Abstract: Methods and systems for coking coal blends to produce foundry coke products are disclosed herein. Methods for producing coke products can include charging a coal blend into a coke oven; and heating the charged coal blend such that a crown temperature of the coke oven is greater than a lower bound coking temperature. The pyrolysis duration begins when the crown temperature of the oven is greater than the lower bound coking temperature, and ends when the crown temperature of the oven is less than the lower bound coking temperature.

Abstract: Coal blends used to produce foundry coke products are disclosed herein. Coal blends can include first coals having a first volatile matter mass fraction less than or equal to a first threshold, and second coals having a second volatile mass fraction greater than or equal to a second threshold that is less than the second threshold. The coal blend can have an ash fusion temperature less than 2600° F. and an aggregated volatile matter mass fraction between 15% and 25%.

Abstract: Foundry coke products, and associated methods and systems for melting iron in a cupola furnace with the coke products are disclosed herein. A representative method can include receiving a population of coke products and iron in a cupola furnace, and melting the iron in the cupola furnace to form molten iron having a carbon content higher than a carbon content of the received iron. The coke products can comprise (i) an elongate shape including a length:width dimension of at least 1.5:1, (ii) an ash fusion temperature of no more than 2400° F., and/or (iii) a coke reactivity index (CRI) of at least 30%.

Abstract: A coke product configured to be used in foundry cupolas to melt iron and produce cast iron products is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the coke product has a Coke Reactivity Index (CRI) of at least 30% and an ash fusion temperature (AFT) less than 1316° C. Additionally or alternatively, the coke product can comprise (i) an ash content of at least 8.0%, (ii) a volatile matter content of no more than 1.0%, (iii) a Coke Strength After Reaction (CSR) of no more than 40%, (iv) a 2-inch drop shatter of at least 90%, and//or (v) a fixed carbon content of at least 85%.

Abstract: A coke product configured to be used in foundry cupolas to melt iron and produce cast iron products is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the coke product has a Coke Reactivity Index (CRI) of at least 30% and an ash fusion temperature (AFT) less than 1316° C. Additionally or alternatively, the coke product can comprise (i) an ash content of at least 8.0%, (ii) a volatile matter content of no more than 1.0%, (iii) a Coke Strength After Reaction (CSR) of no more than 40%, (iv) a 2-inch drop shatter of at least 90%, and//or (v) a fixed carbon content of at least 85%.

Abstract: Foundry coke products, and associated methods and systems for melting iron in a cupola furnace with the coke products are disclosed herein. A representative method can include receiving a population of coke products and iron in a cupola furnace, and melting the iron in the cupola furnace to form molten iron having a carbon content higher than a carbon content of the received iron. The coke products can comprise (i) an elongate shape including a length:width dimension of at least 1.5:1, (ii) an ash fusion temperature of no more than 2400° F., and/or (iii) a coke reactivity index (CRI) of at least 30%.

Abstract: The present invention is helical follower internal combustion engine. The present invention has a smooth, cylindrical follower orthogonally attached to a piston rod. The follower fits into two connected half-cylindrical, helical grooves formed by a two-piece cylindrical sleeve. The two-piece cylindrical sleeve is attached to a rotating cylindrical hub. Reciprocal motion of the piston causes rotation of the rotating cylindrical hub. The present invention has a feature that prevents the piston from rotating. The present invention can create electricity by connecting a rotor coil to the rotating cylindrical hub and placing a stator coil in near proximity. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention has an external drive shaft attached to the rotating cylindrical hub.

Abstract: The present invention is helical follower internal combustion engine. The present invention has a smooth, cylindrical follower orthogonally attached to a piston rod. The follower fits into two connected half-cylindrical, helical grooves formed by a two-piece cylindrical sleeve. The two-piece cylindrical sleeve is attached to a rotating cylindrical hub. Reciprocal motion of the piston causes rotation of the rotating cylindrical hub. The present invention has a feature that prevents the piston from rotating. The present invention can create electricity by connecting a rotor coil to the rotating cylindrical hub and placing a stator coil in near proximity. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention has an external drive shaft attached to the rotating cylindrical hub.