Effect of Calcined Coke Size on Pitch Pyrolysis Behavior

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Pitch coking quality is crucial for carbon anode performance.
• Understanding pitch-impregnation in coke is key to optimizing anode production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of coke particle size on pitch pyrolysis.
• To analyze the relationship between coke size, pitch impregnation, and pyrolysis dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for green carbon anode analysis.
• Custom-built pyrolysis device for testing pitch pyrolysis.
• Pyrolysis dynamics analysis based on particle size.

Main Results:

• Large coke particles exhibit incomplete pitch impregnation, with variations in pitch thickness and internal saturation.
• Small coke particles are thoroughly soaked and wrapped by pitch.
• Activation energy for pyrolysis fluctuates with particle size, peaking at 70.00 kJ/mol (1-2 mm) and dropping to 31.88 kJ/mol (3-4 mm).
• Surface area and porous structure interplay differently with particle size, dominating specific size ranges.

Conclusions:

• Coke particle size is a critical factor controlling pitch impregnation and subsequent pyrolysis behavior.
• Optimizing coke particle size distribution is essential for enhancing carbon anode quality through controlled pitch pyrolysis.