A coke plant includes multiple coke ovens where each coke oven is adapted to produce exhaust gases, a common tunnel fluidly connected to the plurality of coke ovens and configured to receive the exhaust gases from each of the coke ovens, multiple standard heat recovery steam generators fluidly connected to the common tunnel where the ratio of coke ovens to standard heat recovery steam generators is at least 20:1, and a redundant heat recovery steam generator fluidly connected to the common tunnel where any one of the plurality of standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator is adapted to receive the exhaust gases from the plurality of ovens and extract heat from the exhaust gases and where the standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator are all connected in parallel with each other.

The present technology provides systems and methods for detecting leaks in a coke plant. In some embodiments, the present technology includes discharging a gaseous tracer adjacent to a surface that at least partially divides a high-pressure system and a low-pressure system. The gaseous tracer can be measured at a location within and/or downstream from the low-pressure system to identify leaks in the structure.

The present technology is generally directed to systems and methods for optimizing the burn profiles for coke ovens, such as horizontal heat recovery ovens. In various embodiments the burn profile is at least partially optimized by controlling air distribution in the coke oven. In some embodiments, the air distribution is controlled according to temperature readings in the coke oven. In particular embodiments, the system monitors the crown temperature of the coke oven. After the crown reaches a particular temperature range the flow of volatile matter is transferred to the sole flue to increase sole flue temperatures throughout the coking cycle. Embodiments of the present technology include an air distribution system having a plurality of crown air inlets positioned above the oven floor.

The present technology is generally directed to systems and methods for optimizing the burn profiles for coke ovens, such as horizontal heat recovery ovens. In various embodiments the burn profile is at least partially optimized by controlling air distribution in the coke oven. In some embodiments, the air distribution is controlled according to temperature readings in the coke oven. In particular embodiments, the system monitors the crown temperature of the coke oven. After the crown reaches a particular temperature range the flow of volatile matter is transferred to the sole flue to increase sole flue temperatures throughout the coking cycle. Embodiments of the present technology include an air distribution system having a plurality of crown air inlets positioned above the oven floor.

Systems and methods of dynamically charging coal in coke ovens related to the operation and output of coke plants including methods of automatically charging a coke oven using a charging ram in communication with a control system to increase the coke output and coke quality from coke plants. In some embodiments, the control system is capable of moving the charging ram in a horizontal first direction, a horizontal second direction and a vertical third direction while charging coal into the oven. In some embodiments, the coal charging system also includes a scanning system configured to scan an oven floor to generate an oven floor profile and/or oven capacity. The scanning system used in combination with the control system allows for dynamic leveling of the charging ram throughout the charging process. In some embodiments, the charging ram includes stiffener plates and support members to increase the mechanical strength of the charging ram and decrease the sag of the charging ram at a distal end.

A pyrolysis apparatus reduces feedstock to gaseous energy sources and recyclable solids by moving feedstock through a processing unit via a feedstock transport mechanism that has sections that move the feedstock at respectively different rates through a retort within the processing unit. The feedstock transport mechanism may be an auger with a variable flighting pitch along its shaft. The pyrolysis apparatus may be modular in that processing units may be added and subtracted as necessary for any given installation. A restriction device squeezes ambient air out of the feedstock prior to entry into the pyrolysis apparatus retort.

A pyrolysis apparatus reduces feedstock to gaseous energy sources and recyclable solids by moving feedstock through a processing unit via a feedstock transport mechanism that has sections that move the feedstock at respectively different rates through a retort within the processing unit. The feedstock transport mechanism may be an auger with a variable flighting pitch along its shaft. The pyrolysis apparatus may be modular in that processing units may be added and subtracted as necessary for any given installation. A restriction device squeezes ambient air out of the feedstock prior to entry into the pyrolysis apparatus retort.

The present technology is generally directed to methods of increasing coal processing rates for coke ovens. In various embodiments, the present technology is applied to methods of coking relatively small coal charges over relatively short time periods, resulting in an increase in coal processing rate. In some embodiments, a coal charging system includes a charging head having opposing wings that extend outwardly and forwardly from the charging head, leaving an open pathway through which coal may be directed toward side edges of the coal bed. In other embodiments, an extrusion plate is positioned on a rearward face of the charging head and oriented to engage and compress coal as the coal is charged along a length of the coking oven. In other embodiments, a false door system includes a false door that is vertically oriented to maximize an amount of coal being charged into the oven.

The present technology is generally directed to methods of increasing coal processing rates for coke ovens. In various embodiments, the present technology is applied to methods of coking relatively small coal charges over relatively short time periods, resulting in an increase in coal processing rate. In some embodiments, a coal charging system includes a charging head having opposing wings that extend outwardly and forwardly from the charging head, leaving an open pathway through which coal may be directed toward side edges of the coal bed. In other embodiments, an extrusion plate is positioned on a rearward face of the charging head and oriented to engage and compress coal as the coal is charged along a length of the coking oven. In other embodiments, a false door system includes a false door that is vertically oriented to maximize an amount of coal being charged into the oven.

Pyrolysis apparatus (10) for processing shredded waste material, such as plastic and/or rubber waste, in which apparatus the material is processed continuously in a pyrolysis apparatus (10) that includes a feed device (30), a reactor (30) and an outlet portion (40) that have been equipped with conveyors, such as screw conveyors, and that can be used continuously. The screw (23) of the feed device (20) is at least partially placed in a liquid (22), which forms an air trap to prevent air from entering into the reactor. The outlet portion has a condensing collecting canopy (45) which is used to condense into liquid and recover the vapor formed in the reactor.