GB1007937A - Process and apparatus for the production of coke or ore coke on a coking grate and for the recovery of gas of high calorific value - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of producing coke and gas from bituminous carbonaceous material, particularly fine grained coking coal, on a stationary or moving grate, comprises spreading the coal 3 in a horizontal layer on the grate, igniting the <PICT:1007937/C4-C5/1> coal, periodically passing oxygen-containing gas, e.g. air, vertically through the coal via vertically-extending passages formed in the coal, and with drawing gas produced during the intervals between the supply of air. The passages may be formed by dies, e.g. hollow tubes, and may be circular or rectangular in cross-section, or continuous passages may be formed e.g. in two directions at right angles. The passages are preferably made by rollers 5, 7 placed at the leading end of a moving grate, one or both rollers having ribs 6 which co-operate to form passages 2. The coal may be compressed before penetration by vibration. Alternatively, the coal may be led on to the moving grate as spaced, parallel strands. Swelling of the coal during coking may be diminished by putting iron ore in the passages and on the layer 3. The air supply to the charge may be throttled to e.g. 10% its normal quantity during a degassing period of e.g. 5 minutes, during which time rich gas is removed from the space above the grate. The air blast is restored, e.g. for 5 minutes, for reheating the charge, the exhaust gases being removed by a different outlet, controlled by a change-over device, to the rich gas outlet. Alternatively, rich gas may be sucked out via the air box below the grate. Steam may be used briefly to purge the space above the grate before degassing. Various methods of igniting all the charge are described. In one, an igniting gas is blown or sucked downwardly through the charge to ignite all the charge, air being passed upwardly. Where spaced strands form the charge, the igniting gas may be introduced through pipes depending into the passages. In this case, the air for combustion may be supplied above the grate. Alternatively, hot oxygen-containing gas, e.g. air for combustion preheated to above 500 DEG C., may be blown upwardly through the grate to intensified by acoustic vibrations. Four specific examples are described.