Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying preheated coal particles to a coking chamber through an enclosed pipeline by means of a pressurized inert carrier gas, wherein the coal particles are charged into the top of the coking chamber through a portion of the pipeline wherein at least the end of which is disposed vertically or not more than 30.degree. from vertical. The advantages of the top charging technique include one or more of the following: reduced carryover of fine coal during charging, increased density of the charge of coal to be coked, reduced weight of carrier gas per unit weight of coal, improved uniformity of coal bed level throughout the coking chamber, and reduced carbon deposits on surfaces of the chamber above the coal charge and in the gas off-takes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in a system which conducts a mixture of granular solids, such as preheated coal particles, and carrier gas, such as steam, to a plurality of enclosures, such as individual coke ovens of a coke oven battery. The mixture passes through a primary conduit and at least a portion of the mixture is diverted from the primary conduit by diverter means to a plurality of branch conduits. Each of the branch conduits leads to one of the enclosures. The method includes: removing a portion of the carrier gas from the mixture in the branch conduit prior to introducing the granular solids into the enclosure; and returning the removed portion of the carrier gas to the primary conduit downstream of the diverter means. The apparatus of the present invention includes a bleed-off conduit arranged between each of the branch conduits and a portion of the primary conduit downstream of the diverter means.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for separating solid particles from a liquid, including both light particles which tend to flow on or close to the surface of the liquid and heavy particles which tend to sink to the bottom of the liquid. The apparatus includes: a separation tank, an inlet means, a weir, a heavy particle outlet means, and a substantially clear liquid outlet means.

Abstract: Method for maintaining preheating equipment used for heating coal at a temperature within a temperature range normally used for heating said coal in said equipment which comprises introducing into said equipment a heat-absorbing liquid at a rate sufficient to maintain said equipment within said temperature range. Typically, the heat-absorbing liquid is an aqueous solution, preferably water, and said temperature range for preheating said coal is from 250.degree. to 700.degree. F.