Method of operating a battery of coke ovens

Abstract

The operation of a battery of coke ovens with regenerative change of draught on heating flues includes adjustably controlling the combustion of gases in the heating flues to insure uniform vertical heating of the coking coal in the coke oven chambers. Control elements for the operation of discrete heating flues in each heating wall are adjusted to insure uniform heating of the coking coal along the length of the heating walls. A gas supply rate is selected for the delivery of gas into the heating flues to define a carbonizing time corresponding to a high output capacity of coke from the coke oven battery. The heat consumption by the coking coal in the coke oven chambers is reduced during each regenerative half period by interruptions to the supply of gas at the gas supply rate without modifying or adjusting the control elements employed to insure uniform heat distribution in the heating flues. The method may further include delivering gas into the heating flues at a greater supply rate than a gas supply rate at which combustion throughout non-interrupted regenerative periods will yield sufficient heat to achieve the high output capacity of coke. When this greater supply rate of gas is selected, the interruptions to the supply of gas are carried out to insure carbonizing the coking coal in the oven chambers within the carbonizing time corresponding to a high output capacity of coke from the battery. To interrupt the gas supply, gas supply valves are closed. The set positions of control valves for the air and waste gases are maintained or, alternatively, such control valves are positioned for operation during the next succeeding regenerative half period. A throttle valve may be positioned to maintain a relatively slight draught on the waste gas flue; however, valves for controlling the flow of regeneratively heated air and burnt gases may be positioned to stagnate the flow thereof.