Control of Coke Oven Emissions by Use of A Closed Pipeline Charging System

The body of information presented in this paper is directed to those individuals concerned with the control of air pollution emissions which occur as a result of the operation of by-product coke plants. It describes a new process which represents a major change in the charging operation wherein preheated coal can be charged to coke ovens via a closed pipeline system thus replacing the conventional larry charging car and thereby eliminating air pollution estimated to be as much as 70% of the total emissions from coke oven operations. Coal is dried and preheated in a continuous fluidized bed process utilizing products of combustion of coke oven gas. The coal is recovered in conventional cyclone collectors and conveyed to the ovens via a new and novel pneumatic conveying system where the gas used is superheated steam. Jet energy repeatedly thrusts the coal upward and forward through the pipe, obtaining a high efficiency of transport of solids ten times that of conventional systems. Major advantages of the process demonstrated to date include (1) elimination of emissions from charging, (2) reduction of emission from pushing, (3) improved battery top working conditions, (4) increased oven productivity as much as 45%.