Abstract: In a coke drum an outlet arrangement is provided which allows removal of the coke from the drum without endangering the health or safety of workers heading or unheading the coke drum. Instead of using a manually removable bottom flange for the drum, a semiautomatic bottom flange removal system is provided. A spool is attached to the conventional, pre-existing, about 6 feet in diameter drum stationary bottom flange. The spool includes a tapered clamping surface. A new style removable bottom flange also includes a tapered clamping surface. The tapered clamping surfaces cooperate with clamp ring sectors movable by externally mounted hydraulic cylinders into contact with the spool and the flange, and other hydraulic cylinders mounted directly on the ring sectors move male locking surfaces into locking engagement with cooperating female locking surfaces formed on adjacent clamp ring sectors.