Metallurgical coal is a special type of coal used to make metallurgical coke. There are two types of metallurgical coal used to make coke: hard coking coal and semisoft coking coal. According to Grande Cache Coal, these types of coal are ideal for coke because they melt, swell and re-solidify when placed into a superheated furnace. These types of coal also have have low levels of impurities. A third type of metallurgical coal, PCI, is sometimes used in steel or iron making to replace more-expensive coke, indicates Grande Cache Coal.
Metallurgical coke sounds like a soda beverage, but it’s not. It is a refined carbon product made from a special kind of coal. Using extremely high temperatures, coal can purified into coke — which is then used in the iron and steel making processes. One of the most important steps in the coke-making process is choosing the right coal to use as a raw material.
