Abstract: In a coking installation moist coal to be converted into coke is dried and preheated by being contacted by a hot drying gas. The hot coke which is formed is subjected to a dry quenching in which at least a portion of the heat lost by the hot coke during the drying quenching thereof is imparted to the drying gas. There is provided a closed flow circuit for the continual recirculation of a body of drying gas. The closed flow circuit includes a portion in which the drying gas comes into contact with moist coal which is to be dried and preheated. When the drying gas comes into contact with the moist coal water vapor becomes mixed with the drying gas. The water vapor is removed from the drying gas by means of condensation.