Review of Research on Coke Gasification in the Blast Furnace with Elevated Hydrogen Content and Determination of Coke’s Postreactive Strength. 3. Laboratory Research on Reduction and Gasification in the Presence of H₂ and H₂O

The use of hydrogen-bearing blast additives significantly decreases coke consumption in the blast furnace. That entails better understanding of the chemical processes in the furnace. Research on the reaction of coke with atmospheres containing H₂ and H₂O has developed in the last few decades. Researchers at various universities and steelmakers have studied experimentally the behavior of metallurgical coke in the blast furnace with elevated hydrogen levels. In terms of the experimental conditions, two types of research may be distinguished: study of coke gasification in a specified atmosphere; and study of coke gasification along with the reduction of iron ore when the gaseous reduction products participate in gasification (the coupling reaction). For better understanding of how H₂O reacts with the carbon in coke and assessment of how this process affects coke strength, the evolution of coke’s microstructure and physical properties must be investigated. The results of these studies will be presented in full in a future article.