Carbonization and liquid-crystal (mesophase) development. 18. carbonization of coal-extract solutions (non-hydrogenated): influence of digestion conditions upon optical texture of cokes

Coal-extract solutions have been produced by the dissolution of a prime coking coal in anthracene oil followed by the removal of the undissolved solids. A range of coal-extract solutions prepared under different conditions was carbonized and the optical texture of the polished surfaces of the resultant cokes were assessed. The coal-extract solution prepared with the longest digestion time and at the highest temperature produced a coke with the largest anisotropic domains with some flow structure. Removal of the anthracene oil component of the coal-extract solution by extraction with selected solvents modified the carbonization behaviour such that although the coke yield increased substantially there was a significant decrease in the size of the anisotropic domains of the resultant cokes.