December 20, 2025
When a rotary kiln is employed for calcining petroleum coke, the raw petroleum coke is fed into the high - end of the kiln. As the cylindrical kiln rotates, the petroleum coke gradually moves towards the lower end. After undergoing high - temperature treatment, it transforms into the finished product and is discharged from the kiln head. The flue gas generated by the combustion of the nozzles at the kiln head, along with the flue gas produced during the calcination of the petroleum coke, flows towards the end of the kiln and comes into direct contact with the petroleum coke for counter - current heating.
Based on the primary functions within each temperature range in the kiln, the rotary kiln can be roughly divided into three operational areas, also referred to as three temperature zones:
This zone is situated at the end of the rotary kiln. In the drying and preheating zone, the petroleum coke is heated to a temperature close to the calcination temperature. First, the moisture within the petroleum coke is expelled. When the temperature reaches approximately 250°C, the volatile matter begins to be released. The volume of volatile matter discharged is significant within the range of 500 - 700°C. A portion of the volatile matter burns within the kiln, while the remaining part is drawn into the combustion chamber. In this section, the petroleum coke accomplishes the tasks of removing water and a part of the volatile matter.
The calcination temperature of petroleum coke typically ranges from 1150 - 1250°C. When the petroleum coke enters the first half of the calcination zone, a small amount of volatile matter is still burning. The heat generated from this combustion can be utilized to raise the temperature of the calcination zone and extend its length. During calcination, the petroleum coke eliminates its volatile components, undergoes a rearrangement of its internal structure, and experiences a full - scale reduction in volume.
Once the calcined coke enters the cooling zone, its temperature starts to decline. This zone normally starts at the front end of the nozzles and ends at the discharge end of the kiln head. If a large amount of volatile matter is still escaping from the petroleum coke in the cooling zone, it indicates that the petroleum coke has not been fully calcined, resulting in low - quality product.
The use of a rotary kiln for calcining petroleum coke offers several advantages. It has a low initial investment cost, requires relatively small infrastructure expenses, and can achieve a large output. Moreover, it is easy to operate and requires less human resources. Compared with a tank calciner, the flue gas generated by a rotary kiln is relatively concentrated, which simplifies the purification and waste - heat recovery processes for the flue gas produced during the calcination.
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