Abstract: Method for charging a coke oven chamber. Where the chamber is charged through a single charging hole with a stream of flowable preheated particulate coal at a flow rate of between substantially 8-20 tons per minute. The coal flows sufficiently in the chamber to assure filling of the chamber to substantially 100% of the volumetric capacity of the same. Due to the flowability of the preheated coal the charge is self-leveling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from water having solid contaminants dissolved therein. Contaminated water flows across a grid and into a storage tank. The grid utilizes solar energy to heat that water to a predetermined temperature. A heat transfer structure which is dome-shaped and receives water from the storage tank and a preheater means utilizing solar energy heats the water to a further predetermined temperature. An evaporator means receives the heated water and exposes it to a vacuum condition so that the temperature of the water is above the saturation temperature. The water is thus vaporized, and solid contaminants dissolved therein are separated therefrom. The solids are deposited on a plurality of moving belts and are then moved into a solids removal system. The solids removal system comprises a plurality of trap door pairs upon which the solids are deposited and which are sequentially opened so that the vacuum conditions existing in the evaporator are not disturbed.

Abstract: Coal is preheated prior to passing it into a coking installation by feeding measured amounts of the relatively wet coal into and through one or more circulation dryers heated to an elevated temperature and collecting the hot coal in a collecting bin and automatically measuring the level of the hot coal in said bin and automatically adjusting the amount of coal fed into said dryer depending on the level of coal measured in said collecting bin. Means are provided for preventing further adjustment of the coal feed rate should the exhaust gas temperature of a dryer fall outside the limits of a preselected preset temperature range and to bring the process back under level-actuated feed rate control once the exhaust gas temperature moves back within the preset range.

Abstract: A process for quenching hot coke discharged from an oven of a battery of coke ovens into a one-spot car. The process utilizes a unique arrangement of two sets of narrow angle spray nozzles to quench the coke. In addition to quenching the coke, one set of spray nozzles initially knocks down the peak portion of the coke pile and distributes the coke so that the exposed surface of the coke is substantially level. The quench liquid discharged through the narrow angle spray nozzles contacts about 50% to about 70% of the substantially level, exposed surface of the hot coke. Sufficient openings are provided adjacent the bottom of the one-spot car to drain the quench liquid to prevent the buildup of quench liquid in the quench car.

Abstract: A coke oven construction is provided having a vertical ascension pipe connected by an elbow to a gas-collecting main. A water seal is placed between the elbow and the collecting main and carries a stream jet aspirating pump. The seal and pump are movable in and out of position and the pump can be closed off.

Abstract: Bunker for supplying alternatively either hot, dry coal or cold, wet coal to a charging hopper or test bunkers of a plurality of coke ovens in a coke oven battery, comprises, a bunker housing having an inlet adjacent its top for charging coal and a lower portion with a plurality of downwardly opening coke oven discharge spouts corresponding to the number of charging hoppers and test bunkers. An inert gas feed line includes a portion branching off to the vicinity of each spout and provided with a plurality of feeder lines at the lower end of the spout and which also includes a plurality of spray nozzles in the line for directing a water spray in the direction of the inert gas flow.

Abstract: In a horizontal coke oven battery with at least one coke receiving device movable along one longitudinal side of the battery and at least one coke driving device movable along an opposite longitudinal side of the battery, an apparatus for determining the relative position of the coke receiving device with respect to the coke driving device and for activating the coke driving device when its position corresponds with that of the coke receiving device, comprising, a first wheel mounted on the coke receiving device for rotation with the movement of the coke receiving device, a first angle encoder connected to the first wheel for producing a first signal corresponding to the location of the first wheel and the position of the coke receiving device along the coke oven, and an input storage in the form of a magnetic disc connected to the first angle encoder for recording and storing the signal.

Abstract: Coke is charged into a coke oven chamber by positioning a filling hopper over an opening in the roof of the chamber and evacuating the chamber. A filling tube is lowered from the hopper to the bottom of the chamber and coal is fed from the hopper through the filling tube into the chamber while gas is evacuated from the latter during the filling. The filling tube is raised as the chamber is filled with coal through the tube and the velocity with which the tube is raised is controlled as a function of the subatmospheric pressure generated in the chamber by the evacuation of gas therefrom. Alternatively, the subatmospheric pressure generated in the chamber is controlled as a function of the velocity with which the tube is raised.

Abstract: A coke oven leveling bar is provided with downwardly tapered side members and cross plates to form a plurality of coal receiving pockets having a bottom opening larger than a top opening to minimize arching of coal within the coal receiving pockets.

Abstract: Preheated coal charges are pneumatically transported from charging containers by means of a neutral carrier gas to a degassing separator, from which the coal charges, free of the carrier gas, are supplied by gravity to the coking chambers.

Abstract: Coke oven charging apparatus includes an improved jumper pipe and charging hole sealing mechanism for conveying charging gases from an oven being charged to an adjacent oven. A substantially gas-tight coupling is formed between the larry car charging pipes and the oven charging holes, and between the jumper pipe and a charging hole in the adjacent oven, to prevent the escape of charging gases into the atmosphere and to prevent air from being drawn into the flow of charging gases. Exclusion of air reduces the temperature in the jumper pipe by preventing combustion of the charging gases, and minimizes adverse effects on the coking process in the adjacent oven.

Abstract: Method of operating a coke oven battery arranged in a battery in connection with a predrying or preheating plant for the coal to be coked comprises predrying and preheating coke oven charge moist coal by bringing it into contact with a circulated current of hot inert gas to remove water from the charge with the inert gas comprising a gas containing only a small amount of oxygen and a remainder comprising nitrogen, carbon dioxide and steam, charging the preheated and predried coal into a coke oven, directing the coke oven gases generated in the oven out through an offtake, and adding an amount of steam corresponding approximately to the amount of water removed from the charge coal during the predrying and preheating to the coke oven gases in the gas offtake. The apparatus includes a closed circuit in which steam is added to a line and then superheated by a heater and is directed into a secondary flash heater.

Abstract: An apparatus for catching coke oven spillage, generally comprised of a hopper movable along the bench floor located on the pusher side of a coke oven battery. The apparatus is positionable along the bench floor adjacent to any one of the ovens which comprise a coke oven battery such that coke released from the oven on the pusher side during the removal of the coke oven door and return stroke of a pusher ram is captured in the hopper. The apparatus is capable of depositing captured coke back into the particular coke oven.

Abstract: Coal mixed with steam is carried through a pipeline to a coke oven where the mixture is introduced through an opening in the oven top directly downwardly into the oven at a location remote from the exhaust outlet in the top of the coke oven.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spotting a pusher machine or other door-handling machine in relation to a coke oven. The method and apparatus are particularly useful for aligning a door extractor carrying a door with an open hot oven, but also may be used to align a pusher ram. The apparatus includes left and right heat or light sensitive detectors at opposite sides of the part to be aligned with the oven and aimed at oblique angles toward the extended center line of the part. When both detectors are actuated simultaneously, the part is aligned accurately with the oven.

Abstract: Crushed oil shale is segregated into a major portion of relatively large particles and a minor portion of "fines" which will pass through screen openings up to about 1/4 inch in size. The large particles are subjected to retorting as an upflowing moving bed in countercurrent contact with downflowing hot eduction gas, while the fines are retorted by controlled distribution over the hot upper surface of the bed of retorted large particles.

Abstract: A main carriage is displaceable in a transport direction along rails next to the unloading side of a battery of coking chambers. A substantially smaller auxiliary frame is displaceable on the main frame in the same transport direction as the main frame and carries several operating units including a door-removing device, a doorframe cleaner and a guide for conducting coke pushed from the opposite side out of the chamber into a quenching wagon next to the battery. In addition a door cleaner may be provided on the main frame together with a chain conveyor or the like having one flight extending on the main frame in its transport direction next to the battery and another flight extending across the main frame perpendicular to the transport direction so as to empty into the quenching car.

Abstract: A process for treating bituminous schists including the steps of crushing the bituminous schist, feeding said schist to the top of a retort, pyrolyzing the crushed schist in said retort as it is moved downwardly therein through a combustion zone into which air is introduced, removing volatiles from the upper part of the retort, and removing spent schist from the bottom of the retort, said process being characterized by maintaining the combustion zone at a predetermined level in the retort by feeding the schist in a gradual and even manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding bituminous schist to a series of retorts each equipped with a rotary distribution spout and a central feed channel, the retorts radiating from a central schist distributing tower. At least one hopper communicates with a central feed channel communicating with the retort, and is laterally offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the retort. Conveyor belts are provided for conveying schists from the central distributing tower to the hopper or the hoppers of each retort.

Abstract: A container for loose material, in particular for hot coal, during the operation of a coke oven battery including a novel deflecting means for directing particulate matter located in the gas emanating from the loose material back into the container to reduce the flow of particulate matter out of the container to minimize air pollution. The deflecting means is in the shape of an umbrella-shaped guide plate which is adjustable relative to the container to control an annular outlet opening for the gas. In the annular opening are located settling plates to further minimize the flow of particulate matter out of the container.

Abstract: An improved dust collecting system for a coke oven employs a bag filter dust collector as a common dust collector for both the coke discharge operation and the coal charging operation. First, the dust spouted out in the coke discharge operation and then successively and alternatingly, the dust spouted out in the coal charging operation and in the coke discharge operation are collected, whereby fine coal particles deposited out in the coal charging step are deposited on the layer of the fine coke particles firstly deposited out in the coke discharging operation. In addition, a combustion chamber is provided for burning the gases and dusts spouted off in the coal charging operation and a pre-dust wet-type collector is utilized therein for preliminary filtering before the same is fed to the common bag filter dust collector.

Abstract: A device for automatically detaching and/or loosening coke within a coke oven chamber, particularly such a chamber of the type having an inclined or obliquely extending floor, includes a track support adapted to be mounted at a position confronting the coke removal opening of the coke oven chamber. An elongated poking bar is supported by the track support and has at a first end thereof a stoking or broaching head for abutting or scraping coke within the chamber. A trolley is mounted on the track support for movement therealong, and the poking bar is pivoted to the trolley. A reversibly operable cable drive moves the trolley and thus the poking bar along the track support from an initial position whereat the poking bar is positioned outside of the chamber to an operative position wherein the broaching head of the poking bar is inserted into the chamber to abut against coke therein.

Abstract: Coal not normally used for coking is, prior to feeding to coking batteries, processed in a vertical suspension preheater heated by combustion gases from the coking batteries; the coal particles are separated from these combustion gases in two alternately operating sets of primary and secondary cyclone separators and are then supplied to coking batteries together with part of the combustion gases which serve as carrier gases for the coal particles.

Abstract: In a system wherein coke is ejected from a horizontal coke oven into a one-spot coke quenching car, a reciprocating coke guide extension which serves to spread the ejected coke more evenly throughout the one-spot quenching car, thus allowing more coke to be accumulated in the one-spot quenching car before it is required to be moved. The apparatus presents a means by which the falling coke column is directed initially to the remote side of the car, away from the coke oven, and at varying oblique angles from the central axis of the horizontal coke oven, concluding the loading operation by directing the coke to a point immediately below the exit from the coke oven.

Abstract: A pollutant collection and removal system is provided for use with a horizontally arranged battery of coke ovens. A receptacle having a coke entry opening is positioned in front of the coke guide and receives the total coke pushed from an oven and a hood carried by the support for the coke guide substantially encloses the coke guide and overlies the coke entry opening and enshrouds the discharged coke and pollutants generated during the coke pushing operation. Means are provided for distributing the coke within the receptacle while said receptacle is being maintained stationary (i.e. one-spot) for quenching and, after the pushing operation, the receptacle is moved from the coke guide and transported to a quenching station.

Abstract: A device for moving coke away from the coke guide and leveling coke in a one-spot quench car is disclosed. A plow is mounted on a coke guide car just below the exit end of the coke guide. The plow is connected to extension apparatus to project it outward from the coke guide, across the hopper of a one-spot quench car. As the one-spot quench car is being filled with coke, the plow is extended to push the coke away from the coke guide to provide additional space for more coke. When the one-spot quench car is filled, the plow is again extended to level the coke to enhance quenching operations. The plow is then retracted and the one-spot quench car is relocated.

Abstract: In a dry type quenching facility for red hot coke wherein an operation pressure at the upper portion of the quenching station is set up within the range of 0 to +10 mmH.sub.2 O, red hot coke is charged into said station under a reduced pressure of 0 to -30 mmH.sub.2 O, to prevent escape of dust and smoke from said station and thereby prevent polluting of the environment.

Abstract: An improved tripper beam arrangement for actuating the slats of a slatted top quench car.

Abstract: An arrangement adapting a slatted top to a single-spot quench car. The slats are opened and closed in selected groups.

Abstract: The device for pushing incandescent coke out of individual chambers of a coke oven battery which has a plurality of horizontally arranged coke oven chambers, comprises a trackway of spaced apart inboard and outboard tracks which extend along the length of the coke oven battery and a gantry-like carriage which is movable over the trackway and carries the apparatus for pushing the coke out of the individual batteries. The carriage includes inboard legs which are elastically connected to a platform portion which contains the movable ram and other operating parts and outboard legs which are rigidly connected to the platform. The outboard legs also carry contact pressure mechanisms which connect between the legs and the outboard tracks for distributing horizontal stresses to the tracks.

Abstract: The so-called float tar which floats on the stream of crude tar and ammonia water in the tar separator of a coking installation and which interferes with the clean separation of crude tar and ammonia water is removed by skimming the float tar off the crude tar and ammonia water mixture and subjecting the separated float tar to comminution and homogenization whereupon the homogenized tar product may be processed either separately or together with the bulk of the tar. An installation for use in the process comprises a tar separator in the form of an open top separator vessel, a channelled structure associated with the separator vessel, means provided in the separator vessel for skimming the float tar off the bulk of the crude tar and ammonia water and passing it into the channel of said structure, and a comminuting and homogenizing device which communicates with said channel through a grade drop.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying patching or sealing compositions to the interior side walls and roof of a coke oven. In service the refractory of the side walls and roof develops cracks which need to be sealed. According to the invention, a gunning apparatus is mounted on the pusher machine. The head of the pusher ram carries a spray nozzle connected through pipes and a flexible hose with a gun tank mounted on the pusher machine chassis. The patching or sealing composition is applied immediately after coke is pushed from the oven by running the ram through the empty oven without waiting for the oven to cool.

Abstract: A furnace has a filling inlet normally closed by a removable cover. An arrangement is disclosed which opens the filling inlet, then fills the interior of the furnace, and then recloses the inlet all in gas-tight and dust-tight manner in order to prevent the free escape of dust and gases to the ambient atmosphere when the cover is removed from the filling inlet. The arrangement includes a housing surrounding the filling inlet and having a discharging port and a first opening separate from the discharging port, and a filling arrangement which is operative for conveying a charge from the discharging port through the interior of the housing and into the filling inlet when the latter is opened. A cover-extracting arrangement is operative for removing and subsequently repositioning the cover.

Abstract: A method and control apparatus are disclosed for providing incremental position regulation of industrial apparatus, and for synchronizing movement of the apparatus, where an illustration of such industrial apparatus could be a coke transfer hot car, moving along a track at the coke side of a coke oven chamber, in conjunction with the forward advancement of a pusher ram, in the direction of proceeding through a coking chamber from the pusher machine side thereof. The present method and control apparatus are characterized by generating pulses that are encoded to represent actual incremental position displacements of the pusher ram. These pulses are used in a feedback control loop for positioning and speed control for the ram, and the pulses are used by a central controller to produce signal pulses representing the desired displacement for the associated hot coke transfer car.

Abstract: A method of smokeless charging of coke ovens with coal charge in which coal is poured into each chamber of the coke oven in two stages: firstly coal charge is loaded into the oven chamber through extreme holes and charging gases liberated during said operation are discharged simultaneously, the loaded coal charge is held within the oven, after which the latter is replenished to capacity with coal charge through central holes, charging of the oven which is next in terms of the charging schedule and replenishing of the preceding one being effected simultaneously.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for feeding powdered coal from a helical ramp into a high pressure, heated, reactor tube containing hydrogen for hydrogenating the coal and/or for producing useful products from coal. To this end, the helical ramp is vibrated to feed the coal cleanly at an accurately controlled rate in a simple reliable and trouble-free manner that eliminates complicated and expensive screw feeders, and/or complicated and expensive seals, bearings and fully rotating parts.

Abstract: A programmed pusher machine and coke guide machine are provided with interlocks, and ovens are each provided with identifying means that can be sensed by means on each of the machines, to insure that the scheduled oven in a coke oven battery is safely pushed.

Abstract: A filling system operating with an apparatus for loading coal into the charging hole of a coke oven has an upper feed tube, an intermediate feed tube, and a lower tube. The upper tube is connected to the apparatus and is adapted to receive coal from it. The intermediate upright tube is vertically telescopable on the upper tube and has a lower end, with a bellows-type cuff interconnecting the upper and intermediate tubes to prevent leakage from therebetween. The lower tube is pivoted and suspended on the intermediate tube and is alignable with this intermediate tube so that its lower end can sealingly engage over a charging hole in a coking oven and its upper end can sealingly engage with the lower end of the intermediate tube. The intermediate tube can be limitedly vertically displaced and the lower tube can be pivoted out from beneath the intermediate tube so that the filling system has clearance and can pass over the structure on top of the coking oven.

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: Associated with a coke quenching car, preferably a one-spot car, is a coke guide that carries a distributor trough. The distributor trough is pivotably mounted so that when the coke guide is racked out to transfer coke into the quenching car, the distributor is positioned to transfer the coke further out into the car and to better distribute the coke in the car.

Abstract: A plurality of coking ovens are arranged in a horizontal row, and an endless scraper conveyor is mounted above the charging holes of the ovens and has an upper run and a lower run. A quantity of coal is admitted onto the lower run of the conveyor at one end portion thereof to be transported lengthwise of the row. Coal is charged from the lower run into respective ones of the ovens in a sequence which progresses from a downstream end of the row counter to the direction of transportation, and the charging of each oven is terminated when a signal is generated that indicates that a predetermined filling level in the oven has been reached.

Abstract: An alignment bar is fixed relative to each coke oven chamber and a pivotable member mounted to apparatus movable relative to the battery engages the bar of a coke oven chamber and in so doing engages electrical contactors that regulate the movement of the apparatus. The apparatus is properly spotted within a preselected tolerance when the pivotable member breaks contact.

Abstract: A device for feeding granular and dust coal to a coal-gasifying reactor which operates under a pressure of 5 to 150 bars. A stationary housing is connected to the coal inlet of the reactor and a lock chamber member is rotatedly mounted therein. The lock chamber member is movable between coal-receiving position and a coal-discharging position. The lock chamber member has at least one chamber which is open only at one end and contains a displacing device which extends approximately to the entrance of the chamber. The displacing device substantially prevents an ingress of product gas into the chamber when in the discharge position.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging coke ovens with coal through filling openings in the coke oven roof comprises a hopper support which advantageously comprises a car undercarriage which is movable into position over an associated filling opening. At least one charging hopper is supported on the support for upward and downward movement and it has a lower end with a discharge connection which is engageable into the filling opening of the coke oven. The support carries a guide for the upward and downward movement of the hopper which is connected to a drive motor in the form of a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder combination. In one embodiment a compression spring supports the hopper in a fully loaded position and the drive motor which is connected to the hopper must overcome a slight compression force of the spring to move the hopper downwardly to engage the discharge connection into the coke oven opening.

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: A pyrolysis reactor has a feed system which includes one or more circularly arcuate feed tubes removably inserted through the outer wall of the reactor. Each feed tube is slidably disposed in a corresponding circularly arcuate external guide sleeve for positioning the discharge end of each feed tube at a predetermined location and orientation within the reactor. A hot particulate material normally suspended in a fluid carrier is fed into the reactor. The inlet end(s) of the feed tube(s) can be connected to a source of particulate agglomerative carbonaceous material suspended in a fluid carrier for injection into the reactor, preferably at a location where the hot particulate material is uniformly distributed throughout the cross-section of the reactor. Means can be provided to cool the particulate agglomerative carbonaceous material during transit through the feed tube(s) to prevent agglomeration in the feed tube(s).

Abstract: A car for receiving, transporting and quenching incandescent coke includes a series of normally closed slats covering the top of the car; they are adapted to open at the coke guide to receive coke. A stationary cam located on or near the coke guide may actuate levers as the car moves, to open the slats directly in front of the coke guide; as the car moves further along, the cam releases the levers and the slats close to minimize pollution of the air from coke combustion. The slats are also opened by a cam track in the quench tower.

Abstract: A solids feeder for transporting particulated solids from a solids feed supply into the bottom of a solids upflow vessel. The feeder includes a solids feed chute terminating in a bottom outlet spaced apart from and in essentially the same horizontal plane as the bottom solids inlet of the solids upflow vessel. A pair of solids feed cylinders provided with free-floating pistons are vertically mounted on a rotatable carriage positioned below the solids upflow vessel. The carriage is rotated between two stationary positions in which the cylinders are alternately aligned with the bottom solids inlet of the solids upflow vessel and the bottom outlet of the solids feed chute. Stationary hydraulic rams are positioned below both of these stationary positions to effect displacement of the pistons within the cylinders.

Abstract: Particulate solids are fed into a pressure reactor operated under a pressure of 5-150 bars by means of a guide cylinder which is secured to the reactor and surrounds the reactor inlet. The guide cylinder is adapted to be closed and a stationary feed conduit is directed towards the guide cylinder. A cylinder container, which is gastightly guided in the guide cylinder and has a bottom which is adapted to be closed, is moved up and down in the guide cylinder and when the bottom of the cylinder is open and the reactor inlet is closed the material flows out of the container into the guide cylinder whereas the bottom of the container is closed and the same is moved toward the open reactor inlet to displace gases into the reactor. The device for carrying out the process includes a guide cylinder secured to the reactor and surrounding the reactor inlet. The guide cylinder is adapted to be closed.

Abstract: An electrical pulsing unit in the pusher ram drive emits a pulse for every preselected incremental distance traveled by the ram from the face of the oven at the start of the push to the completion of the push. The pulses are received in the quench car locomotive and are converted to signals that show the position of the ram during its travel. The quench car has a similar pulsing unit, and pulses from this unit are converted to signals that show the position of the quench car. The quench car locomotive operator can then coordinate the signals to achieve proper coke distribution in the quenching car.