Petroleum coke is obtained during petroleum refining. It is mostly carbon. During refining, crude oil is distilled to recover gasoline, kerosene, and lubricating oils. The tarlike, heavy residue that remains after refining is heated at roughly 930 °F (500 °C) until it becomes a solid. This solid is petroleum coke. The coke is treated to remove impurities, including sulfur and heavy metals.
Coke production is increasing worldwide because crude oil production is rising in response to demand for transportation fuels. Petroleum coke is useful because it is rich in carbon. It may be burned to produce energy for industrial processes or electricity. It is also used as a raw material for products such as abrasives, control rods for nuclear reactors, and the electrodes used in steel and aluminum production.
See also Bitumen .
