained from other organic substances such as coconut shell and bones, which provide very important and valuable charcoal for specialized uses, but wood is the most frequently used in developing countries. The physical and chemical properties of charcoal depend partly on the carbonization process. In Nigeria, charcoal has a multipurpose value as it can be used for cooking, roasting, dyeing and as the major source of energy for Goldsmith and Blacksmith workers [17]. The production of charcoal could either be by modern technology or traditional method. However for any method used, the wood should either be allowed to dry up naturally or be artificially dried before being carbonized. For a long time charcoal was the only fuel and reducing agent used in iron production. Scarcity of wood in some countries caused the development of coke as an alternative fuel and today coke dominates even in most countries with large forest resources. Coke has become generally thought of as associated with the large, highly productive blast furnaces of today and it is then easy to think of charcoal as less efficient. Although the general trend has certainly been away from charcoal, charcoal blast furnaces are in operation in several countries and there are even plans for expanding some of these operations. Economic conditions vary both between countries and within them and it would therefore be of value to study the cases where charcoal is preferred in order to determine the relevant economic and technical factors. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to make a comprehensive study of the subject but certain data have become available which indicate that technical progress in forestry, charcoal production, and blast furnace operations have been of great significance [9]. Constantine [7], states that "under modern conditions charcoal can be as economic and efficient as coke for smelting iron ore in a standard blast furnace subject only to the provisions of adequate supply of raw materials." At the same time, several of the papers submitted to the present symposium point out the scarcity and high price of metallurgical coke, which often has to be transported over great distances.
  • 2. Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal As A Viable Alternative Fuel To Coke In Iron www.iosrjournals.org 7 | Page Furthermore, from my field survey it is evident that the few available cupola furnaces in Nigeria are conventional cupolas with poor energy efficiency while some other foundries using cupola furnaces have closed down as a result of cost of coke, scarcity of coke, absence of any proven fuel substitute to coke and dwindling profit margins. While the cost of Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal per tonne is fourty thousand naira ($250), the cost of coke per tonne ranges between ninety and one hundred thousand naira ($625) in Nigeria. This therefore has necessitated the need to characterize erythrophleum suaveolens (E.s) charcoal in order to establish its viability as an alternative fuel to coke in iron melting. 1.1 Charcoal as Metallurgical Fuel The use of charcoal as a smelting fuel has been experiencing a resurgence in South America following Brazilian law changes in 2010 to reduce carbon emissions as part of President Lula da Silva's commitment to make a "green steel” [14,15]. Charcoal burns at intense temperatures, up to 2700 degrees Celsius. By comparison the melting point of iron is approximately 1200 to 1550 degrees Celsius [13]. Due to its porosity it is sensitive to the flow of air and the heat generated can be moderated by controlling the air flow to the fire. For this reason charcoal is an ideal fuel for a forge and is still widely used by blacksmiths. Charcoal is also an excellent reducing fuel for the production of iron and has been used that way since Roman times. In the 16th century England had to pass laws to prevent the country from becoming completely denuded of trees due to production of iron. In the 19th century charcoal was largely replaced by coke, baked coal, in steel making due to cost. Charcoal is far superior fuel to coke, however, because it burns hotter and has no sulfur. Until World War II charcoal was still being used in Sweden to make ultra high-quality steel. In steel-making, charcoal is not only a fuel, but a source for the carbon in the steel [13]. 1.2 Erythrophleum Suaveolens (Gwaska) wood Erythrophleum suaveolens is the tree whose charcoal is used in this research work. The vernacular names include; Forest ordeal tree, red water tree, sasswood tree (English). Boisrouge, poison d‟épreuve, tali, grand tali, mancône (French) [18]. Gwaska (Hausa). Origin and geographic distribution Erythrophleum suaveolens is distributed from Senegal to Sudan and Kenya in the east and from there south to Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It has been introduced as an ornamental in tropical Asia [18]. This tree is also available in North Central and South West Nigeria. Uses The bark, traded as „sassy-bark‟, „mancona bark‟ or „casca bark‟ is used as emetic and purgative. The crushed bark is applied to swellings caused by Filaria. In DR Congo the dried powdered bark is taken as a snuff to cure headache. In Kenya a diluted decoction of the roots is used as an anthelminthic, especially against tapeworm. In Malawi a decoction of the roots and bark is applied to soothe general body pain. Pieces of root or bark are a protective and love charm. The bark has been used in arrow poisons and as ordeal poison and the bark and leaves as fish poison. The use as an anaesthetic for fish in aquaculture is tricky as small differences in dosage will kill, rather than stupefy fish. In the Western world, bark extracts were used in the late 19th century to treat heart failure [3]. Side effects and better results with digitoxine ended this practice. The tree produces quite hard, heavy and durable wood, marketed as „alui‟, „tali‟, „erun‟, „missanda‟ or „sasswood‟, which is suitable for joinery, flooring, railway sleepers, harbour and dock work, turnery, construction and bridges. It is also used for boat building and wheel hubs. The bark has been used in West Africa for tanning hides and skins; it is used in DR Congo to colour leather brown. Erythrophleum suaveolens is planted as an ornamental and avenue tree. In West Africa the powdered bark is mixed with the residue of palm oil processing, and after boiling it is mixed with seeds of maize, cowpea or cotton, which effectively reduces pest damage to the seeds [5]. Dried leaves are mixed with stored grains and pulses to repel or kill storage insects. The use in agroforestry has been promoted: nitrogen fixation and the large amount of leaf litter are advantageous to intercrops. However, in experiments a negative effect of Erythrophleum suaveolens leaf mulch on the yield of crops has been noted. When clearing bush to prepare fields, trees are often left standing because the wood is hard and felling is too taxing. Erythrophleum suaveolens wood is not highly valued as firewood but charcoal made from it is excellent [18]. 1.3 Description Medium-sized tree up to 25(–30) m tall (Plate I), often branching low; bark finely fissured, scaly, grey; twigs glabrous. Leaves alternate, bipinnately compound with 2–4 pairs of pinnae; stipules minute, soon falling; petiole and rachis up to 35 cm long, petiole thickened at base; leaflets alternate, 7–14 per pinna, ovate to ovate- elliptical, up to 9 cm × 5.5 cm, base asymmetrical, apex obtusely acuminate. Inflorescence an axillary panicle
  • 3. Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal As A Viable Alternative Fuel To Coke In Iron www.iosrjournals.org 8 | Page consisting of spike-like racemes up to 12 cm long, shortly yellowish hairy. Flowers bisexual, regular, 5-merous, yellowish white to greenish yellow; pedicel c. 1.5 mm long, reddish hairy; calyx lobes 1–1.5 mm long; petals 2– 3 mm × 0.5 mm, short hairy at margins; stamens 10, free, c. 5 mm long; ovary superior, rusty hairy, 1-celled, stigma cup-shaped. Fruit a flat, slightly curved, dehiscent pod 5–17 cm × 3–5 cm, stipe often lateral, broadly rounded at apex, pendulous, 6–11-seeded. Seeds oblong ellipsoid, 15 mm × 11 mm × 5 mm [18]. Plate I: Erythrophleum suaveolens (Gwaska) tree Source: Okeyo (2006) II. Characterization Of Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal 2.1 Sample Collection The sample of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal used in this work was sourced from a charcoal dealer based in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria. The charcoal was produced by slow pyrolysis. 2.1 Proximate Analysis Proximate Analysis involves determination for moisture, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon. The methods used in this work were adopted from [1]. 2.1.1 Moisture content The silica crucible for the test was preheated at 105o C for 1 hour. One gramme of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal sample was then placed in the crucible and heated at 105o C for 1 hour. The loss in weight accounts for the moisture content. 2.1.2 Volatile matter The standard crucible was preheated in the muffle furnace at 970o C for 7 minutes. The crucible was cooled in the desiccators and 1 gramme of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal sample was placed in it with three drops of benzene. The crucible (with the lid on) was now placed in the muffle furnace at 970o C for 7 minutes. The loss in weight accounts for the volatile content of the charcoal. 2.1.3 Ash The standard silica crucible was preheated at 8250 C for 1 hour. It was then cooled in the desiccators. One gramme of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal sample was placed in the crucible (with the lid on) and it was heated at 825o C for1 hour. The incombustible residue gives the ash content of the charcoal. 2.1.4 Fixed carbon The fixed carbon is obtained from the relation: Fixed carbon% = 100 – Moisture % - Ash% - Volatile matter% …1 2.1.5 Determination of total sulphur in erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal by Eschka method The method involves igniting 1g of charcoal sample and Eschka mixture (2 parts of magnesium oxide with 1 part anhydrous sodium carbonate). The sulphur is dissolved in water and then precipitated as barium sulphate. The precipitate is then filtered, ashed and weighed. The experimental procedure is as follows: One gramme of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal sample was weighed into a 30ml porcelain crucible and mixed with 3g of Eschka mixture. The blank and the standard sample were prepared in a similar manner. The crucibles
  • 4. Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal As A Viable Alternative Fuel To Coke In Iron www.iosrjournals.org 9 | Page were then placed in a cold muffle furnace and gradually heated to 8000 C for about 60 minutes. The temperature was maintained for an additional 60 minutes. The crucibles were removed, slightly cooled and stirred to ensure that no black charcoal particles occur. The crucibles were them emptied into 400ml beakers containing 100mls of hot water. Digestion was done for 45 minutes, with occasional stirring. The solution in each beaker was now decanted through 540 filter paper into a 400ml beaker. The insoluble material in the first beaker was thoroughly washed with hot water. After washing in this manner, the solid was transferred to the filter paper and washed 5 times with hot water. The filtrate volume was about 250ml. The residue was then discarded. Three drops of methyl orange indicator was added. Sodium hydroxide was then added drop wise until just neutral. Then, 1ml of hydrochloric acid was added to just acid and 25 ml of potassium sulphate was also added using an „A‟ grade pipette. The sample was now heated to boiling and 10mls of barium chloride solution was slowly added with stirring. The solution was maintained near boiling for 30 minutes and then stood overnight. The solution was then filtered with No 42 paper and washed well with hot water. The wet filter paper was placed into a crucible and ignited for 15 minutes. The paper was gradually smoked off in the muffle furnace, avoiding burning. The temperature was then gradually raised to 8000 C and maintained for 1 hour. The crucible was cooled and barium sulphate weighted. Total sulphur is calculated as follows: 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑝ℎ𝑢𝑟 % = (𝐴−𝐵) 𝐶 × 13.74 …2 Where A = mass of barium sulphate from sample B = mass of barium sulphate from blank C = mass of sample used The results of the proximate analysis of Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal are as presented in Table 1. Table 1: Results of proximate analysis of Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal S/NO Parameters % Erythrophleum Suaveolens charcoal 1 Moisture 0.94 2 Ash 6.13 3 Volatile matter 6.77 4 5 Fixed carbon Sulphur (ad) 86.16 0.003 2.2 Ultimate Analysis The ultimate analysis results (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen) of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal were calculated using equations 25, 26 and 27 as shown in Table 2. The calorific value of the charcoal sample was determined at the Grand Cereals Limited, Jos, Plateau State while Eschka method as described above was used to determine the total sulphur content of erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal as presented in Table 2. Calculation of carbon and hydrogen from calorific value (Q) and volatile matter (VM) are given by equations 25 and 26 respectively [12]. 𝐶 = 0.59 𝑄 2.3 + 1.1𝑉𝑀 3 + 43.4 …26 𝐻 = 0.069 𝑄 2.3 + 𝑉𝑀 − 2.8 …27 Also oxygen was determined by using Seyler formula as presented below: 𝑄 = 0.51883𝐶 + 1.625011 − 17.87 + 0.001 𝑂 2 𝑀𝐽/𝐾𝑔 …28 Table 2: Results of ultimate analysis of Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal S/NO Parameters Erythrophleum Suaveolens charcoal (ad) 1 % C 77.5 2 % H 9 3 % O 5.48 4 5 6 7 % N % Ash sulphur Calorific value raw (Kcal./Kg) 1.89 6.13 0.003 (ad) 7158.6995 Note: ad-as determined
  • 5. Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal As A Viable Alternative Fuel To Coke In Iron www.iosrjournals.org 10 | Page Table 3: Proximate analysis of Ajaokuta coke sample S/No Parameters Value (%) 1 Moisture 0.38 2 Ash (ad) 13.45 3 Ash (db) 13.50 4 Volatile matter (ad) 2.34 5 Volatile matter (db) 2.35 6 Volatile matter (daf) 2.72 7 Fixed Carbon (ad) 84.15 8 Fixed Carbon (daf) 97.66 9 Sulphur (ad) 0.14 10 Sulphur (db) 0.14 Source: Adeleke, et al (2006) 2.3 Discussion of Characterization Results The moisture content of 0.94% for the erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal is higher than 0.38 % obtained for Ajaokuta coke (Table 3) and exceeds the range required for the operation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant blast furnace [11]. However the ash content of 6.13 % is far lower than 13.45% reported for Ajaokuta coke within the limit required for Ajaokuta. Furthermore, the ash content of 6.13% determined is far lower than 24%, for typical Indian coke [15]. The ash in coke is of great significance in the blast/cupola furnace operation. High ash lowers the carbon content and requires the use of more limestone as fluxes and thus the use of more energy for slagging. This results in increased coke rate and lower efficiency of the metallurgical process. It has been reported that 1% increase in ash causes an increase of 1.5-2% in coke rate, 1.5% in flux rate and lower blast furnace efficiency by 3-5% [15]. The volatile matter of 6.77% determined for the erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal is higher that 2.72% reported for Ajaokuta coke and within the upper limit of 30.3% specified for Ajaokuta Steel Plant (Raw materials, 1994). Very high volatile generally reduce solid fuel output. The sulphur contents of 0.003% and 0.14% for erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal and coke meet the requirement for Ajaokuta (0.9%) and is lower than 0.61% and 0.83 – 0.91% determined for Indian and German coke respectively [21]. The sulphur content is also lower than 0.48% reported for Chinese coke [4]. It is also lower than 0.55 – 0.60% in coke for efficient, high productivity blast furnace in United Kingdom [22]. Sulphur in iron can exist either as iron sulphide (FeS) or manganese sulphide (MnS). The ferrous sulphide forms brittle, low melting point, yellowish brown films round the solid cast iron or steel crystals and causes the metal to split when forged. It also tends to promote the formation of cementite and thus a harder iron [19]. The calorific value of 7158.6995Kcal/Kg (30,066.54kJ/kg) was determined for Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal. The reported value of 30,500kJ/kg for coke by Eastop and McConkey [8] showed that erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal can compete favourably with coke. III. Conclusion The following could be concluded from this work: i. The characterization showed that the ash content of 6.13 % for Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal is lower than 13.45% reported for Ajaokuta coke and is far lower than 24%, for typical Indian coke. This may result in decreased erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal rate and higher efficiency of the metallurgical process. ii. The sulphur contents of 0.003% and 0.14% for erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal and coke meet the requirement for Ajaokuta and is lower than 0.61%, 0.48%, 0.55 – 0.60% and 0.83 – 0.91% determined for Indian, Chinese, United Kingdom and German coke respectively. This lower sulphur content will prevent the metal from splitting when forged and it will also reduce the formation of cementite and thus a softer iron. iii. The calorific value of 30,066.54kJ/kg determined for Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal, when compared with the reported value of 30,500kJ/kg for coke showed that there was no significant difference between the calorific values of coke and Erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal. iv. The above deductions showed that erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal‟s thermal properties can compete favourably with that of coke and therefore can be an excellent reducing fuel for the production of iron. Also the low sulphur content shows that erythrophleum suaveolens charcoal is more environmentally friendly than coke. IV. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Erythrophleum suaveolens is an important medicinal plant and further study of its pharmacology is justified.
  • 6. Characterizing Erythrophleum Suaveolens Charcoal As A Viable Alternative Fuel To Coke In Iron www.iosrjournals.org 11 | Page 2. The charcoal made from it is excellent. Therefore, breeding and management programmes should be started in our country (Nigeria) to enhance deliberate propagation and establishment of erythrophleum suaveolens (Gwaska) tree in our indige-nous forests and plantations. 3. Nigeria has lost over N1 billion (U$6M) to illegal export of charcoal and logs from states in the South West and North Central to the Middle East and Europe in the last four years [2]. Therefore, government should prevent this and ensure that the charcoal and logs are retained for the use of local foundries. Acknowledgement This work was supported by Grand Cereals Limited, Jos, Plateau State and Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. Therefore, the need to appreciate the Managements of these two organizations for allowing the use of their quality control and thermodynamic laboratories facilities respectively. References [1]. Adeleke, A.O., Makan, R.S. and Ibitoye, S.A. (2006). Characterization of Ajaokuta Coke for Blast Furnace Iron making. Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, jmmce.org Vol. 5, No.2, pp 155-165. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved. [2]. Alex, Abutu. Nigeria’s Federal Government Loses N1 Billion to Illegal Charcoal, Wood Export. http://allafrica.com/stories. Retrieved 2012-11-20 [3]. Ayensu, E.S., 1978. Medicinal plants of West Africa. Reference Publication, Michigan. P 330 [4]. Brouwer, R. C., Schoone, E.E. and Toxopeus, H.L., (1992). “Coal Injection driven to the limits”, Iron and Steel Engineer, Vol. 69, No 12, pp. 22. [5]. Burkill, H.M., 1995. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 3, Families J–L. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. P 857. [6]. CAD., 1991. Wood for Energy in Nigeria, Center for Agric. Development, pp: 15-18 [7]. Constantine, A. Charcoal blast furnace operations, Wundowie, W. Australia. International symposium, 1963. [8]. Eastop, T.D. and McConkey, A. (1993), Applied Thermodynamics for Technologists. Longman Singapore Publishers. [9]. FAO STAFF. Paper prepared for a United Nations interregional Symposium on the Application of Modern Technical Practices in the Iron and Steel Industry in Developing Countries, 1983. [10]. FAO., 1990. The major significance of Minor forest products Rome, pp; 49. [11]. Federal Ministry of Mines, Power and Steel circular, (1992), on Carbonization tests for Ajaokuta coke requirements, Lagos, Nigeria. [12]. Francis, W. Peters M C (ed) (1980). Fuels and Fuels Technology. Pergamon, New York. [13]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:charcoal. Retrieved 2012-06-23 [14]. M. Kato1, D. M. DeMarini, A. B. Carvalho, M. A. V. Rego, A. V. Andrade1, A. S. V. Bonfim and D. Loomis (2004). "World at work: Charcoal producing industries in northeastern Brazil". http://oem.bmj.com/content/62/2/128.full. Retrieved 16 September 2012 [15]. Michael Smith and David Voreacos (January 21, 2007). "Brazil: Enslaved workers make charcoal used to make basic steel ingredient". Seattle Times. http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14328. Retrieved 16 September 2012. [16]. Moitra, A.K., Banerjee, N.G. Shrinkhande, K.Y., Sing, K. Raja, K. and Banerjee, S (1992): Studies on coal carbonization in India, Central Fuel Research Institute (CFRI) publication, Calcutta. [17]. Ogunsanwo, O.Y., Aiyloja, A.A. and Uzo, C. (2007). Production Techniqueand the Influence of Wood Species on the Properties of Charcoal in Nigeria, A Case Study of Oyo State. Agricultural Journal 2 (1). [18]. Okeyo, J.M., 2006. Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). Prota 11(1): Medicinal plants/Plantes médicinales 1. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. [19]. Rollason, E.C., (1973). Metallurgy for Engineers, The English Language Book Society and Edward Arnold Publisher. [20]. ^ "Using charcoal efficiently". http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5328E/x5328e0b.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-01. [21]. Weskamp, W., Rhode, W., Stewen, E., and Habermehl, D., (1987). “Greater coke strength through reactive additives to coking blends”, 1st International Cokemaking Congress, Essen, Section III. I. [22]. Willmers R.R. and Bennington, C.R., (1992). “Coke quality requirements for efficient, high productivity blast furnace operation at high coal injection rates”, 2nd international coke making congress, London, pp. 275.