petroleumcoke

Petroleum coke, commonly called petcoke, is a carbon-rich solid byproduct of oil refining. It is formed when heavy fractions of crude oil are thermally processed in cokers, such as delayed coking or fluid coking, to convert residual oils into lighter products and solid coke.

Petroleum coke typically contains about 80–90% carbon with low to moderate volatile matter. It is produced in several grades, the main ones being fuel-grade coke and anode-grade needle coke. Fuel-grade petcoke is used primarily as a fuel in cement kilns, power plants, and other industrial furnaces. Anode-grade needle coke is a specialized form used to manufacture carbon anodes for aluminum smelting, requiring very low sulfur and trace metals and precise physical properties.

Calcined petroleum coke undergoes further heating to remove volatile material and moisture, producing a more uniform product for specific applications such as anodes and certain graphite products. The quality and properties of petcoke depend on the crude feedstock and the coking process conditions.

Uses and applications vary by grade. Fuel-grade coke is combusted for energy, while needle coke and calcined varieties are transformed into anodes or carbon products. Some petcoke is also used as a feedstock in graphite production.

Environmental and health considerations include emissions from combustion, such as sulfur dioxide and particulates, and dust during handling and storage. Regulations often address sulfur content, emissions controls, and handling precautions to mitigate air and soil impacts.

Global production and trade are driven by refinery configurations and demand in cement, aluminum, and energy sectors, with major producers and users distributed worldwide.