Subject: Re: Converting Coal into Coke??

From: [email-masked] (Dan Hughes)
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 14:30:25 -0400

>I have seen a number of references (don't remember the exact sources) and
>have heard others mention the fact that wetting down the green coal helps
>in the coking process, i.e. converting the green coal into coke.  The
>references never go into any details other then to sometimes say
>something about the steam generated when the wet coal gets near the heat
>of the fire.
>
>Can anyone out there give me a more detailed explanation as to why wet
>coal, or sprinkling green coal, cokes up better than dry coal??
>
>I demonstrate at the local Farm Museum and I am always asked why I wet down
>the green coal.  I would like to have a more detailed answer about just
>how the water helps in the coking process.
>
>Albin Drzewianowski
>Editor, Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland,
>Westminster, MD

Coke forms when the heat drives off the volatiles, coal gas and coal tars
and sulfur. The water just keeps the fire from spreading and burning the
coal completely before the coke has a chance to form. Coke is just the
carbon left after the the volatiles are removed.

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 19:00:41 -0400

To All,
Wetting the coal just slows down the rate of conversion from coal to coke.
Wet things are harder to get burning. I have seen refrences where it says to
actually store your coal under water. Heat drives the volatiles out of the
coal. Coke is the destructive distillate of bituminous coal. Charcoal is the
destructive distillate of wood.

Hochewa

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From: "David C. Hufford" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 1996 06:41:39 -0400 (EDT)

Albin:

There's a booklet titled, Making Charcoal and Coke, by Barrie Howard, 
available from Lindsay Publications.  It details distilling your own 
using a 55 gallon drum as a kiln.

D.C. Hufford

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 1996 01:34:25 -0400

To All,
A commercial coke oven is a large rectangular box that is heated externally.
It is filled almost, with soft coal and then sealed. Sealing is to prevent
oxygen getting to the coal. The coal as it is heated releases all of the
volatles. What is left is a porous mass of virtually pure carbon. The coking
process is done in the absence of air to minimize the losses.
Now.... this can be accomplished on a mini scale in a 1-5 gallon metal pail
with a lid. Dont fab one out of 1/4" plate. If it bursts you want a dud not a
bomb. Punch a few holes in the lid to let the gasses out. Dont fill the can
as the tars and stuff may fill the can during firing. Set the can on a coal
forge and heat it up. You will notice plumes of gas form the holes. Light
them off. Cook until no more gasses are being released. Cool and open and you
should have coke. This can be done in the open just by piling the coal over
the fire abd removing it as it is coked. 
Remember safety first.

Hochewa