Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for charging particulate coal through ceiling holes into a coke oven. A conveyor above the coke oven ceiling is connected with each ceiling hole by a conduit. Mounted in the conduit is a first closure member which is movable to and from a position in which it permits gravity flow of coal from the conveyor to the ceiling hole. Also mounted in the conduit is a second closure member movable to and from a position in which it blocks the escape of gas from the ceiling hole. To charge, the second member is first moved to open position and thereupon the first member; when charging is completed the members are moved in reversed sequence to their closing positions.

Abstract: A cyclone separator assembly includes a conveying pipe for conveying a carrier gas and solids conveyed thereby along a flow path extending in a rectilinear direction. A diagonal wall extends across the conveying pipe in a direction which is diagonally inclined with respect to the rectilinear direction. A plurality of cyclone separator units are located adjacent the diagonal wall. A plurality of branch pipes, one each for each cyclone separator unit, convey carrier gas and solids from the conveying pipe to the cyclone separator units. Each branch pipe has a first end connected to the diagonal wall and a second end connected to a respective cyclone separator unit. At least an initial length portion of each branch pipe, taken from the first end thereof, extends in a direction substantially parallel to the rectilinear direction of flow of the carrier gas and suspended solids within the conveying pipe.