Petroleum coke

Overview

Petroleum coke is a solid, carbon-rich by-product of oil refining. It has long been used as a fuel and as an anode material in aluminium and steel production.

Turkmenistan, known for its oil and gas reserves, supplies petroleum coke from its refineries. A Turkmen refinery complex has also tested making artificial graphite and graphite items from petroleum coke, in line with the country’s aim of import substitution and higher exports.

Uses

• Fuel for heating and energy.
• Anode material for aluminium and steel production, after calcination.
• Raw material for artificial graphite and graphite items.
• Research: feedstock for graphene nanosheets by electrochemical exfoliation (needle coke is the best grade).

Calcined coke

• Calcination heats petroleum coke above 1,200 °C to remove volatile components and raise purity.
• It removes impurities such as sulfur, nitrogen and volatile hydrocarbons, so downstream products such as graphite and graphene come out cleaner.
• The high-temperature treatment rearranges the carbon structure and improves electrical conductivity.