Petroleum Coke Desulfurization Methods for Use in Aluminum Industry

The coke used in aluminum production should possess certain sulfur content (below 3 wt. %). The application of sulfur rich coke will have detrimental effects on the environment. In the aluminum production industry, high sulfur anodes have a lower life span and higher energy consumption, as well as high environmental effects during electrolysis, which are unfavorable to aluminum industry. Therefore, desulfurization of coke is very essential. There are several petroleum coke desulfurization methods. The main objective of this research is the investigation of different petroleum coke desulfurization methods in order to obtain low sulfur coke. The reduction of petroleum coke sulfur not only provides the feed for aluminum production units, but it also protects the environment. This doubles the importance of petroleum coke desulfurization. Different desulfurization methods such as solvent extraction, calcination, separation with molten compounds and hydrogen purification are used in order to remove C-S bonds in petroleum coke. Studies have shown that coke desulfurization by solvent extraction of 35%, calcination of 90%, separation with molten materials 93%, and hydrogenation of 90% have been achieved, which according to the operational conditions of the processes and changes in the coke eventually The desulfurization method is used industrially by calcination.