Ahead of this year's AsiaCoke 2024, we spoke with Yusuke Dohi, Senior Researcherat Steel Research Laboratory at JFE Steel, to get a sneak peek of what we can expect from his presentation on 'Novel Technology for Effective and Efficient Utilization of Coal Resources in Coke making Process Based on Unique Evaluations of Coal Adhesiveness and Thermoplasticity' Here's what he had to say...

Hi Yusuke San, it’s great to have you joining AsiaCoke 2024! Please could you share an overview of what your presentation “Novel Technology for Effective and Efficient Utilization of Coal Resources in Coke making Process Based on Unique Evaluations of Coal Adhesiveness and Thermoplasticity” will cover?

My presentation will cover a basic concept of the novel technology; “Advance MOF diagram system”  contributing to more reasonable coal-selecting and coal-blending. The technology is based on three unique evaluation methods of coals, that is, “Permeation distance” measurements especially for evaluating high MF coals, “Surface tension” measurements especially for evaluating low MF coals, and “Chemically accelerated test (CAT) ” especially for evaluating non-caking coals. Not only technically important findings obtained through our research and development but benefits of the techniques will be demonstrated briefly.

Why did you choose to tackle this topic?

Because sometimes there was an unexpected difference of coke strength between the actual value and predicted one by the conventional evaluations. Low accuracy of the prediction resulted in an undesirably additional cost. We considered that there’s important factors to control the coke strength from a viewpoint of the fundamental behavior during carbonization. That is why we started to tackle the challenges.

What do you think are the key challenges facing the industry in 2024 and 2025?

Honestly, I have no idea. Just from my perspective, like other industries, cokemaking industry will face the more challenging situation that achieving the set target of CO2 mitigation in the business is going to be more strictly demanded.

What are you looking forward to at this year's AsiaCoke Summit?

I am looking forward to knowing the latest trend of the technical advance in cokemaking industry.  In addition, I am looking forward to meeting experts and knowing each other.

Why do you feel it's important for people to attend an event like this? 

Because we can get the latest information regarding the industry. Meeting experts and knowing each other are highly valuable as well.