Coking is a process used in the production of coke, a solid carbonaceous material derived from coal. This process involves heating coal in the absence of air, which drives off volatile substances and leaves behind a porous, carbon-rich material. Coking is essential in the steel-making industry, as coke serves as both a fuel and a reducing agent in the smelting of iron ore. The coking process typically occurs in large industrial ovens called coke ovens. These ovens can reach high temperatures, around 1,000 degrees Celsius, to effectively convert coal into coke. The resulting coke is then used in blast furnaces to produce molten iron, which is a key component in making steel.