Petroleum coke; calcined, obtained from bituminous minerals

HS code 271312 covers petroleum coke, a solid carbon-rich material obtained as a by-product during the refining of crude oil. Petroleum coke is a crucial industrial commodity, finding widespread applications in various sectors, including steel production, cement manufacturing, and power generation. As a high-energy, low-ash fuel, petroleum coke plays a significant role in the global energy landscape, contributing to the efficient utilization of hydrocarbon resources.

The production of petroleum coke involves the thermal cracking or coking of heavy oil fractions, such as residual fuel oil or vacuum residue, in specialized refinery units called delayed cokers. During this process, the heavy hydrocarbon molecules are broken down into lighter fractions, leaving behind a solid, high-carbon material known as green coke. The green coke is then calcined, or heated to high temperatures, to remove any remaining volatile matter, resulting in the final product, calcined petroleum coke.

The primary inputs for the production of petroleum coke are heavy oil fractions, typically obtained as residues from the crude oil refining process. Additionally, the production of petroleum coke requires specialized refinery equipment, such as delayed cokers, as well as energy sources (e.g., natural gas or electricity) to power the calcination process.

Petroleum coke is a versatile industrial commodity with a wide range of applications. The primary consumers of petroleum coke include the steel industry, which uses it as a reducing agent and energy source in the production of iron and steel 720110 Iron and non-alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms. The cement industry also utilizes petroleum coke as a fuel in cement kilns 252310 Cement clinkers. Additionally, petroleum coke is used in the production of aluminum 760110 Aluminum, not alloyed, unwrought, as a fuel in power plants, and as a raw material for the manufacturing of graphite and other carbon-based products.