Petroleum coke is a residue from refining oil that can be turned into energy and different substances. It has several classifications, including fuel coke, marketable coke, catalyst coke, and calcined petroleum coke. While useful, petcoke creates pollution and laws have been put in place to reduce it. According to the Material Safety Data Sheet, petcoke is generally safe.
Petroleum coke, also called petcoke, is a rock-like residue from the petroleum refining process. Energy can be created from petroleum coke, so it’s often turned into dry cells and fuels based on what type of coke it is. There are several classifications of petroleum coke and each is used to create different substances.
Fuel coke has a spongy texture and contains high amounts of sulfur. It can withstand high heat and contains little ash. This type of coke is mainly used in power generators that burn coal. There is a high sulfur content that companies using coke for fuel must use a sulfur capture system to reduce the amount of sulfur released into the air and meet clean air standards.
Marketable Coke is high in carbon, if not just pure carbon. Depending on the consistency, the marketable coke is processed into fuel coke or needle coke. Catalyst coke is impure and spongy, so it can be used as fuel. Needle coke is crystalline in nature and is used for dry cells and electrodes.
Calcined petroleum coke is produced when petroleum coke is calcined, or roasted, just below its melting point. This coke is commonly used in the smelting industry for creating metals such as titanium, aluminum and steel. This is because calcined coke is used as an anode, or electrode, to produce these metals.
While petcoke is useful in the energy creation market, it also creates high amounts of pollution when used. When burned and released into the air, petroleum coke releases mercury, lead, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and typically soot particles that inhibit breathing, especially in people with health conditions that make them susceptible to pollution. There are laws designed to reduce the amount of air pollution released and make it safer for people living in areas where petroleum coke is used.
According to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on petroleum coke, it is a safe material. On a scale of 0 to 4, where 0 is insignificant and 4 is extreme, both health and physical safety are rated at 0. Flammability is rated at 1. Unless inhaled in large quantities by people with lung problems, petcoke is not thought to cause any problems. If there is a petcoke fire, a blanket with water spray, foam, dry chemicals, or carbon dioxide will put out the fire.
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