Petroleum coke is a carbon-rich by-product of oil refining that can be used as fuel, an energy source or for industrial processes. Coking crude oil produces heavier fractions, which are more combustible, than the lighter fractions. The coke is then subjected to calcination (heating) in either a rotary or shaft kiln to remove the volatile material and increase its carbon content. The coke can then be refined to become anode grade coke for the aluminum industry or used as a fuel for power generation.
During calcination, the coke is heated to temperatures between 1200 and 1350 degC (2192 to 2460 degF). During this process, the coke is heated to temperatures between 1200 and 1350 degC (2192-2460 degF). After cooling the coke to below 200 degrees Celsius, it is ready for industrial use.
Most of the human studies on petcoke have been done with coke oven employees. These workers have a higher risk of developing cancer or chronic obstructive lung disease, according to epidemiological studies. However, there's no proof that the petcoke is responsible for this. Instead it could be due to multiple industrial exposures. It is also important to note that the studies in this area are often limited in scope and have small sample sizes, making it difficult to accurately draw conclusions based on these results.
More recently, a number of studies have examined the effects of inhalation of petcoke on humans. Short-term exposures (subchronic), in studies, have led to a number of lung changes including respiratory irritation and inflammatory reactions. Some studies have also found that long-term (chronic) exposure to calcined coke can cause lung damage with histopathological changes including bronchiolization, alveolar hyperplasia and fibrosis.
1-Hydroxypyrene (1-HP) is considered the best biomarker for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The body converts it to pyrene, which is excreted as conjugated glucuronide and sulphate in urine.
Overall, the available evidence suggests that calcined petroleum coke is not carcinogenic via inhalation, and that there is low risk of developmental toxicity but some risk of reproductive effects. Inhalation causes pulmonary inflammation as the primary effect on health. Studies of fugitive dust emissions from calciner facilities suggest that exposures at residential locations are not high enough to pose a significant threat, but further investigation is required in this area. For urban residents, the greatest danger of calciner facilities is their role in producing fine particulate matter. This is most likely to be caused by a combination of the smelter's emission of NOx, SO2 and PM10 in addition to that of other industrial sources of fine PM. This is a complex issue, and more work is needed to better understand this interaction.
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