Effect of meso-scale pore structure on coke strength

To explore the factors that affect coke strength in the meso-scale pore structure of coke, we investigated the relationship between the strength and meso-scale pore structure of the polished surface of coke sample. Coke was fractured using diametral-compression tests, and the tensile strength of coke was measured. Furthermore, we observed the polished surface of coke and obtained combined images with a size of 10 mm × 10 mm. The size and roundness of the pores were evaluated by image analysis. The pores were classified according to the pore size, and the strength of coke with many pores with a diameter of more than 1000 μm was indicated to be low. Moreover, the roundness of pores with a diameter of more than 1000 μm was low. Therefore, pores with diameter of more than 1000 μm and low roundness are considered to greatly affect the strength of coke in a meso-scale structure.