Optimization of operating conditions in desulfurization of petroleum coke using induction heating

The matrix structure and properties of petcoke samples can be impressed by uniform and in situ thermal treatment. In this work, a novel hyphenated thermal approach was applied to investigate the ferromagnetic-based desulfurization of petcoke samples and the effect of controlling parameters. Induction heating furnace and capillary gas chromatography (CGC) were designed and assembled to study the thermal desulfurization of ferromagnetic petcoke, which was prepared by penetration of some metallic elements (e.g., Fe, Cr, and Ni) into the coke framework. Based upon a design of experiment algorithm, the petcoke matrix, the evolved gases and the residue coke breeze were monitored by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping, CGC, and electrical resistivity measurements. The results revealed that during petcoke formation, ferromagnetic metals were diffused and distributed throughout the coke matrix leading to the acceleration of the induction heating in the second stage of thermal treatment. Moreover, the evolved gas analysis showed the role and the rank of drainage rate, particle size, desulfurization temperature, induction frequency, and feed humidity parameters on the yield of desulfurization process. The effect of magnetic desulfurization on the specific electrical resistivity of coke breeze was identified as an industrial opportunity to be used in the cathodic protection systems.