Abstract: A method for coke removal in delayed coker drums is provided. The method comprises the steps of draining from the drum of substantially free-flowing coke, performing a vibration signature analysis on the drum to identify whether and where any coke remains attached to the interior wall of the drum after the draining step, and cutting the coke from the areas identified by the signature analysis step.

Abstract: A self sustaining desalination system includes a chamber having a transparent inclined cover and a transparent bottom for receiving seawater or the like. The system includes a channel for conveying seawater to the chamber and a receptacle for receiving distillate at the base of the cover. The seawater is vaporized by solar energy passing through the incline cover and reflected up through the transparent bottom. A portion of the vaporized water condenses on the cooled inside cover and runs down into the receptacle. A second portion of the vaporized water is fed to the heat exchanger and condensed therein. In addition, a plurality of such systems are combined with a plurality of basic units each of which includes a wind turbine and an array of solar panels in a park like setting to provide electricity, drinking water and irrigation water for a small community.

Abstract: A new approach to the production of coke. In this process multiple optimized value streams are produced from a coke facility located at mine mouth or locally at an existing plant. As part of the process, lower cost Indiana/Illinois Basin-type coals are blended with conventional metallurgical coals. The blending process is optimized to meet coke quality requirements and simultaneously to obtain a pyrolysis gas composition suitable for production of ancillary products including liquid transportation fuels, fertilizer, hydrogen, and electricity. By using lower cost Indiana/Illinois Basin coal it is possible to reduce net coal costs. This process provides a new direction and approach for the production of coke in the future that optimizes value over multiple product streams while reducing both business and technological risk.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to identify a refinery solid foulant of unknown composition including the following steps: obtaining a solid foulant sample, removing trapped feed from the sample with a solvent to obtain an insoluble sample, scanning the insoluble sample with a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive x-rays, performing a thermal gravimetric analysis including an ash test on the insoluble sample to determine the presence of polymer, coke and inorganic elements, performing an elemental analysis on the insoluble sample for the elements carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, nitrogen, halogens, and metals, performing an optical microscopy on the insoluble sample to determine the presence of wax, asphaltenes, anisotropic coke and isotropic coke, and identifying the solid foulant.

Abstract: Methods for pretreating and improving coking coal quality for producing blast-furnace coke by: (a) rapid-heating the coal charge in a fluidized-bed to a temperature range between not lower than 300° C. and not higher than the temperature at which the coal charge begins to soften, at a rate of 30 to 103 ° C./min., (b) classifying the rapid-heated coal charge to fine- and coarse-size coal, and then (c-1) briquetting the fine-size coal or (c-2) rapid-heating the fine- and coarse-size coal individually in a pneumatic preheater to a temperature range between not lower than 300° C. and not higher than the temperature at which the coal charge begins to soften, at a rate of 103 to 105 ° C./min., and (d) forming the fine-size coal.

Abstract: A method for coke removal in delayed coker drums is provided. The method comprises the steps of draining from the drum of substantially free-flowing coke, performing a vibration signature analysis on the drum to identify whether and where any coke remains attached to the interior wall of the drum after the draining step, and cutting the coke from the areas identified by the signature analysis step.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coking oven in flat-type construction, a non-recovery or heat-recovery coking oven, which has at least one measuring apparatus for measuring the concentration of gasous constituents of the coke oven retort, the coke oven hearth and/or the off gas duct, and in which, on the basis of these data, a process control computer determines and regulates the optimal supply of primary and/or secondary air. Also embraced by the invention is a coking method employing a coking oven of this kind.

Abstract: A system and process for gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock uses pyrolysis to produce a gas product, which may include methane, ethane, and other desirable hydrocarbon gases, and a solids product, which includes activated carbon or carbon. The gas product may then be filtered using at least a portion of the activated carbon from the solids product as a filtering medium. In an embodiment, at least some of the noxious chemicals are sequestered or removed from the gas product in one or more filtering steps using the activated carbon as a filtering medium. In a further embodiment, the filtering steps are performed in stages using activated carbon at different temperatures. A high-temperature pyrolysis system that produces activated carbon may be combined with another high-temperature pyrolysis system that does not produce activated carbon to provide filtering of noxious compounds using activated carbon from the first high-temperature pyrolysis system.

Abstract: A process for treating solid organic materials, especially for recycling treated wood, uses energy provided by hot gases at the bottom of a reactor column to perform a distillation operation which ensures splitting of organic bonds in the material and uses, as the distillation operation progresses, constant control between a first temperature of the hot gases before they are introduced into the lower part of the reactor column and a second temperature of a layer of the material located in an area immediately above the grid of the reactor column. When the first temperature and the second temperature are identical or virtually identical, corresponding to removal of all the organic bonds of the material by evaporation and transport by the hot gases from the bottom to the top of the column, the layer of material at the second temperature is removed in order to collect a material that largely consists of carbon and constitutes a secondary raw material.

Abstract: Turbulent mixing condensation devices, methods, and systems adapted to condense a working fluid on particles from a sample gas to enlarge the particles for subsequent detection are provided. The device includes a vapor generator adapted to produce a working-fluid saturated carrier gas and a condensation chamber. The working-fluid saturated carrier gas is mixed with a sample gas containing particles to be detected and is then introduced to the condensation chamber. The operating conditions are controlled to enhance the condensation of the working fluid on the particles. The particles are typically forwarded to a particle detection device to detect at least one characteristic, for example, the size, of the particles. The flow of carrier gas to the vapor generator may be regulated to vary the degree of saturation of the carrier gas with working fluid.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and/or predicting abnormal levels of catalyst loss in a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The method and system measures a differential pressure across portions of a fluid catalytic cracker, such as a reactor cyclone or a regenerator cyclone, and determines abnormal catalyst loss when the differential pressure changes significantly from a baseline differential pressure. The claimed method and system implements algorithms using computing devices to detect or predict an abnormal condition based on the change in a monitored differential pressure in a fluid catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and/or predicting abnormal solids buildup in a main fractionator bottom of a fluid catalytic cracking system measures one or more process parameters of the fluid catalytic cracking system (such as a differential pressure across a reactor cyclone, a noise after the main fractionator bottom, a heat transfer at the steam generator, and/or a differential pressure across the main fractionator) and determines abnormal solids buildup when the measured process parameter(s) changes significantly from a baseline value. The method and system implements algorithms using computing devices to detect or predict an abnormal condition based on the change in the process parameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of refining crude tall oil. According to the method, the crude tall oil is fed into a column distiller, where it is separated into desired fractions. The conditions of the column distiller are adjusted on the basis of the composition of the feed and the product flow. According to the present invention, the densities of the crude tall oil fed into the column distiller and of at least one product flow are measured accurately as a function of the temperature. The density values are compared with correlation coefficients derived from the chemical compositions of the flows, coefficients which are obtained on the basis of laboratory analyses made earlier from corresponding flows, by using temperature compensation to specify the correlations, and by taking account of the regular variation in the wood composition of fresh wood according to the annual cycle and, as a result, the compositions of the flows are achieved.

Abstract: A foam level in a delayed coking drum is detected by utilizing the varying density of the boiling mass in the coke drum which has larger bubbles and is less dense at the top and smaller bubbles and a higher density at the bottom. A plurality of radiation detectors are disposed on the drum and calibrated such that zero radiation is equivalent to 100 percent level. The percentage reading for each detector is multiplied by the fraction of height each detector is in relation to the total height of all the detectors to give a product and the products summed to give a level.

Abstract: A low-energy input process for the pyrolytic conversion of biomass to charcoal or carbonized charcoal is provided. The biomass is sealed in a container, pressurized with air and heated to ignition. Control of pressure by input of air and release of gases to maintain successively lower pressure levels results in a typical time for the conversion of less than 30 minutes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching the coke drum vapor line from a coke drum to the main fractionator in a coker unit whereby the volume of quench liquid prevents the drum vapor line from plugging with carbon-based deposits. A differential pressure control technique is utilized to quench the drum vapors being delivered to the fractionator as opposed to a temperature, delta temperature, uninsulated vapor line, or fixed flow rate control as used in the prior art. Vapor line quench control by differential pressure prevents over-quenching of the vapor line during a coke drum switch, unit startup, or slowdown as well as under-quenching during drum warm-ups. It improves the fractionator recovery time from a drum switch and overall liquid product yield during the drum cycle which can be produced by over-quenching. It also prevents the vapor line from drying out at anytime, an under-quenched condition, as long as the quench oil quality and conditions do not vary significantly.

Abstract: A waste is dry-distilled in a gasification furnace and generated combustible gas is combusted in a combustion furnace. A temperature in the combustion furnace is set to be substantially constant at a first preset temperature or more. When the temperature in the combustion furnace is greater than the first preset temperature by combustion of other fuels, the combustible gas is introduced. When the temperature in the combustion furnace reaches a second preset temperature or more by the combustion of only the combustible gas, the combustion of the other fuels is finished. When the temperature in the combustion furnace falls below a third preset temperature the combustion of the other fuels is resumed. When the temperature in the gasification furnace falls below a fourth preset temperature, the combustion of the other fuels is finished.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for operating a coke oven battery comprised of a large number of identical coking chambers, a raw gas receiver, and throttle devices arranged in the raw gas receiver for individually controlling the gas pressure in the coking chambers. The throttle devices each comprise an immersion bucket that is acted upon by water. The coking chambers are connected with the raw gas receiver by gas lines terminating in immersion pipes in the immersion buckets of the throttle devices. According to the invention, throttle devices are employed that comprise an overflow that can be vertically adjusted by an actuating drive for controlling the level of the liquid in the immersion bucket. For a coking chamber to which a pressure control device is allotted, the setting signals for the actuating drive allocated to the time pressure curve in the process of carbonizing coal to coke are recorded in the form of a position-time curve.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum pyrolysis of rubber and/or other hydrocarbon material is provided. The apparatus includes tandem batch feed hoppers operated sequentially under vacuum to continuously feed the pyrolysis reactor, and tandem batch collection bins operated in sequence under vacuum to collect the reaction product from the reactor. A process for vacuum pyrolysis is also provided.

Abstract: When a pitch composition prepared by mixing 100 parts by weight of mesophase pitch with 10 to 1,000 parts by weight of coal tar pitch, is heat-treated at a temperature of 500° C. or higher, it is possible to produce a high-density coke at a high yield while avoiding the foaming of the mesophase pitch. In addition, when the coke is graphitized at a temperature of 2,000° C. or higher, it is possible to obtain an artificial graphite having a high graphitization degree. Further, when the coke is first pulverized and then graphitized at a temperature of 2,000° C. or higher, it is possible to obtain a high-crystallinity graphite powder which can be suitably used as a carbon material for a negative electrode of non-aqueous solvent type secondary battery having a high discharge capacity and a high charge-discharge efficiency.

Abstract: A film-type vaporizer in a vaporization enclosure, for example the upper column of a double air-distillation column, is associated with a measurement and analysis box where a polished surface and a spillway reconstruct the flow of liquid in the vaporizer in order to check for the absence of the deposition of impurities in the liquid that is to be evaporated. If deposition occurs, the impurities involved are quantified and analyzed and appropriate action taken on the settings of the machine.

Abstract: An ink jet printer has a printhead formed of a piezoelectric element having an electrical capacitance with a known temperature characteristic. A memory stores a reference temperature Tref and a reference capacitance Cref of the printhead measured at the reference temperature. A capacitance measuring section measures a capacitance Cm of the printhead at a temperature Te when the printer is in use. A temperature computing section computes the temperature Te on the basis of the reference capacitance Cref, the measured capacitance value Cm, and the reference temperature Tref. A table lists various values of the temperatures and corresponding values of the drive voltages. An optimum value is selected from among the values of the drive voltage listed in the table and is used for driving the printhead at the selected temperature.

Abstract: The pressure in the coking chamber of a coke oven is held at about atmospheric pressure, and the temperatures at the opposite longitudinal ends of the combustion chamber are independently controlled. Fuel gas is supplied to hold the temperature at the opposite longitudinal ends to be at least about 1000.degree. C. separately from a main burner for the combustion chamber, and the pressure in the coking chamber during the first part of coking is kept in a range from 5 mmH.sub.2 O below atmospheric to 10 mmH.sub.2 O above atmospheric pressure. This allows efficient coke production even with low moisture content coking coal, and coal crumbling near the oven doors is not a problem. The process is typically carried out in a coke oven having a pressure control system for each coking chamber including plural piping devices for supplying a pressure fluid and switching valves for selectively applying the pressure fluid to the nozzle in the rising pipe through any selected one of the piping systems.

Abstract: A blast furnace coal is produced by rapidly heating a coal blend having 10 to 30% by weight of a non-slightly-caking coal having softening initiation temperature T with the balance including a caking coal having softening initiation temperature T.sub.0 (T.sub.0 .ltoreq.T +40.degree. C.) at a rate of 1.times.10.sup.3 to 1.times.10.sup.6 .degree. C./min to a temperature region from (T -60.degree. C.) to (T +10.degree. C.) wherein T represents the softening initiation temperature of the non-slightly-caking coal; or rapidly heating a non-slightly-caking coal having softening initiation temperature T and a caking coal having softening initiation temperature T.sub.1 separately at a rate of 1.times.10.sup.3 to 1.times.10.sup.6 .degree. C./min to a temperature region from (T -100.degree. C.) to (T +10.degree. C.), wherein T represents the softening initiation temperature of the non-slightly-caking coal, or a temperature region from (T.sub.1 -100.degree. C.) to (T.sub.1 +10.degree. C.), wherein T.sub.

Abstract: A system for transporting and burning under negative pressure in a boiler a raw coke oven gas to produce steam energy. The system has the usual battery of coke ovens and corresponding ascension pipes connected to a collector main. Flushing liquor is sprayed into the hot coke oven gases to effect cooling in the collector main. A transport main delivers the cooled raw coke oven gases and flushing liquor to a burner of a steam producing boiler where the transport main includes a downcomer for separating the raw coke oven gas from the flushing liquor. The coke oven gas is burned in the boiler where a suction fan is provided at the exhaust of the boiler to develop a negative pressure in the system where the boiler has reinforced walls to withstand the negative pressure. A change in negative pressure in the system is detected and monitored by a controller system which varies draw of the suction fan in response to a detected change in negative pressure in the system.

Abstract: A device for drilling a layer of coke within a reactor to effect the decoking of the reactor includes a decoking tool arranged at one end of a hose for conveying a decoking fluid to the tool. The decoking tool has a first part and a second part coaxial with the first part. The second part has means for ejecting the decoking fluid against the coke layer, including a first ejection means for ejecting the fluid in a substantially axial direction downwardly to penetrate the coke layer, a second ejection means ejecting the fluid in a substantially lateral direction and a third ejection means for ejecting the fluid in a substantially upward direction to remove any coke accumulated above the tool.

Abstract: A method of controlling the rate of quench of coke in a coke drum to reduce deterioration of the coke drum sidewall in which water is admitted into the coke drum filled with hot coke to cool the coke includes the steps of determining the stress imposed on the coke drum sidewall by means of at least one strain gauge affixed to the sidewall and controlling the rate of admission of water into the coke drum in response to the determined stress so that the rate of water admission keeps the stress below a preselected maximum level.

Abstract: Method for the gas sealing manufacture of a door frame of a coke oven battery which battery comprises a refractory structure with an armor plate connected to it onto which the door frame is fitted characterized by the following steps:measuring the profile of the surface of the armor plate at the position where it faces the door frame in its mounted state;fitting a profile to one side of the door frame which in its mounted state faces the armor plate, corresponding to the profile of the surface of that armor plate measured in the previous step, in such a way that in its mounted state the door frame rests essentially against the armor plate;placing the door frame thus adapted against the armor plate.

Abstract: A dry quenching apparatus for hot coke is operated by collecting data on preceding operations. The heat balance is calculated based on the collected data to determine the heat content of the charged hot coke, and an optimal operating schedule is calculated based on the calculated heat content. Optimal operating conditions are calculated based on the optimal operating schedule, and the dry quenching apparatus is operated in accordance with the optimal operating conditions.

Abstract: A method for operating a battery of coke ovens capable of accomplishing an increase in production and a decrease in the quantity of heat required for carbonization. The battery of cove ovens include a plurality of carbonization chambers to which a series of working numbers indicating the order of unit oven workings are assigned. An operation step is repeatedly practiced which includes a working step of carrying out the unit oven workings in the order of working numbers with respect to the carbonization chambers without providing a working interrupting time between the unit oven workings and an interruption step of interrupting the unit oven working until the the carbonization chamber of the coke oven which has been first subject to the unit oven working reaches a time at which discharge from the carbonization chamber is made possible.

Abstract: A method for recovering a component from gas that is produced by a coke oven battery. The total amount of gas that will be produced by the coke oven battery is predicted by determining a quantity of coal charged, and determining variations of a production rate of the gas. Therefore, a prediction value of gas to be produced is made based on the quantity of coal and the determined variations. An error is determined between the actually-measured value of gas and a prediction value. The prediction value for that and other times is corrected. Based on this prediction value, gas recovery conditions for the coke oven gas are controlled.

Abstract: According to this invention there is provided a process for the heat treatment of noncaking, noncoking coal with a process derived gaseous fuel having a variably controllable calorific heating value.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a nonrecovery coke oven battery including a plurality of elongated coke ovens constructed in side-by-side relation with each oven having a separate system of sole flues beneath each end connected to the crown of the oven by measuring the temperature in the oven and regulating the draft to the oven in response to the measured oven temperature and by measuring the temperature in the sole flue systems beneath each oven and adjusting the draft to one of the sole flue systems only in response to differences in temperature in the two sole flue systems.

Abstract: A method for automated control of a petroleum distillation column in which signals representing temperatures, pressures and fluid flow rates for selected product streams withdrawn from the column are transmitted to a digital computer where, by means of a programmed algorithm, they are used to derive a true boiling point curve for the petroleum products of such product streams. The true boil point curve is then used to infer selected properties for the petroleum products which are compared with desired properties for the products of the monitored product streams and the differences between the inferred and desired properties are utilized to adjust automatically one or more of the operating parameters for the column so as to move the column's performance incrementally towards optimization.

Abstract: A method fo controlling fuel for a coke oven by a programmed heating method in which the fuel supply rate is changed at least once during the coal carbonization process in the coke oven, wherein the improvement comprises conducting the substantial reduction of the fuel supply rate from a large flow rate at the initial stage of the carbonization to a small flow rate inclusive of a zero rate when the coal center temperature, i.e. the temperature at the center of the coal packed in the carbonization chamber, is within a range of from 350.degree. to 700.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the detection and measurement of wall coke at a specific location in a fluid bed coker through the measurement of the vibrations of the external shell of the coker at the location.

Abstract: In the treatment of hydrocarbon-containing waste material, in particular plastic-containing waste material, by pyrolysis, gases containing hydrogen halide compounds which are formed are neutralized by the addition of basic additive material. Since the reacted additive material increases the pyrolysis residue, it is desirable to monitor the controlled feed of the additive material. Therefore, the pH value is measured in the low-boiling pyrolysis oil, which additionally also contains water vapor condensate, and the controlled feed of the additive material is automatically varied as a function of the measurement. The result is that the pollutants are largely, or at least adequately, bound with low consumption of additive material.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the detection and measurement of wall coke at a specific location in a fluid bed coker through the measurement of the vibrations of the external shell of the coker at that location.

Abstract: In a pyrolysis plant having a preliminary cooling stage and a final cooling stage, in the event of an operational malfunction of the preliminary cooling stage as indicated by temperature measurement of the pyrolysis gas cooled therein, the pyrolysis gas is withdrawn upstream of the final cooling stage and previously stored, cold pyrolysis gas is drawn from a gas reservoir and fed to the pyrolysis reactor and to the final cooling stage so that these parts of the plant can remain in unaltered operation. As a result of this procedure, a shutdown of the entire plant is avoided in the event of malfunctions of the preliminary cooling stage.

Abstract: A method of detecting the rate of corrosion of an existing steel structure installed in a corrosive environment is disclosed. The method includes treating a measurement surface of the member so that an AC impedance of the measurement surface, when electrochemically measured at a predetermined high frequency range of potential variation applied to the measured surface, takes a first valve within a predetermined range; and second value of the impedance is then electrochemically measured at a low frequency range of potential variation applied thereto. The difference between the first and second values is calculated to detect the corrosion-reaction resistance of the surface and the rate of corrosion is determined on the basis of the detected corrosion-reaction resistance and according to a pre-calculated relation between the rate of corrosion and the corrosion-reaction resistance.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing a substantial portion of water and impurities from low rank coal and peat, whereby an improved coal or peat product (not found in nature) is obtained. The low rank coal and peat are subjected to a superheated gaseous medium, thereby substantially desorbing the moisture from the coal or peat and producing superheated gases. A substantial portion of the superheated gases produced is recycled back in contact with the coal being dried. Sufficient heat is added to the recycled gases, in response to monitoring, so that the recycled gases are maintained in a substantially superheated condition throughout. This process produces a dried, substantially purified product which retains a substantial portion of its volatile content, which has an improved heat value per unit weight, and which will not absorb substantial moisture when stored or transported. In one embodiment, the process utilizes superheated steam to initiate the drying process.

Abstract: A method of handling, as bulk material, a substance which is one member of a class of multi-component substances includes subjecting successive test samples of the substance to a series of measurements which provide multiple data points which are influenced by at least one selected parameter and from which are determined the factor loadings for the respective test sample of each of multiple pre-determined abstract factors. Pre-determined regression coefficients are utilized to calculate from the factor loadings a predicted value for the selected parameter for the respective test sample. The predicted value is compared with one or more related set points, and the constitution and/or disposition of the substance is controlled in response to the outcome of the successive comparisons.

Abstract: Method of controlling heat input into a coke oven to obtain a desired temperature of the coke mass of the oven at the time of pushing comprising (1) determine the moisture content and heat of carbonization of a sample of coal scheduled for transfer into the oven; (2) determine a coal mass, a target coking time, and an efficiency for said oven; (3) calculate the heat requirement and temperature of the coke mass during the coking operation of the coke oven based upon the coal moisture, the heat of carbonization, the coal mass, the target coking time, and the efficiency; (4) determine the temperature of the coke mass during the coking operation; (5) compare the temperature determined from step (4) with the calculated temperature based upon the calculation of step (3); (6) analyze any deviations noted in step (5) to obtain a more accurate heat requirement for said oven, and (7) vary the heat input into said oven in accordance with the more accurate heat requirement.

Abstract: An oven for heating a distillable material in a preselected gas atmosphere. The oven comprises an inner heating chamber adapted to receive a spherical gravity lid, the heating chamber being connected to and in communication with a gas exhaust tube having a condensate trap at the termination thereof. The inner heating chamber is also in communication with and surrounded by an outer gas flow chamber, the outer gas flow chamber having a plurality of heater elements therein. The gas exhaust tube is surrounded by an ante chamber which is in communication with the outer chamber. The heater elements are continuously monitored by a programmable controller and a thermocouple in communication therewith. During oven operation, a purge gas is introduced to the ante chamber and flows therefrom into the outer gas flow chamber around the heater elements and into the top of the inner heating chamber.

Abstract: The Reid Vapor Pressure of a hydrocarbon mixture consisting essentially of hydrocarbons selected from the same series is determined based on the actual temperature and vapor pressure of the hydrocarbons mixture. The thus determined Reid Vapor Pressure may be compared to a set point for the Reid Vapor Pressure with the results of the comparison being utilized to maintain the actual Reid Vapor Pressure substantially equal to the desired Reid Vapor Pressure.

Abstract: Hot coke 3 expelled from a coking chamber is conveyed in a quenching car 2 to a quenching tower 4 past an infra-red detector 6 which provides a signal to initiate supply of the quenching water. It is a problem to control the amount of quenching water supplied to achieve adequate quenching without adding excess humidity. To solve this, the detector produces an analogue signal dependent on the surface temperature of the passing coke, and the duration of supply of quenching water is determined from this signal. The signal may also be used to control variation of the degree of quenching at different parts of the car and also to control the heating of the coking chamber.

Abstract: A method of regulating fuel for a coke oven by a programmed heating method in which a change of the fuel supply rate contains at least one substantial reduction during the coal carbonization process in the coke oven, wherein the improvement comprises setting up a standard curve for the ethylene concentration or the tar concentration based on the operating conditions of the coke oven and the conditions of feed coal, measuring the ethylene concentration or the tar concentration in the coke oven gas generated in the carbonization chamber, and controlling the fuel supply rate so as to minimize the difference between the measured value and the standard value.

Abstract: In a method of making coke in coke-ovens of a coke oven battery, the coke temperature is measured using at least one infra-red sensor after pushing of the coke from a coke-oven and before quenching of the coke. A value corresponding to the difference between measured value of the coke temperature and a predetermined reference value is determined for each of a plurality of coke loads pushed from a series of coke-ovens. The mean of said difference values is determined and the combustion gas supply to at least a plurality of coke-ovens of the battery is adjusted in dependence on said mean of the difference values. In this way, better control of the temperature of the coke at the end of the coking time can be achieved, with less deviation of the coke temperature from the reference value.

Abstract: Micro-reactivity of cokes can be estimated by carbonizing a small sample of powdered coal to form a char and until constant weight at a desired test temperature, then measuring weight loss in a given time.

Abstract: Production-worthy method and system comprising two computer-based subsystems for determining temperature of an irradiant mass movable through process means in a hostile environment exemplified as coke guide and coke oven in a battery of ovens. System is usable in other industries such as at cement kilns and the like. First subsystem which is carried by a movable coke guide/door machine, includes one or more coke guide pyrometers arranged vertically, each with a sighting window monitor to detect optical errors, an onboard computerized and cooled electronics package for acquiring and processing temperature data and automatically detecting same for pyrometer drift and optical errors, and automatically correcting for these errors, and further including a plug-in portable terminal with a printer.