Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVED COKE QUENCHING
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present technology is generally directed to systems and
methods for
quenching coke. More specifically, some embodiments are directed to systems
and
methods for improving the coke quenching process by partially cracking an
amount of
coke in order to improve the efficiency of the quenching process.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Coke is a solid carbon fuel and carbon source used to melt and
reduce
iron ore in the production of steel. In one process, known as the "Thompson
Coking
Process," coke is produced by batch feeding pulverized coal to an oven that is
sealed
and heated to very high temperatures for 24 to 48 hours under closely-
controlled
atmospheric conditions. Coking ovens have been used for many years to convert
coal into metallurgical coke. During the coking process, finely crushed coal
is heated
under controlled temperature conditions to devolatilize the coal and form a
fused
mass of coke having a predetermined porosity and strength. Because the
production
of coke is a batch process, multiple coke ovens are operated simultaneously.
[0003] The melting and fusion process undergone by the coal particles
during
the heating process is an important part of coking. The degree of melting and
degree
of assimilation of the coal particles into the molten mass determine the
characteristics of the coke produced. In order to produce the strongest coke
from a
particular coal or coal blend, there is an optimum ratio of reactive to inert
entities in
the coal. The porosity and strength of the coke are important for the ore
refining
process and are determined by the coal source and/or method of coking.
[0004] Coal particles or a blend of coal particles are charged into hot
ovens, and
the coal is heated in the ovens in order to remove volatile matter ("VM") from
the
resulting coke. The coking process is highly dependent on the oven design, the
type
of coal, and conversion temperature used. Typically, ovens are adjusted during
the
coking process so that each charge of coal is coked out in approximately the
same
amount of time. Once the coal is "coked out" or fully coked, the coke is
removed
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from the oven and quenched with water to cool it below its ignition
temperature.
Alternatively, the coke is dry quenched with an inert gas. The quenching
operation
must also be carefully controlled so that the coke does not absorb too much
moisture. Once it is quenched, the coke is screened and loaded into rail cars
or
trucks for shipment.
[0005] Because coal is fed into hot ovens, much of the coal feeding
process is
automated. In slot-type or vertical ovens, the coal is typically charged
through slots
or openings in the top of the ovens. Such ovens tend to be tall and narrow.
Horizontal non-recovery or heat recovery type coking ovens are also used to
produce
coke. In the non-recovery or heat recovery type coking ovens, conveyors are
used to
convey the coal particles horizontally into the ovens to provide an elongate
bed of
coal.
[0006] As the source of coal suitable for forming metallurgical coal
("coking
coal") has decreased, attempts have been made to blend weak or lower quality
coals
("non-coking coal") with coking coals to provide a suitable coal charge for
the ovens.
One way to combine non-coking and coking coals is to use compacted or stamp-
charged coal. The coal may be compacted before or after it is in the oven. In
some
embodiments, a mixture of non-coking and coking coals is compacted to greater
than
fifty pounds per cubic foot in order to use non-coking coal in the coke making
process. As the percentage of non-coking coal in the coal mixture is
increased,
higher levels of coal compaction are required (e.g., up to about sixty-five to
seventy-
five pounds per cubic foot). Commercially, coal is typically compacted to
about 1.15
to 1.2 specific gravity (sg) or about 70-75 pounds per cubic foot.
[0007] Once the coal is fully coked out, the resulting coke typically
takes the
form of a substantially intact coke loaf that is then quenched with water or
another
liquid. Because the coke loaf stays intact during quenching, the quenching
liquid may
encounter difficulty penetrating the intact coke loaf. The difficulty can lead
to myriad
disadvantages including increased water usage, longer quench times that can
cripple
the throughput of the coke plant, excessive moisture levels in the coke, large
variations in coke moisture, and increased risk of melting plant equipment if
the coke
is not cooled rapidly enough. This difficulty is compounded in the case of
stamp
charging, in which coal is compacted before it is baked to form coke. Some
conventional systems attempt to improve the efficiency of the quench by
dropping the
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coke loaf a vertical distance of several feet to break up the coke loaf prior
to
quenching. However, such quenching procedures that include vertical drops of
several feet often result in a large amount of coke dust that flies out of the
container
in which it is otherwise contained, while still not significantly improving
the efficiency
of the quench. This coke dust (as well as other related drawbacks) may
necessitate
additional capital expenses for adding removal sheds or special collectors to
suppress or reclaim the coke dust.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a coke making
process.
[0009] Figure 2A is a top view of an open bump plate configured in
accordance
with embodiments of the technology.
[0010] Figure 2B is a side view of an open bump plate configured in
accordance
with embodiments of the technology.
[0011] Figure 2C is a three-dimensional view of an open bump plate
configured
in accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0012] Figure 2D is a bottom view of an open bump plate configured in
accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0013] Figure 3A is a top view of a closed bump plate configured in
accordance
with embodiments of the technology.
[0014] Figure 3B is a side view of a closed bump plate configured in
accordance
with embodiments of the technology.
[0015] Figure 3C is a three-dimensional view of a closed bump plate
configured
in accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0016] Figure 3D is a bottom view of a closed bump plate configured in
accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0017] Figure 4A is a top view of a hybrid bump plate configured in
accordance
with embodiments of the technology.
[0018] Figure 4B is a left side view of a hybrid bump plate configured in
accordance with embodiments of the technology.
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[0019] Figure 4C is a right side view of a hybrid bump plate configured
in
accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0020] Figure 4D is a three-dimensional view of a hybrid bump plate
configured
in accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0021] Figure 4E is a bottom view of a hybrid bump plate configured in
accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0022] Figure 5A is a top view of an angle ramp plate configured in
accordance
with embodiments of the technology.
[0023] Figure 5B is a side view of an angle ramp plate configured in
accordance
with embodiments of the technology.
[0024] Figure 5C is a three-dimensional view of an angle ramp plate
configured
in accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0025] Figure 5D is a bottom view of an angle ramp plate configured in
accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0026] Figure 6A is a top view of an inclined ramp plate configured in
accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0027] Figure 6B is a side view of an inclined ramp plate configured in
accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0028] Figure 6C is a three-dimensional view of an inclined ramp plate
configured in accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0029] Figure 6D is a bottom view of an inclined ramp plate configured in
accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0030] Figure 7A is a side view of a first embodiment of a hybrid
inclined
ramp/open bump plate configured in accordance with embodiments of the
technology.
[0031] Figure 7B is a side view of a second embodiment of a hybrid
inclined
ramp/open bump plate configured in accordance with embodiments of the
technology.
[0032] Figure 8 is a side view of a hybrid angle ramp/closed bump plate
configured in accordance with embodiments of the technology.
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[0033] Figure 9A is a top view of a first bump plate array design in
accordance
with embodiments of the technology.
[0034] Figure 9B is a top view of a second bump plate array design in
accordance with embodiments of the technology.
[0035] Figure 10A is a side cutaway view of a train car equipped with an
angle
kick plate mounted to a tailgate.
[0036] Figure 10B is a side cutaway view of a train car equipped with a
forked
kick plate mounted to a tailgate.
[0037] Figure 10C is a top view of a train car configured in accordance
with
embodiments of the technology.
[0038] Figure 11A is a side cutaway view of an embodiment of the
technology
that cracks coke during transfer from a coke oven to a train car, hot car,
quench car,
or combined hot car/quench car.
[0039] Figure 11B is a side cutaway view of an embodiment of the
technology
that cracks coke during transfer from a first train car, hot car, quench car,
or
combined hot car/quench car to a second train car, hot car, quench car, or
combined
hot car/quench car.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] The present technology describes various embodiments of methods
and
systems for improved coke quenching. More specifically, some embodiments are
directed to methods and systems for improving the coke quenching process by
partially cracking coke in order to improve the efficiency of the quenching
process. In
one embodiment, a coke loaf is partially cracked when placed in vertical
communication with a surface over a vertical distance that is less than the
height of
the coke loaf. In another embodiment, coke is partially cracked when placed in
vertical or horizontal communication with one or more uneven surfaces such as
a
bump plate, an angle ramp plate, an inclined ramp plate, or a combination or
hybrid
thereof. In another embodiment, a mass of coke is partially cracked when first
placed in vertical communication with one or more uneven surfaces such as a
bump
plate, an angle ramp plate, an inclined ramp plate, or a combination or hybrid
thereof,
and then placed in horizontal communication with the same or a different
uneven
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surface. In some embodiments, the one or more uneven surfaces may be mounted
to a coke oven, train car, hot car, quench car, or combined hot car/quench
car.
Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more kick plates may be mounted to
the
tailgate of the train car, hot car, quench car, or combined hot car/quench car
to place
the rear portions of the coke in further communication with the uneven surface
and/or
the kick plate when the tailgate is closed. By placing the coke in
communication with
the uneven surfaces and/or the kick plate, the coke is cracked to yield pieces
of coke
without generating a significant amount of fly coke. In addition, the cracks
in the coke
enable liquid used during the quenching process to more efficiently penetrate
and
lower the temperature of the coke. Accordingly, the present technology
improves the
quenching process by reducing quench times, reducing liquid usage, minimizing
risk
to coke plant equipment, and minimizing the amount of fly coke during the
quenching
process.
[0041] Specific details of several embodiments of the technology are
described
below with reference to Figures 1-11B. Other details describing well-known
structures and systems often associated with coke making and/or quenching have
not been set forth in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily
obscuring the
description of the various embodiments of the technology. Many of the details,
dimensions, angles, and other features shown in the Figures are merely
illustrative of
particular embodiments of the technology. Accordingly, other embodiments can
have
other details, dimensions, angles, and features without departing from the
spirit or
scope of the present technology. A person of ordinary skill in the art,
therefore, will
accordingly understand that the technology may have other embodiments with
additional elements, or the technology may have other embodiments without
several
of the features shown and described below with reference to Figures 1-11B.
[0042] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a coke making
process.
A mass of coal 105 is loaded into coke oven 110 and baked at temperatures that
typically exceed 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the coal is "coked out" or
fully
coked, the resulting coke loaf is removed from the oven and transferred to a
train car,
hot car, quench car, or combined hot car/quench car 125. In one embodiment,
the
coke loaf is partially cracked during the transfer by placing the coke loaf in
communication with one or more uneven surfaces that are adapted to crack the
coke
loaf. As will be described in further detail below, the uneven surface may
comprise a
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bump plate (with one or more open or closed ends), an angle ramp plate, an
inclined
ramp plate, or a hybrid plate. The uneven surface may be mounted to the coke
oven,
train car, hot car, quench car, combined hot car/quench car, or to any other
apparatus that may come into contact with the coke loaf prior to quenching.
After the
coke loaf is placed in communication with the one or more uneven surfaces, the
coke
loaf is then transported to quench tower 120 for quenching.
[0043] Figures 2A-2D are views of an open bump plate 200 configured in
accordance with embodiments of the technology. Referring to Figures 2A-2D
together, open bump plate 200 is configured to partially crack coke that comes
into
vertical or horizontal communication with the bump plate for more efficient
quenching.
Open bump plate 200 may be formed out of a variety of materials, including
metal or
any other material having properties suitable for cracking coke. Open bump
plate
200 includes abase 205 that may contain one or more mounting holes 210
extending
therethrough for mounting the base to a surface 230 via one or more
conventional
mounting screws (not shown). Attached to base 205 is a bump 215 that extends
from the base and has an elevation that is uneven with respect to the base.
Bump
215 may contain an opening 220 at one or both ends.
[0044] Figures 3A-3D are views of a closed bump plate 300 configured in
accordance with embodiments of the technology. Referring to Figures 3A-3D
together, closed bump plate 300 is configured to partially crack coke that
comes into
vertical or horizontal communication with the bump plate for more efficient
quenching.
Closed bump plate 300 may be formed out of a variety of materials, including
metal
or any other material having properties suitable for cracking coke. Closed
bump
plate 300 includes a base 305 that may contain one or more mounting holes 310
extending therethrough for mounting the base to a surface 330 via one or more
conventional mounting screws (not shown). Attached to base 305 is a bump 315
that
extends from the base and has an elevation that is uneven with respect to the
base.
Bump 315 may comprise an end cap 325 at one or both ends. Sealing one or both
ends of the bump may prevent loose coke pieces or other undesirable materials
from
becoming trapped inside of the bump. Further, in some embodiments, end cap 325
may contain one or more breather holes 335 to allow loose coke pieces, water,
air or
other undesirable materials to exit the bump without becoming trapped.
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[0045] Figures 4A-4E are views of a hybrid bump plate 400 comprising a
bump
with one open end and one closed end. Referring to Figures 4A-4E together,
hybrid
bump plate 400 is configured to partially crack coke that comes into vertical
or
horizontal communication with the bump plate for more efficient quenching.
Hybrid
bump plate 400 may be formed out of a variety of materials, including metal or
any
other material having properties suitable for cracking coke. Hybrid bump plate
400
includes a base 405 that may contain one or more mounting holes 410 extending
therethrough for mounting the base to a surface 430 via one or more
conventional
mounting screws (not shown). Attached to base 405 is a bump 415 that extends
from the base and has an elevation that is uneven with respect to the base.
Bump
415 comprises an end cap 325 at one end. At the other end, bump 415 contains
an
opening 220.
[0046] A person of ordinary skill will appreciate that open bump plate
200,
closed bump plate 300, or hybrid bump plate 400 may be fastened to surface
230,
surface 330, or surface 430 in a variety of ways that may or may not require
the use
of mounting holes 210, 310, or 410, including welded or chemically bonded
connections.
[0047] Figures 5A-5D are views of an angle ramp plate 500 configured in
accordance with embodiments of the technology. Referring to Figures 5A-5D
together, angle ramp plate 500 is configured to partially crack coke that
comes into
vertical or horizontal communication with the angle ramp. Angle ramp plate 500
may
be formed out of a variety of materials, including metal or any other material
having
properties suitable for cracking coke. Angle ramp plate 500 includes a base
505 that
may contain one or more mounting holes 510 extending therethrough for mounting
the base to a surface 530 via one or more conventional mounting screws (not
shown). Angle ramp 515 is attached to base 505 at an angle that is between 90
and
180 degrees with respect to a front portion 545 and a side portion 550 of the
base. A
person of ordinary skill will appreciate that front portion 545 or side
portion 550 may
be formed in a variety of shapes, including a linear, curved, or jagged shape.
[0048] Angle ramp 515 may rest on one or more support structures situated
between angle ramp 515 and base 505. For example, in one embodiment, angle
ramp 515 may rest on wedge support 535, which is situated between the angle
ramp
and the base. Additionally or alternatively, angle ramp 515 may rest on stud
support
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540, which is situated between the angle ramp and the base. By including wedge
support 535 and/or stud support 540, angle ramp plate 500 thereby becomes
capable
of cracking a larger and heavier amount of coke. A person of ordinary skill
will
appreciate that angle ramp plate 500 may be fastened to surface 530 in a
variety of
ways that may or may not require the use of mounting holes 510, including
welded or
chemically bonded connections. A person of ordinary skill will further
appreciate that
wedge support 535, stud support 540, or additional structures (not shown) may
be
used either alone or in various combinations to enclose the area underneath
angle
ramp 515 to prevent coke, water, steam or other undesirable materials from
becoming trapped underneath the angle ramp. A person of ordinary skill will
further
appreciate that angle ramp 515, wedge support 535, stud support 540, or
additional
structures (not shown) used to enclose the area underneath the angle ramp may
contain one or more breather holes (not shown) to allow coke, water, steam, or
other
undesirable materials to exit the area underneath the angle ramp.
[0049] Figures 6A-6D are views of an inclined ramp plate 600 configured
in
accordance with embodiments of the technology. Referring to Figures 6A-6D
together, inclined ramp plate 600 is configured to partially crack coke that
comes into
vertical or horizontal communication with the inclined ramp for more efficient
quenching. Inclined ramp plate 600 may be formed out of a variety of
materials,
including metal or any other material having properties suitable for cracking
coke.
Inclined ramp plate 600 includes a base 605 that may contain one or more
mounting
holes 610 extending therethrough for mounting the base to a surface 630 via
one or
more conventional mounting screws (not shown). Inclined ramp 615 is attached
to
base 605 at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to the
front
portion 650 of the base. Inclined ramp 615 may rest on one or more support
structures connected between inclined ramp 615 and base 605. For example, in
one
embodiment, inclined ramp 615 may rest on wedge support 635, which is situated
between inclined ramp 615 (on either or both sides of the inclined ramp) and
base
605. In another embodiment, inclined ramp 615 may rest on stud support 640,
which
is situated between the inclined ramp and the base. By including wedge support
635
and/or stud support 640, inclined ramp plate 600 thereby becomes capable of
cracking a larger and heavier amount of coke. A person of ordinary skill will
appreciate that inclined ramp plate 600 may be fastened to surface 630 in a
variety of
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ways that may or may not require the use of mounting holes 610, including
welded or
chemically bonded connections.
[0050] A person of ordinary skill will appreciate that a variety of plate
designs
may be used in accordance with embodiments of the invention, including designs
that
differ in shape and construction from the plates described herein, designs
that
incorporate and/or omit specific aspects of various designs described herein,
and
designs that combine various aspects from different designs described herein
to form
alternative or hybrid designs. For example, Figures 7A and 7B are side views
of
hybrid inclined ramp/open bump plates 700 and 750 . In the embodiment of
Figure
7A, base 705 and inclined ramp 615 of inclined ramp plate 600 may be combined
with bump 215 from open bump plate 200 to form a hybrid plate design. In the
embodiment of Figure 7A, coke travels up inclined ramp 615, falls from the top
edge
of the inclined ramp onto the top of bump 215, travels down the bump, and then
falls
from the bump onto base 705. In the embodiment of Figure 7B, base 705 may be
combined with bump 215 from open bump plate 200 to form a hybrid plate design.
A
modified inclined ramp 755 is combined with bump 215 and base 705 to form a
hybrid plate design that provides a smoother transition from the top of the
inclined
ramp to the top of bump 215. Accordingly, in the embodiment of Figure 7B, coke
travels up modified inclined ramp 755, transitions from the top edge of the
modified
inclined ramp onto the top of bump 215 (without a significant drop or fall
from the
modified inclined ramp onto the top of the bump), travels down the bump, and
then
falls from the bump onto base 705.
[0051] Figure 8 is a side view of a hybrid angle ramp/closed bump plate
800.
Base 505 and angle ramp 515 of angle ramp plate 500 may be placed in series
with
bump 315 from closed bump plate 300 to form a hybrid angle ramp/closed bump
plate design. A person of ordinary skill will appreciate that the shapes and
dimensions of the various components comprising the hybrid designs may be
altered
(e.g., lengthened, shortened, made taller, joined at different angles, etc.)
so that the
various components fit together such that the designs are effective at
cracking coke
that is placed in communication therewith.
[0052] One or more plates may be coupled together to form a plate array
that
covers a larger area than an individual plate and is effective at cracking
coke that is
placed in vertical or horizontal communication therewith. For example, Figure
9A is a
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top view of an arrangement of closed bump plates 300 coupled together to form
a
plate array 900. As a further example, Figure 9B is a top view of an
arrangement of
various different plates coupled together to form plate array 950. In
particular, plate
array 950 comprises two angle ramp plates 500, three closed bump plates 300,
one
open bump plate 200, and one inclined ramp plate 600 that are coupled together
to
form the plate array. Referring to Figure 9B, angle ramp plate 500 is coupled
to
closed bump plate 300 in the same or similar fashion as the hybrid angle
ramp/closed
bump plate 800 of Figure 8.
[0053] Figures 10A-10C are views of a train car 125 adapted to partially
crack a
coke loaf in accordance with embodiments of the technology. Referring to
Figures
10A-10C together, train car 125 includes closed plate array 900 mounted to the
bottom of the train car. A person of ordinary skill will recognize that train
car 125 may
be a train car, hot car, quench car, or a combined hot car/quench car.
Returning to
Figures 10A-10C together, the front portion of coke 105 has been placed in
horizontal communication with the plate array 900 (as indicated by cracks 1075
in the
front portion of the coke), while the rear portion of the coke has not been
placed in
communication with the plate array and therefore remains intact (as indicated
by the
absence of cracks in the rear portion of the coke). Such a situation may occur
when
the coke is pushed from a coke oven (or from another train car) into train car
125, for
example by a pusher machine (not shown) that does not push the coke completely
across the plate array.
[0054] To place the remaining coke in communication with the plate array,
the
tailgate 1050 of the train car may be equipped with a kick plate mounted
thereto. In
one embodiment, depicted in Figure 10A, the tailgate includes an angle kick
plate
1055. The tailgate may use a pivot and slide mechanism to maneuver the angle
kick
plate to place the remaining coke in communication with the plate array. As
the
tailgate is closed, the angle kick plate is placed in communication with coke
105 and
further pushes the coke over the plate array, thereby cracking the remaining
rear
portion of the coke. In another embodiment, depicted in Figure 10B, tailgate
1050
(which also may use a pivot and slide mechanism to maneuver the forked kick
plate)
includes a forked kick plate 1060 comprising one or more parallel tines that
are
situated perpendicular to the tailgate. As the tailgate is closed, the
tailgate fork is
placed in communication with coke 105 and further pushes the coke over the
plate
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array, thereby cracking the remaining rear portion of the coke. Additionally
or
alternatively, the forked kick plate may pierce the coke to further crack the
rear
portion of the coke when the tailgate is closed.
[0055] In some embodiments, train car 125 may also include one or more
stoppers 1065 or 1070 that prevent the coke from blocking one or more drain
gates
(not shown) on the train car as the coke is pushed farther inside of the train
car. The
stoppers may be placed on all sides of the train car, no sides of the train
car, or one
or more particular sides of the train car. For example, Figure 10C illustrates
an
embodiment having stoppers on three sides of the train car while omitting the
stopper
on the fourth side of the train car. By not allowing the coke to block the
drain gates,
liquid used during quenching drains from the train car more rapidly, thereby
improving
the efficiency of the quenching process. A person of ordinary skill will
appreciate that
the stopper may take a variety of different shapes, such as a trapezoid (e.g.,
stopper
1065) or a square (e.g., stopper 1070).
[0056] In addition to cracking coke by placing the coke in horizontal or
vertical
communication with an uneven surface, other embodiments crack coke prior to
quenching by dropping the coke loaf over a distance that is less than the
height of the
coke loaf. For example, Figure 11A is a side cutaway view of an embodiment of
the
technology that cracks coke by dropping coke loaf 105 from coke oven 110 to
train
car, hot car, quench car, or combined hot car/quench car 125. Similarly,
Figure 11B
is a side cutaway view of an embodiment of the technology that cracks coke by
dropping coke loaf 105 from a first train car, hot car, quench car, or
combined hot
car/quench car 125 to a second train car, hot car, quench car, or combined hot
car/quench car 125. In both the embodiment of Figure 11A and the embodiment of
Figure 11B, the coke loaf is dropped a distance hdrop that is less than the
height hoof
of the coke loaf.
Examples
1. A method of producing quenched coke, comprising:
disposing an amount of coal into a coke oven located at a first location;
heating the amount of coal to produce coke;
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cracking the coke at a second location, wherein the cracking comprises
placing the coke in communication with an uneven surface having a
base and one or more raised portions extending from the base; and
quenching the coke to form quenched coke.
2. The method of example 1, wherein the one or more raised portions
comprises one or more bumps attached to the base, each bump having a rounded
portion.
3. The method of example 1, wherein the one or more raised portions
comprises one or more angle ramps attached to the base, each angle ramp being
attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with
respect to
a front portion and a side portion of the base.
4. The method of example 1, wherein the one or more raised portions
comprises one or more inclined ramps attached to a base, each inclined ramp
being
attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with
respect to
a front portion of the base.
5. The method of example 1, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a
coke oven.
6. The method of example 1, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a
train car.
7. The method of example 1, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a
hot car.
8. The method of example 1, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a
quench car.
9. The method of example 1, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a
combined hot car/quench car.
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10. The method of example 1, wherein the amount of coal is stamp
charged.
11. The method of example 1, wherein the amount of coal is not stamped
charged.
12. The method of example 1, wherein the first location and the second
location are substantially parallel.
13. The method of any of example 6, 7, 8, or 9, further comprising cracking
the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to the car,
wherein the
tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick plate
comprises an
angle wedge, and wherein the partially or fully closing the tailgate places
the kick
plate in communication with the coke to further crack the coke.
14. The method of any of example 6, 7, 8, or 9, further comprising cracking
the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to the car,
wherein the
tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick plate
comprises one
or more tines that are substantially perpendicular to the tailgate, and
wherein the
partially or fully closing the tailgate places the kick plate in communication
with the
coke to further crack the coke.
15. A system for producing quenched coke, comprising:
a coke oven for receiving an amount of coal and heating the amount of coal to
produce coke;
one or more uneven surfaces for cracking the coke when the coke is put into
communication with the one or more uneven surfaces, the one or more
uneven surfaces having a base and one or more raised portions
extending from the base;
a quenching tower for receiving the coke and quenching the coke; and
one or more train cars for transporting the coke from the coke oven to the
quenching tower.
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16. The system of example 15, wherein the one or more raised portions
comprises one or more bumps attached to a base, each bump having a rounded
portion.
17. The system of example 15, wherein the one or more raised portions
comprises one or more angle ramps attached to a base, each angle ramp being
attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with
respect to
a front portion and a side portion of the base.
18. The system of example 15, wherein the one or more raised portions
comprises one or more inclined ramps attached to a base, each inclined ramp
being
attached to the base at an angle that is between 90 and 180 degrees with
respect to
a front portion of the base.
19. The system of example 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a
coke oven.
20. The system of example 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a
hot car.
21. The system of examples 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to
a train car.
22 The system of example 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted
to a
quench car.
23. The system of example 15, wherein the uneven surface is mounted to a
combined hot car/quench car.
24. The system of example 15, wherein the amount of coal is stamp
charged.
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25. The system of example 15, wherein the amount of coal is not stamped
charged.
26. The system of example 15, wherein the coke oven and the uneven
surfaces are substantially parallel.
27. The system of any of examples 20, 21, 22, or 23, further comprising
cracking the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to
the car,
wherein the tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick
plate
comprises an angle wedge, and wherein the partially or fully closing the
tailgate
places the kick plate in communication with the coke to further crack the
coke.
28. The system of any of examples 20, 21, 22, or 23, further comprising
cracking the coke by partially or fully closing a tailgate that is attached to
the car,
wherein the tailgate includes a kick plate mounted thereto, wherein the kick
plate
comprises one or more tines that are substantially perpendicular to the
tailgate, and
wherein the partially or fully closing the tailgate places the kick plate in
communication with the coke to further crack the coke.
29. A method of producing quenched coke, comprising:
disposing an amount of coal onto a coke oven;
heating the amount of coal to produce a coke loaf having a height;
transferring the coke loaf from a first location having a first elevation to a
second location having a second elevation, wherein the difference in
height between the first elevation and the second elevation is less than
the height of the coke cake, and further wherein the transferring
includes cracking the coke loaf by placing the coke loaf in vertical
communication with the second location; and
quenching the coke to form quenched coke.
30. The method of example 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven
and the second location is a train car.
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31. The method of example 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven
and the second location is a hot car.
32. The method of example 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven
and the second location is a quench car.
33. The method of example 29, wherein the first location is a coke oven
and the second location is a combined hot car/quench car.
34. The method of example 29, wherein the first location is a first train
car
and the second location is a second train car.
35. The method of example 29, wherein the first location is a hot car and
the second location is a quench car.
36. The method of example 29, wherein the amount of coal is stamp
charged.
37. The method of example 29, wherein the amount of coal is not stamped
charged.
38. A method of producing quenched coke, comprising:
disposing an amount of coal into a coke oven;
heating the amount of coal to produce coke;
transporting the coke from the coke oven to a train car, wherein the
transporting includes cracking the coke by placing the coke in
communication with an uneven surface mounted in the train car as the
coke travels from the coke oven to the train car, wherein the uneven
surface has a base and one or more raised portions extending from the
base;
transporting the cracked coke to a quench tower; and
quenching the coke to form quenched coke.
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[0057] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific
embodiments of the technology have been described herein for purposes of
illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the
spirit and
scope of the technology. Further, certain aspects of the new technology
described in
the context of particular embodiments may be combined or eliminated in other
embodiments. Moreover, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of
the technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other
embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need
necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the
technology.
Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other
embodiments not expressly shown or described herein. Thus, the disclosure is
not
limited except as by the appended claims.
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