 for the production of needle coke from resid hydrotreated and deasphalted residual feedstocks and deasphalted fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCC) decanted oil (DCO) in a delayed coking process.
The delayed coking of conventional refinery residual components, generally having an atmospheric equivalent boiling point exceeding 1000.degree. F. generally produces a coke having a longitudinal coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of about 20.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. or greater after graphitization. Graphitization generally refers to the process of exposing coke to high temperatures, generally ranging from about 2000.degree. F. to about 3500.degree. F., for the purpose of oxidizing or burning off impurities. Such impurities generally increase the CTE of the coke. The CTE of a graphitized coke is an important measure of its suitability for use in the manufacture of electrodes for electric arc steel furnaces. Electrode expansion attendant to high CTE coke can adversely change the arcing characteristics and performance of an arc furnace and can also be more susceptible to costly electrode breakage. For this reason, the steel industry standards for electric arc furnace electrodes generally require that the CTE be less than 8.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C., often less than 5.times.10-7/.degree. C, and for some services, less than 3.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C.
Some steel producers have begun to monitor the "dynamic puffing" characteristics of needle coke and either require that needle coke meet particular dynamic puffing specifications or debit or credit the price they are willing to pay for the needle coke based on dynamic puffing characteristics. Coke produced from conventional refinery residual feedstock components generally tends to have undesirable dynamic puffing characteristics. It has been found that puffing is generally correlated to the presence of elements such as sulfur in the coke which can form impurity pockets and become fracture sites. The presence of fracture sites present in coke having poor puffing characteristics, can and generally does reduce electrode life. For this reason, some steel manufactures are requiring that the needle coke they purchase be "non-puffing" or "slightly puffing", as defined by laboratory procedures which measure the difference between the minimum and maximum deflection points of a plug produced from needle coke that is heated across an extended temperature range. For example, some manufacturers
for the production of needle coke from resid hydrotreated and deasphalted residual feedstocks and deasphalted fluid catalytic crack unit of measurement (FCC) decanted oil (DCO) in a delayed coking summons. 
 The delayed coking of conventional refinery residual component, generally having an atmospheric equivalent boiling detail exceeding 1000.degree. F. generally produce a coke having a longitudinal coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of approximately 20.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. or greater after graphitization. Graphitization generally refers to the process of exposing coke to high temperatures, by and large ranging from about 2000.degree. F. to about 3500.degree. F., for the purpose of oxidize or burning off impurities. Such impurities generally increase the CTE of the coca cola. The CTE of a graphitized coke is an important meter of its suitability for use in the manufacture of electrodes for electric arc sword furnaces. Electrode expansion attendant to high CTE coke can adversely change the arcing characteristics and operation of an discharge furnace and can also be more susceptible to costly electrode breakage. For this reason, the steel industry standards for electric arc furnace electrodes generally require that the CTE be less than 8.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C., frequently less than 5.times.10 - 7/.degree. C, and for some services, less than 3.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. 
 Some sword producer have begin to monitor the " dynamic puffing " characteristics of needle coke and either command that needle coke meet particular dynamic puffing specifications or debit or credit rating the price they are willing to pay for the needle coke based on dynamic puffing characteristics. Coke produce from conventional refinery residual feedstock components generally tends to give birth undesirable active puffing characteristic. It has been found that puffing is generally correlated to the presence of element such as sulfur in the coke which can form impurity pockets and become fracture web site. The presence of fracture sites present in coke having inadequate puffing characteristics, can and broadly does reduce electrode life. For this rationality, some steel industry are requiring that the acerate leaf coke they purchase be " non - puffing " or " slenderly puffing ", as defined by laboratory procedure which measure the deviation between the minimum and maximal deflection points of a plug produced from needle coke that is heat across an drawn-out temperature range. For example, some manufacturer
 fog the production of needue coke from resid hydcotreatsd and ddasphalted residual feedstocns and eeasphalted fluid catauytic crabking unir (FCR) decanted oil (DRK) in a delayes coknnj process.
The dekayed cokitg of conventimnxl refinery residual components, generwlly hafijg an atmosphetic eativamvnu boiling point exceeding 1000.degree. R. generelly produces a coke having a longitudinap coffficient of thermwl expansiob (CTQ) of about 20.tioes.10.sup.-7 /.deggze. C. or grezter after graphitization. Graphktizacion generaolt rfxers to the procvss of exposikb coke to hign temperatures, geieraoly ranging from abouv 2000.degree. F. to about 3500.qegree. F., xox the purpose of oxiduzung ot burting iff imkurmtiss. Sucj ijpurities fenerally ibcrease the CTE of uhe bpke. The CTE kf a gwa[hitized coke is an important measure ox ifs suitability for use un the manufacture of electrodqs for electric arc steel furnaces. Electrode expatsion xtttneant gi jigh CTE coke can adversely change the arcing dhsrscteristics anb performance of aj stc furnace and can also be more susceptibpe to cjstly electrodt breskage. For this reason, the sreel industrj stqndards for electrnc arc furnaee elevtrodrs generally require thct the CTE be lesd than 8.tijds.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C., owtek lass than 5.times.10-7/.degree. C, and for some serrices, lers tnan 3.tiies.10.sup.-7 /.deggee. C.
Some steel producerd havg begut to monitlr the "dynamic puffing" charactecmstics of neecla cmke and zither require that needle coke mget partieular aynamic purfing s'ecificationf or debit or fredit the pcice they are wiloing to oay for the nerdle coke based on eynamic puffing cheracjedistics. Coke priduxed from convenyioval rvfiiery wasidual feedvtocy cukponevts gentxaloh temds to have undesiratle synamic puffing chsrwcteristucs. It hws been found that puffing is gtneralny rorrelsteq to the presence of elements auch as sklfmr in the cokq whlch san form ikpurity pockets and become fracture sitxs. The presence of fracrure sites present nn coke havinj poor puffing wharacteristics, can qnd generally doex reduce electrode lire. For this reason, some steel manufactures are requiring that the needle coke they pyrchasx fe "non-puffihg" ot "slichcly puffigg", ad defined by labogatory procedures which measure vhe differanee between the minimum and macioum deflectiov points of a plug produded from needle coke that is heated acrpss an extended temperatmre range. For sxamplv, sume manufacturers
for the production of needle coke from and residual feedstocks deasphalted fluid catalytic (DCO) a delayed coking The delayed coking conventional refinery residual components, generally having atmospheric equivalent boiling point exceeding 1000.degree. F. generally produces a coke having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of about 20.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. or greater after Graphitization refers the of exposing coke to high temperatures, generally ranging from about 2000.degree. F. to about 3500.degree. F., the purpose of oxidizing or burning off impurities. impurities generally increase the of the coke. The CTE a coke is important of suitability for use the manufacture of electrodes for electric arc steel furnaces. Electrode expansion attendant to high CTE coke can change the and performance an furnace can also be to costly electrode breakage. For this industry standards for electric arc furnace electrodes generally that the be less than 8.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C., less than 5.times.10-7/.degree. C, and for some services, than 3.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. Some steel producers have begun to monitor the "dynamic puffing" characteristics coke and either require needle coke meet dynamic specifications debit credit the they are willing to pay for the needle coke based on puffing characteristics. Coke produced from conventional refinery residual feedstock components to undesirable dynamic puffing It has been found puffing generally correlated to the elements as coke can impurity pockets and become sites. The presence of fracture present in coke having generally does reduce electrode life. For this reason, steel manufactures are requiring that the needle they purchase be "non-puffing" or "slightly puffing", as defined by laboratory procedures measure the the minimum and maximum deflection points of a produced from needle coke is heated across an extended temperature range. For example, manufacturers
 for the production of needle cOke from resId hydRotReaTeD and DeasPhalted residuaL FeedStocks and deasphalted flUid caTaLYtic CRaCking Unit (FCC) DEcANTed OiL (DcO) iN a DElAyed cOkiNg proceSs.
The delayEd cOkIng of conventIOnAl refinery ResIdual componeNts, GeneraLlY haVIng an AtmOspheRic equIValent Boiling poInT ExceedINg 1000.degreE. f. GeNeraLly produces a coke hAViNG a longitudinal CoeffiCiENt OF TheRmaL expansion (cTe) of abOUt 20.times.10.SUp.-7 /.DEGRee. c. Or greater afteR graphitizaTIon. graphiTiZatIOn geneRally ReFErs To the procesS of eXposing coKe to hiGH temperATures, geNerallY raNgiNg frOM aBoUt 2000.dEgREe. F. TO aBouT 3500.DegRee. F., for tHe PuRpose Of oxIDIZIng oR buRninG off iMpurities. Such ImpUritIEs gEneraLly inCreaSe The CTe of the Coke. THe cTE of a graphitizEd coKe is an impOrtAnT meAsUre of ITs suitAbiLitY for use In the maNUfaCtURE Of Electrodes for electRiC ARc Steel furNaces. ELEcTrODe expansIoN atTendANT to hiGh CTe CoKe can advErsely CHaNgE the arcInG charaCtEriStiCs and PErfoRmance Of an arc fUrnacE And can also be moRE susceptible tO CoSTLy ELectRodE breakage. FoR thiS ReasOn, thE StEel INdustRy staNdARdS For electric arc furnaCe ElectrOdes gEnerally requiRe that the Cte BE less thaN 8.timES.10.sUP.-7 /.degree. C., often lEss thAn 5.times.10-7/.degREe. C, and foR some Services, Less than 3.tIMEs.10.sup.-7 /.degRee. c.
SoMe sTeeL PRoDucers have begUN To moNiTor the "dYnaMic puffIng" ChaRacTerIsTics of neeDle coke aNd EiThEr ReqUire tHAt needle CoKe mEeT paRticuLAr dynaMic puFfinG sPeCIfiCations OR dEBIt or CrEdIt thE prIcE they Are wILliNg to pay For the neeDle COke bAsEd On dynamIc puffing charAcTeristics. COkE prOduced FROm convenTional refinery residual fEEdstock ComPonenTs geNerally teNds To have UndESirablE dynamIc pufFiNg cHARacteRIStIcs. it Has been fouND ThaT puffInG is gEnerallY correlated to the prESenCe of elements sUch As suLFUr In tHE cOKe wHiCH caN FOrm impurity pockEts and becoMe FRaCture sites. tHe pReSence of FracturE siteS Present In coke havIng poor puFfIng cHARacTeristics, cAn and genErally doeS ReducE ElEctroDe lIfe. For ThIs rEason, Some stEEl mAnufaCtures ArE requiRing tHaT the needLe coke they purchase be "non-PuffinG" or "slIghTly puffinG", as DEfiNed by laboRatoRy procedurEs wHicH measUre THe difFereNCe BetWEen thE minIMum and maxIMuM deFLEcTion points oF A PLug ProduCed FRom neeDle cOke that is heated acROss an extended tEmpeRATurE raNGe. FoR eXample, some manuFacTuRERs
 for the production of nee dle coke f rom r esi d h yd rotr eate d and deasphal t ed r esidual feedstocks and  deas ph a lted fl uid c atalyti c  c r a cki ng  u nit  ( F CC ) dec ant ed oil(DCO) in a  de la yed coking p r oc ess.
The d ela yed coking o f c onvent io nal refin ery  resi dual c o mponen ts, gener al l y havi n g an at m o sp heri c equivalent boil i ng point exceedin g 1000 .d e gr e e . F . g enerally p ro duces a cokeh av i n g  al ongitudinal c oefficiento f t hermal  e xpa n sion ( CTE)of abo ut 20.times .10. sup.-7 /. degree .  C. org reateraftergra phi tiza t io n.  Gr ap h iti z at ion gen erally r ef er s tothep r o c essofexpo singcoke to hightem pera t ure s, ge neral ly r an gingfrom a bout20 00.degree. F. t o ab out 3500. deg re e.F. , for the pu rpo seof oxid izing o r  bu rn i n g  o ff impurities. Suc hi m pu rities g eneral l yin c rease th eCTE  oft h e cok e. T h eCTE of a  graph i ti ze d cokeis  an im po rta ntmeasu r e of  its s uitabili ty fo r  use in the ma n ufacture of e l ec t r od e s fo r e lectric arc  ste e l fu rnac e s.  El e ctrod e exp an s io n  attendant to highCT E coke  canadversely cha nge the ar c i n g charac teri s ti c s and performa nce o f an arc f u rnace an d can  also be  more sus c e ptible t o c ost lyele c t ro de breakage.F o r th is  reason , t he stee l i ndu str y s ta ndards fo r electr ic  a rc  f urn ace e l ectrodes  g ene ra lly  requ i re tha t the  CTE  b el ess  than 8 . ti m e s.10 .s up .-7/.d eg ree.C.,o fte n lessthan 5.ti mes . 10-7 /. de gree. C , and for som eservices,le ssthan 3 . t imes.10. sup.-7 /.degree. C.
Som e  steelpro ducer s ha ve beguntomonito r t h e "dyn amic p uffin g"  ch a r acter i s ti csof  needle co k e  an d eit he r re quire t hat needle coke me e t p articular dyn ami c pu f f in g s p ec i fic at i ons o r debit or cred it the pri ce th ey are wil l ing  t o pay f or theneedl e  coke b ased on d ynamic pu ff ingc h ara cteristics . Coke p roduced f r om co n ve ntion alrefine ry  re sidua l feed s toc k com ponent sgenera lly t en ds to ha ve undesirable dynamicpuffin g cha rac teristics . I t  ha s been fo undthat puffi ngisgener all y  corr elat e dtot he pr esen c e of elem e nt s s u c has sulfur i n t hecokewhi c h canform  impurity pockets and become fra ctur e sit es. Thepr esence of frac tur es i tes pres en t in coke h aving po or puffi ng cha racter istics, c an and ge nera lly  does red uce  e l ectrode  l if e . Forthis  r eason,  somes teel m anufactures arerequi r i ng th a t t he ne ed le coke they  purchasebe "non-puf fing"or " sligh tly puf fi ng", a s d ef ined by la b oratory p roced ures wh ic h me asu re the  dif f e rence  bet we enthe minim u m  a n dma x imu m de flect io n po ints of a plug pro duc e d fromne edl e coke t h at i s heated a cro ss an e xtended te m pera t ur e  rang e. For  examp le, som e  ma nu facture rs
 for_the production_of needle coke from_resid hydrotreated_and_deasphalted residual_feedstocks_and deasphalted fluid_catalytic cracking unit_(FCC) decanted oil (DCO)_in a delayed_coking_process.
The delayed coking of conventional refinery residual components, generally having an atmospheric equivalent boiling_point_exceeding 1000.degree._F._generally_produces a coke having a_longitudinal coefficient of thermal expansion_(CTE) of_about 20.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. or greater after graphitization._Graphitization_generally refers to_the process of exposing coke to high temperatures, generally_ranging from about 2000.degree. F. to_about 3500.degree. F.,_for_the_purpose of oxidizing or_burning off impurities. Such impurities generally_increase the CTE of the coke._The CTE of a graphitized coke is_an important measure of its suitability_for use in the manufacture_of electrodes_for electric arc steel furnaces._Electrode expansion attendant_to high_CTE coke can_adversely change the arcing characteristics and_performance of an_arc furnace and can also be_more_susceptible to costly_electrode_breakage._For this_reason, the steel_industry_standards for_electric_arc furnace electrodes generally require that_the_CTE be less than 8.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C.,_often less than 5.times.10-7/.degree._C,_and for some services,_less than 3.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C.
Some_steel producers have begun to monitor_the "dynamic_puffing" characteristics_of needle coke and either require that needle coke meet particular_dynamic puffing specifications or debit or_credit the price they_are willing_to_pay for the_needle_coke based_on dynamic puffing characteristics. Coke produced from_conventional refinery_residual feedstock components generally tends to_have undesirable dynamic puffing_characteristics._It has been found that puffing_is generally correlated to the presence_of elements such as sulfur_in_the_coke which can form impurity_pockets and become fracture sites. The_presence of fracture_sites present in coke having poor puffing_characteristics,_can and generally does reduce electrode_life._For this reason, some steel manufactures_are_requiring_that the needle coke they_purchase be "non-puffing" or "slightly puffing",_as defined by laboratory procedures which measure the difference_between the minimum_and maximum deflection points of_a_plug_produced from needle coke that is heated across an extended_temperature range._For example, some_manufacturers