Bitumiinihiili

Bitumiinihiili, also known as coking coal or metallurgical coal, is a type of coal with specific qualities that make it suitable for use in the production of coke, a crucial material in the steelmaking process. It is characterized by its high carbon content, low ash, and low sulfur content, which are essential for producing high-quality coke. During the coking process, bitumiinihiili is heated in the absence of air at high temperatures, driving off volatile components and leaving behind a hard, porous substance called coke. This coke then acts as a fuel and a reducing agent in blast furnaces to smelt iron ore into iron.

The formation of bitumiinihiili occurs under specific geological conditions, typically involving the burial of ancient plant matter under immense pressure and heat over millions of years. While it is a type of bituminous coal, not all bituminous coal is suitable for coking. Specific compositional and physical properties, such as its plasticity and swelling characteristics during heating, differentiate coking coal from other bituminous varieties. Major producing regions for bitumiinihiili include Australia, China, the United States, and Canada. Its primary use remains in the metallurgical industry, making it a vital commodity for global steel production. Environmental considerations related to coal mining and its combustion are ongoing topics of discussion and research.