Optimization of Thermal Parameters of the Coke Oven Battery by Modified Methodology of Temperature Measurement in Heating Flues as the Management Tool in the Cokemaking Industry

Abstract

Coke production is still of great economic importance due to its crucial role in the steel production process. The reliability of the operation of coke oven batteries depends on the maintenance of good technical condition of their ceramic massif, which in turn requires ensuring proper operation of the heating system and maintaining temperature stability in the heating flues. Regularly performed temperature measurements in heating flues due to the size of the battery and the dynamics of accompanying processes do not reflect the actual thermal state of the object at a given time. Corrections commonly introduced to the results of temperature measurements in heating flues, taking into account so-called reversion, significantly improve the accuracy of the obtained measurement results. However, still the interpretation of the results of temperature measurements in the coke oven battery heating flues does not take into account its changes during the coking cycle, even though they reach up to 60 K. The article discusses the usability of the introduction of a new, additional correction to the temperature measured in the heating flues enabling a more precise assessment of the current thermal state of the coke oven battery. The use of the method will allow for reduction of the fuel gas consumption and limitation of emissions resulting from its combustion and can be used as an effective tool for decision making.