Methods for evaluating whether there is a probability that coal will reduce the strength of coke using an apparatus including a stirrer. A degree of entanglement (a−b)/a represented by the heights a and b, or the height a only, is used as an evaluation index for coal, where a height of the semicoke on an inner wall of the container is represented by b, and a height of the semicoke on the stirrer is represented by a. Semicoke formed from heated coal is formed in the container using the degree of entanglement as an evaluation index.

A method of charging a coke oven with coal includes the steps of charging coal in a coke oven chamber, whereby a heap of coal forms in the chamber; and leveling the heap of coal, where the leveling step includes: introducing a blasting end of a blasting pipe into the heap of coal, the blasting pipe being in communication with a pressurized gas storage vessel configured to release gas blasts; releasing at least one gas blast through the blasting end in the heap of coal in order to cause a leveling thereof; removing the blasting pipe from the chamber.

This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

The device for pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials comprises a working chamber comprising a non-magnetic wall comprising an inner graphite lining; one or more electrodes adapted to be inserted within a carbon-based bedding; a solenoid coiled around the device exterior, the solenoid adapted to create a magnetic field within the working chamber such that when the solenoid is energized, the carbon-based bedding is caused to move; a lower solids outlet comprising an airlock, the solids outlet adapted to permit solids to exit the device; and a lower gas outlet adapted to permit gaseous substances to exit after having traveled through the carbon-based bedding. The method comprises the steps of loading carbon-containing materials into the working chamber; using the first and second electrodes to heat the carbon-containing materials by passing electric current through the carbon-containing materials without air access; collecting, cleaning and releasing gaseous pyrolysis products produced by the heating.

The device for pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials comprises a working chamber comprising a non-magnetic wall comprising an inner graphite lining; one or more electrodes adapted to be inserted within a carbon-based bedding; a solenoid coiled around the device exterior, the solenoid adapted to create a magnetic field within the working chamber such that when the solenoid is energized, the carbon-based bedding is caused to move; a lower solids outlet comprising an airlock, the solids outlet adapted to permit solids to exit the device; and a lower gas outlet adapted to permit gaseous substances to exit after having traveled through the carbon-based bedding. The method comprises the steps of loading carbon-containing materials into the working chamber; using the first and second electrodes to heat the carbon-containing materials by passing electric current through the carbon-containing materials without air access; collecting, cleaning and releasing gaseous pyrolysis products produced by the heating.

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.

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.