Patent Application
20250163328
The present disclosure is generally directed to emissions recovery assemblies, systems, and methods for industrial facilities. In some embodiments, the present disclosure is generally directed to emissions recovery systems having multiple vents configured to collect emission particles.
Coke is a solid carbon fuel source used to melt and reduce iron ore in the production of steel. In one process—the “Thompson Coking Process”—coke is produced by batch-feeding pulverized coal into to an oven (e.g., a coking oven) by a coking oven charging system. The oven is then sealed and heated to high temperatures for twenty-four to forty-eight hours, under closely-controlled atmospheric conditions. During this process, the finely crushed coal is devolatilized and forms a fused mass of coke having a predetermined porosity and strength. Once coke is formed, it must be evacuated (e.g., unloaded) from the oven, and the oven prepared for a subsequent batch. During the preparation process: (i) a coal charging door of the oven can be opened by a door extractor, (ii) the oven can be charged by a pusher charger machine (“PCM”; e.g., pulverized coal can be packed into the oven), and (iii) the charging door can be closed.
Like other industrial processes, emissions particles can be released by some coking oven charging systems. For example, particulate matter entrained in hot gas emissions can escape from the oven when the charging door is opened. Further, particulate matter from the pulverized coal on the PCM can similarly enter the air when handled by the PCM. These particulate matters can include lost coal and/or coke material, as well as potentially hazardous pollutants. Further, over the course of a year, traditional coking oven charging operations can lose up to, or more than, 4,000 lbs (e.g., 1815 kg) of coal and/or coke particulate matters. Current emissions recovery systems are unable to adequately collect emissions from industrial processes, like those generated by the coking process, as these traditional systems lack, for example, properly distributed vacuum pressure; effective positioning of system collection vents; and/or proper system safety, among other shortcomings. It is therefore advantageous to improve these systems for better particulate matter capture.
Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technology may be better understood with regard to the following drawings.
A person skilled in the relevant art will understand that the features shown in the drawings are for purposes of illustrations, and variations, including different and/or additional features and arrangements thereof, are possible.
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to emissions recovery systems for industrial applications. For example, such emissions recovery systems can be implemented as standalone systems within manufacturing facilities, adjacent to outdoor processing equipment, or with other industrial applications for collecting emissions generally present in the surrounding environment. Additionally or alternatively, such emissions recovery systems can be implemented as purpose-built systems, incorporated with and/or over industrial equipment performing a specific industrial operation. Purpose-built systems can be equipped to collect emissions from specific or targeted portions of the industrial operation likely to produce emissions. For example, some emissions recovery systems can be incorporated with a coking oven charging system, targeted to collect coal dust and other emissions released from a coking oven and/or by coal on a charging ram.
Embodiments of the present disclosure address at least some of the above-described issues regarding emissions collection inadequacies. For example, embodiments of the present technology include an emissions recovery system for use in an industrial facility comprising ducting, a first vent, and a second vent at an opening of a coking oven. The ducting can have a first end region fluidically coupled to a baghouse, and a second end region, opposite the first end region. The ducting can further be configured to operate under a vacuum. The first vent can be fluidically coupled to the second end region of the ducting and positionable at a first distance from the opening. The second vent can also be fluidically coupled to the second end region of the ducting and positionable at a second distance from the opening. Each of the first and the second vents can further be configured to collect emissions particles released from at least the opening, improving emissions collected over traditional systems at least with more effectively positioned vents.
In some embodiments, the present technology includes an emissions recovery system for use in an industrial facility comprising a base ducting portion and a vent at an opening of a coking oven, with a first and a second ducting branch extending from the base ducting portion to the vent. More specifically, the base ducting portion can include a first end region coupled to a baghouse, and a second end region, opposite the first. The base ducting portion can further be configured to operate under a vacuum. The vent can include a first end region and a second end region, opposite the first. The vent can be positionable at the opening and configured to collect emissions particles released therefrom. The first ducting branch can extend from the second end region of the base ducting portion to the first end region of the vent, and the second ducting branch can extend from the second end region of the base ducting portion to the second end region of the vent, improving emissions collected over traditional systems at least with more balanced vacuum pressure.
In some embodiments, the present technology includes an emissions recovery system incorporated into a coking system. For example, the coking system can include a coking oven with a charging door at a charging side thereof, and the emissions recovery system. The emissions recovery system can include ducting, a first vent, and a second vent at the charging door. The ducting can be fluidically coupled to a baghouse and a vacuum pump, and can include a first ducting branch and a second ducting branch. The first vent can be a first distance from the charging door, and the second vent can be a second distance from the charging door. Further, a first end of the first and the second vents can each be fluidically coupled to the first ducting branch, and a second end of the first and the second vents can each be fluidically coupled to the second ducting branch. The coking system can improve emission collection over traditional systems at least by at least providing balanced vacuum pressure and vent positioning.
In one or more embodiments of the present technology, an emissions recovery system can include, in addition to ducting, a first vent, and/or a second vent: (i) one or more additional vents positionable relative to an opening for collecting additional emissions particles; (ii) one or more hood assemblies at one or more vents, each configured to direct emissions toward the respective vent(s); (iii) openings in each vent with a controllable size to increase or decrease vent suction; (iv) one or more non-return valves in the ducting to prevent positive pressures from a baghouse from passing to the ducting; (v) one or more spark arresters in the ducting to extinguish or prevent ignition of particles within the ducting; (vi) one or more temperature control valves for maintaining a certain temperature and/or pressure within the ducting; (vii) one or more flow restriction valves in the ducting to balance pressure within and/or across one or more vents; (viii) a variable-pressure vacuum pump to maintain a certain pressure within the ducting; and/or (ix) a controller or controls system to manage and/or monitor the emissions recovery system, among other features.
The emissions recovery systems of the above identified embodiments, and further embodiments still, can follow one or more methods for collecting emissions particles. For example, one method for collecting emission particles while charging a coking oven comprises providing the coking oven with a charging opening and a charging door at the charging opening. The method can further comprise providing an emissions recovery system at the coking oven with a first and a second vent, the first vent a first distance from the charging door, and the second vent a second distance from the charging door. A vacuum can be drawn within ducting of the emissions recovery system, and the charging door opening. Coal can be charged into the coking oven via a coal charging system, and emission particles can be collected the charging opening via the first and the second vents.
Embodiments of the present disclosure enable significant improvements over traditional industrial emissions recovery systems. For example, some embodiments can collect up to 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% of emissions particles released by a coking oven and/or by pulverized coal on a coking oven charging ram. Such proportion of emissions particles can be collected at least by having emissions recovery systems with vents (i) that are positionable (e.g., vertically, laterally, and/or rotationally) relative to the emitting elements, and/or (ii) that include openings with variable sizes. Further, these emissions particles can be collected by having ducting with a temperature control valve and decreasing cross-sectional area along a length thereof at least to maintain consistent vacuum pressure within the ducting, both along the length thereof and in response to temperature variations. Similarly, these emissions particles can be collected by having a vacuum pump with configured to provide variable pressure within the ducting, also to maintain consistent vacuum pressure within the ducting.
In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify generally similar, and/or identical, elements. Many of the details, dimensions, and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the disclosed technology. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, and/or features without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that further embodiments of the various disclosed technologies can be practiced without several of the details described below.
As one example, the emissions recovery system 100 can be implemented in a coking system used for performing a coal coking process. As implemented, during a charging operation, the emissions recovery system 100 can collect some or all particles generated by a charging system and a coking oven 102, in addition to hot gases released from the coking oven 102. For example, the emissions recovery system 100 can operate to collect emissions and hot gases during the charging operation at least when a charging door of the coking oven 102 is open. By implementing the emissions recovery system 100 with the coking system, at least particulate matter (i) entrained in hot gases escaping the coking oven 102 and/or (ii) expelled by the pulverized coal on the charging system during the charging operation can be captured, prevented from entering the environment surrounding the coking system, and available for later processing.
As illustrated in
The venting assembly 110 can include (i) a first vent 112 laterally and, in some embodiments, vertically spaced a first distance from an opening of the coking oven 102; (ii) a second vent 114 laterally and, in some embodiments, vertically (e.g., diagonally) spaced a second distance from the opening; and (iii) a third vent 116 vertically and, in some embodiments, laterally spaced from the opening 106 (collectively, “the vents 112, 114, 116”). Each of the vents 112, 114, 116 can be configured (e.g., shaped and sized) to facilitate between 5,000 and 50,000 ACFM, inclusive, (e.g., 140 and 1400 CMM) airflow therethrough, or any specific value outside or therebetween. The differing positions and airflow capacities of the vents 112, 114, 116 can allow the venting assembly 110—and the emissions recovery system 100, generally—to best suit different charging systems and/or coking ovens to maximize emission collections. In some embodiments, the venting assembly 110 can further include a hood assembly 118 at the third vent 116 at least partially encasing the third vent 116 and configured to direct hot gases escaping the coking oven 102 toward, and into, the third vent 116 (e.g., away from the surrounding environment). In some embodiments, the venting assembly 110 can include one or more additional vents (e.g., a fourth, a fifth, a sixth vent, etc.).
The vacuum assembly 120 can include a baghouse 122 and an induced draft (ID) fan 124 (e.g., a vacuum pump). The ID fan 124 can generate a variable-pressure vacuum within the emissions recovery system 100. For example, the ID fan 124 can generate a vacuum pressure within the emissions recovery system 100 by drawing between 15,000 and 150,000 ACFM (e.g., 420 and 4200 CMM) into the vacuum assembly 120. This variable pressure can draw emissions, as well as the gases and other gaseous matter, from the charging system and/or the coking oven 102 into the venting assembly 110. From the venting assembly 110, the variable pressure can draw the emissions through the ducting assembly 130 and into one or more emissions collection assemblies within, or coupled to, the vacuum assembly 120. By providing variable pressure within the emissions recovery system 100, a constant airflow therethrough can be maintained as temperatures can fluctuate therein.
The ducting assembly 130 can include a branched ducting portion 140. The base ducting portion 132 can have a first ducting region 132a (e.g., a first end region) at, and fluidically coupled to, the vacuum assembly 120; and a second ducting region 132b (e.g., a second end region) at, and fluidically coupled to, the branched ducting portion 140. The venting assembly 110 can be fluidically coupled to the branched ducting portion 140, and in fluid communication with the vacuum assembly 120 via the base ducting portion 132 and the branched ducting portion 140. In some embodiments, the ducting assembly 130 can further include extensions, additions, and/or duplications of the base ducting portion 132, the branched ducting portion 140, and/or another portion of the ducting assembly 130. By including the base ducting portion 132 and the branched ducting portion 140, emissions collected by the venting assembly 110 can be consolidated by the branched ducting portion 140 into a single ducting section before passing to the base ducting portion 132, thereby reducing the number of ducting sections required to connect with the vacuum assembly 120.
Between the first ducting region 132a and the second ducting region 132b (e.g., along the base ducting portion 132), and in no particular order, the ducting assembly 130 can include one or more non-return valves 134 (e.g., a one-way valve), one or more directional valves or dampers 135, one or more spark arresters 136, and one or more temperature control valves 138. The non-return valve 134 can be located at a fitting between the first ducting region 132a and the baghouse 122 (or elsewhere along the base ducting portion 132), and can be configured to restrict the direction of airflow as from the ducting assembly 130 and into the vacuum assembly 120. This restricted airflow can prevent collected emissions from returning from the vacuum assembly 120 to the ducting assembly 130 and/or the venting assembly 110, can limit or prevent positive pressures generated within the vacuum assembly 120 from passing to the ducting assembly 130 and/or the venting assembly 110.
The directional valve or damper 135 can be located on a charging side and/or a pusher side of the venting assembly 110. The directional valve or damper 135 can be configured to control the airflow between the charging side and the pusher side. The two sides can be balanced according to a desired ratio by controlling the directional valves or dampers 135 on either one or both of the sides.
The spark arrester 136 can be located along the base ducting portion 132, or at the first ducting region 132a or the second ducting region 132b. The spark arrester 136 can be configured to extinguish embers, sparks, and/or ignited particles collected by the venting assembly 110, as well as reduce the likelihood for ignition of particles or other matter collected by the venting assembly 110. Extinguishing, or preventing or reducing ignition of, particles within the ducting assembly 130 can at least reduce the likelihood for fire-related incidents at the vacuum assembly 120 and/or the ducting assembly 130, can and increase the lifespan of the emissions collection assemblies (e.g., by reducing burn-associated/ember wear and tear).
The temperature control valve 138 can be located within the second ducting region 132b (or elsewhere along the base ducting portion 132), and can be configured to introduce ambient air into the ducting assembly 130—or the emissions recovery system 100, generally—to mix with and lower the temperature of the particles, gases, and other gaseous matter collected by the venting assembly 110. Reducing the temperature within the ducting assembly 130 can at least increase the effectiveness of the spark arrester 136 (improving the benefits thereof) and can help improve the consistency of the vacuum pressure within the ducting assembly 130. That is, the vacuum pressure can be more consistent along the length of the ducting assembly 130 at least because temperature fluctuations due to temperature increases from collected hot gases can be reduced or eliminated.
The branched ducting portion 140 can include a plurality of ducting branches extending and/or splitting from the second ducting region 132b, or from sub-branches thereof. For example, as illustrated in
Similarly, the second primary branch 144 can include a first sub-branch 144a (e.g., a second terminal branch) and a second sub-branch 144b, each extending or splitting from the second primary branch 144. The second sub-branch 144b can include a first terminal sub-branch 144c and a second terminal sub-branch 144d, each extending or splitting from the second sub-branch 144b. In some embodiments, one or more of the primary, sub, and/or terminal branches of the branched ducting portion 140 can extend or split from any alternative primary, sub, and/or terminal branch than as disclosed above. Further, the branched ducting portion 140 can include one or more additional primary, sub, and/or terminal branches (e.g., duplicate branches and/or branches for additional vents 112, 114, 116) extending or splitting from one of the listed primary, sub, or terminal branch.
Each of the primary, sub, and/or terminal branches can include a flow-limiting valve (e.g., a butterfly valve, blade damper, guillotine damper, louver damper, inlet vane damper, etc.) configured to limit flow through the respective branch, and any branch downstream therefrom. For example, as illustrated in
Each of the vents 112, 114, 116 can be fluidically couple to the first and/or the second primary branch 142, 144, or a sub or terminal branch thereof. For example, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, one or more of the first and/or the second end regions of the vents 112, 114, 116 can couple with any alternative primary, sub, and/or terminal branch than as disclosed above. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, either only the first end region or the second end region of the vents 112, 114, 116 can couple with the branched ducting portion 140. Further, in some embodiments, one or more of the vents 112, 114, 116 can include additional connections (e.g., a third, a fourth, a fifth connection) with an addition branch of the branched ducting portion 140. Further still, when the venting assembly 110 includes additional vents, the first end region and/or a second end region of each additional vent can couple with any of the primary, sub, and/or terminal branches of the first primary branch 142 and the second primary branch 144.
The controller 150 can be in communication with the venting assembly 110, the vacuum assembly 120, and/or the ducting assembly 130, and any one or more elements thereof, to control and/or monitor operations of the emissions recovery system 100. The controller 150 can further manage and/or monitor certain aspects of the emissions recovery system 100 at one or more locations throughout the system 100. For example, the controller 150 can monitor the vacuum pressure, airflow, and/or temperature, among other characteristics, of the emissions recovery system 100 within each of the venting assembly 110, the vacuum assembly 120, and the ducting assembly 130 using sensors at multiple locations within each of these assemblies. Further, the controller 150 can integrate with (or can be) a broader controls system of the coking system, allowing control of the emissions recovery system 100, or portions thereof, from a remote location.
In some embodiments, the controller 150 and/or technology described herein can be computer-executable instructions, including routines executed by a programmable computer. The controller 150 may, for example, also include a combination of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLC), control devices, and processors configured to process computer-executable instructions. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the technology can be practiced on computer systems other than those described herein. The technology can be embodied in a special-purpose computer or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured or constructed to perform one or more of the computer-executable instructions described below. Accordingly, the terms “control system,” “computer,” or “controller” as generally used herein refer to any data processor. Information handled by these computers can be presented at any suitable display medium, including a CRT display or LCD.
The technology can also be practiced in distributed environments, where tasks or modules are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules or subroutines may be located in local and remote memory storage devices. Aspects of the technology described below may be stored or distributed on computer-readable media, including magnetic or optically readable or removable computer disks, as well as distributed electronically over networks. Data structures and transmissions of data particular to aspects of the technology are also encompassed within the scope of particular embodiments of the disclosed technology.
Regarding the venting assembly 110, examples of the controller 150 functions include at least managing and/or monitoring (i) a size (e.g., a position of vent openings) and/or airflow through one or more openings of each of the vents 112, 114, 116 where particles, gases, and gaseous matter is drawn into the emissions recovery system 100; (ii) a position and/or orientation of each of the vents 112, 114, 116 relative to the coking oven opening 106; and/or (iii) a position and/or orientation of the hood assembly 118 relative to the coking oven 102 and the third vent 116, and any other functions of the venting assembly 110. Regarding the vacuum assembly 120, the controller 150 can at least manage and/or monitor (i) an operational setting (e.g., a power setting, a speed setting, etc.) of the ID fan 124 to establish the vacuum pressuring within the emissions recovery system 100, and/or (ii) a fill and/or quality of one or more of the emissions collection assemblies, and any other functions of the vacuum assembly 120. Regarding the ducting assembly 130, the controller 150 can at least manage and/or monitor (i) a position and/or orientation of the non-return valve 134, (ii) a position and/or orientation of the directional valve or damper 135, (iii) an operating setting and/or quality of the spark arrester 136, (iv) a position and/or operation of the temperature control valve 138, and/or (v) a position and/or orientation of each of the flow-limiting valves 146a-c, 148a-c (e.g., a level of flow-restriction), and any other functions of the vacuum assembly 120.
Referencing
As shown, the emissions recovery system 200 can be implemented with the charging system 260 to collect emissions produced thereby, as well as emissions expelled by the coking oven 302, thereby preventing these emissions from entering the surrounding environment and recapturing coal and/or coke for future processing and/or use. The emissions recovery system 200 can include a venting assembly 210 fluidically coupled to a vacuum assembly 220 by a ducting assembly 230. Operation of the venting assembly 210, the vacuum assembly 220, and/or the ducting assembly 230, and one or more elements thereof, can be manually or automatically managed by a controls system located in a control room or system 250 above the pusher ram 252 or between the charging ram 262 and the baghouse 222.
The venting assembly 210 can be positioned on the charging side of the charging system 260, with a first vent 212, a second vent 214, and/or a third vent 216 over the charging end of the charging ram 262 and/or the charging end of the pushing ram 252. For example, the first vent 212 and the second vent 214 can be positioned above the charging ram 262 on either side of the coal hopper 266, and distanced from the first door extractor 264. Further, the first vent 212 and the second vent 214 can face toward (or away from) the charging ram 262 and/or the opening of the coking oven 302 (e.g., the first door extractor 264). The third vent 216 can be positioned above the charging ram 262 and/or the pushing ram 252, the first door extractor 264, and/or the coking oven opening; and facing toward (or away from) the charging ram 262 and/or the coking oven opening. Each of the first vent 212, the second vent 214, and/or the third vent 216 can be manually or automatically rotated at least about a length thereof. A hood assembly 218 can at least partially encase (e.g., vertically and/or laterally surround) the third vent 216 and similarly extend over the charging ram 262, the first door extractor 264, and/or the coking oven opening. Under normal operations, the charging ram 262 is used for loading coal into the coke oven (e.g., the coke oven 102) due to at least the relative position of the hood assembly 218, and the pusher ram 252 is used for pushing coke out of the oven (e.g., the coke oven 102). Advantageously, embodiments of the present technology enable emissions to be collected during each of these operations, including simultaneously. For example, emissions can be collected while charging coal into the coke oven and/or pushing coke from the coke oven.
Regarding separation distances, the first vent 212 can be a first vertical distance from the charging ram 262, the second vent 214 can be a second vertical distance from the charging ram 262, and the third vent 216 can be a third vertical distance from the charging ram 262. The first vent 212 can be a first lateral distance from the first door extractor 264; the second vent 214 can be a second lateral distance, less than the first lateral distance, from the first door extractor 264; and the third vent can be a third lateral distance, less than the first and the second lateral distances, from the first door extractor 264.
For example, a center of the first vent 212 and/or of the second vent 214 (e.g., a centerline along a length of a housing of the first vent 212 and the second vent 214, respectively) can be separated (e.g., spaced, distanced, etc.) from a top surface of the charging ram 262 by between 1 in and 60 in (e.g., 2.5 cm and 152 cm). A center of the third vent 216 can be separated from the top surface of the charging ram 262 by between 24 in and 120 in (e.g., 61 cm and 305 cm). The center of the first vent 212 can be separated from the first door extractor 264 by between 36 in and 120 in (e.g., 91 cm and 305 cm). The center of the second vent 214 can be separated from the first door extractor 264 by between 0 in and 84 in (e.g., 0 cm and 213 cm). The center of the third vent 216 can be separated from the first door extractor 264 by between −36 in and 36 in (e.g., −91 cm and 91 cm).
A face of the first vent 212, the second vent 214, and/or the third vent 216 can be directed toward the charging ram 262 and/or the first door extractor 264. For example, the faces of the first vent 212, the second vent 214, and/or the third vent 216 can be parallel with a face of the first door extractor 264. In some embodiments, the face of the first vent 212, the second vent 214, and/or the third vent 216 can instead be rotated relative to the first door extractor 264 about the length of the charging system 260, and/or about an axis perpendicular thereto. For example, as shown, a length of the first vent 212, the second vent 214, and/or the third vent 216 can be perpendicular to the length of the charging system 260, and parallel with the top surface of the charging ram 262. Further, the face of the first vent 212 can face away from the first door extractor 264 and toward the charging ram 262 (e.g., rotated 90°-180° about a width of the charging system 260); the face of the second vent 214 can face toward the first door extractor 264 and the charging ram 262 (e.g., rotated 0°-90° about the width of the charging system 260); and the face of the third vent 216 can face the charging ram 262 (e.g., be parallel therewith).
Referencing
The front plate 270 and/or the side plates 272 can be mechanically and/or chemically coupled to the hood frame 274. In some embodiments, the front plate 270 and/or the side plates 272 can additionally be coupled to the third vent 216 and/or the branched ducting portion 240. Alternatively, the hood frame 274 can be excluded, with the front plate 270 and/or the side plates 272 directly coupled to the third vent 216 and/or the branched ducting portion 240. In some embodiments, the hood assembly 218 can include additional plates extending coplanar with, or at an angle from, the front plate 270 and/or the side plates 272 (or from the first and/or second vents 212, 214), and/or skirts (e.g., flexible metal and/or non-metal) to form a seal with, and/or to better direct emissions from, the coking oven 302. In some embodiments, the first vent 212, the second vent 214, and/or any additional vents can include a hood assembly with the same and/or similar as the hood assembly 218 at the third vent 216.
The vacuum assembly 220 can be positioned adjacent to, and offset from, the charging ram 262, and can include a baghouse 222 and a vacuum pump 224 or induced draft fan. The ducting assembly 230 can include a base ducting portion 232 with a first ducting region 232a and a second ducting region 232b (e.g., a first end region and a second end region), and a branched ducting portion 240. The first ducting region 232a can fluidically couple with a top of the baghouse 222. The base ducting portion 232 can extend from the baghouse 222, over portions of the charging system 260 and of the charging ram 262. The second ducting region 232b can fluidically couple with the branched ducting portion 240 of the ducting assembly 230. The branched ducting portion 240 can extend over portions of the charging system 260 and of the charging ram 262, and can fluidically couple the venting assembly 210 with the ducting assembly 230. Different sections of the base ducting portion 232 and/or of the branched ducting portion 240 can be vertically separated from the charging system 260 and/or the charging ram 262 thereunder by different distances (e.g., a height of the ducting assembly 230 can vary along the length thereof).
In some embodiments, the vacuum assembly 220 and the ducting assembly 230 can be aligned with the venting assembly 210 to improve vacuum pressure consistency and/or system energy efficiency. For example, the emissions recovery system 200 can be a linear system extending over and/or parallel with the charging ram 262 and/or the charging system 260, generally. In some embodiments, and as shown, the vacuum assembly 220 and/or the ducting assembly 230 can be misaligned with the venting assembly 210 to improve space efficiency of the emissions recovery system 200 and/or the charging system 260, generally. For example, as shown, the ducting assembly 230, and airflow therein, is perpendicular to the venting assembly 210; and the vacuum assembly 220 is parallel with, and the airflow therein is opposite to, the venting assembly 210. Overall, the emissions recovery system 200 implemented with the coking oven charging system 260 can adequately collect emissions from one or more coke ovens by providing properly distributed vacuum pressure and effective positioning of system collection vents.
The second vent 214 and the third vent 216 can each include a housing 304 and a faceplate 306 with a plurality of openings 600 (see
As shown in
Referencing
The ducting assembly 230 can decrease in cross-sectional area from the first ducting region 232a of the base ducting portion 232 to the venting assembly 210, at least for reducing vacuum pressure loss along the length of the ducting assembly 230. For example, from the first ducting region 232a to the second ducting region 232b, the base ducting portion 232 can decrease from a 46 in (e.g., 117 cm) square duct section to a 44 in (e.g., 112 cm) round duct section. Specifically, the base ducting portion 232 can include: (i) a 46 in square duct section with a non-return valve 234 coupled to the vacuum assembly 220, (ii) a 46 in square to 44 in round transition section, (iii) a 44 in round section, (iv) a 90°, 44 in round section, (v) a 44 in round section, (vi) a spark arrester 236, (vii) a 44 in round section with a temperature control valve 238 thereon, (viii) a 90°, 44 in round section, (ix) a 24°, 44 in round section, and (x) a 44 in round section. Section (x) of the base ducting portion 232 can be coupled to the branched ducting portion 240.
The branched ducting portion 240 can decrease from a 44 in round duct section to 20 in (e.g., 51 cm) by 4 in (e.g., 10 cm) rectangular duct section. Specifically, the branched ducting portion 240 can include a 45°, 44 in to 30 in (e.g., 76 cm) round transition, y-branch section coupled to section (x) of the base ducting portion 232, with a first primary branch 242 extending therefrom, and a second primary branch 244 splitting (e.g., branching) therefrom. The first primary branch 242 can include: (i) a first sub-branch or first terminal branch 242a extending from the first primary branch 242, (ii) a second sub-branch 242b splitting from the first primary branch 242, and (iii) a first and a second terminal sub-branch 242c, 242d, each extending from the second sub-branch 242b. The second primary branch 244 can include: (i) a first sub-branch or second terminal branch 244a extending from the second primary branch 244, (ii) a second sub-branch 244b splitting from the first primary branch 244, and (iii) a first and a second terminal sub-branch 244c, 244d, each extending from the second sub-branch 244b.
From the y-branch section of the branched ducting portion 240 coupled to section (x) of the base ducting portion 232, the first primary branch 242 can include: (i) a 45°, 30 in round section, (ii) a 30 in square to 25 in (e.g., 34 cm) round transition section, (iii) a 45°, 25 in round section, and (iv) a 30°, 25 in to 20 in round transition, y-branch section. The first terminal branch 242a extending from section (iv) can include a telescoping, 20 in round section terminating with an interconnection configured to couple with a first end region 216a of the third vent 216. The second sub-branch 242b can include: (i) a 30°, 20 in round section, (ii) a 20 in round section, (iii) a 90°, 20 in round section, (iv) a 20 in round section, (v) a 20 in round to rectangle transition section, and (vi) a telescoping, rectangular section. Each of the first and the second terminal sub-branches 242c, 242d can include a 90°, rectangular elbow extending from section (vi), and an interconnection configured to couple with a first end region 212a, 214a of the first and the second vents 212, 214, respectively.
The second primary branch 244 can include: (i) a 45°, 30 in round section, (ii) a 30 in round section, (iii) a 90°, 30 in round section, (iv) a 45°, 30 in round section, (v) a 30 in to 25 in round transition section, (vi) a 45°, 20 in round section, and (vii) a 25 in to 20 in round transition, y-branch section. The second terminal branch 244a extending from section (vii) can include a telescoping, 20 in round section terminating with an interconnection configured to couple with a second end region 216b of the third vent 216. The second sub-branch 244b can include: (i) a 30°, 20 in round section, (ii) a 20 in round section, (iii) a 90°, 20 in round section, (iv) a 20 in round section, (v) a 20 in round to rectangle transition section, and (vi) a telescoping, rectangular section. Each of the first and the second terminal sub-branches 244c, 244d can include a 90°, rectangular elbow extending from section (vi), and an interconnection configured to couple with a second end region 212b, 214b of the first and the second vents 212, 214, respectively.
The interconnections between ducting sections of the base ducting portion 232 and the branched ducting portion 240, and the interconnections between the branched ducting portion 240 and the vents of the venting assembly 210 can include any mechanical and/or chemical interconnection. For example, the interconnections can each include circumferential flanges (e.g., interface plates) formed and/or welded to each ducting section and coupled together using one or more (or both) of a mechanical coupling method, such as mechanical fasteners (e.g., nuts and bolts, rivets, etc.), welding, and/or a similar mechanical coupling method; and a chemical coupling method, such as an epoxy, liquid cement, industrial-grade adhesive, or similar chemical coupling method.
In some embodiments, the emissions recovery system 200 can include one or more gaskets between some or all ducting sections (e.g., at the interconnections therebetween), or between the ducting sections and the vents 212, 214, 216 and/or the vacuum assembly 220. Further, additionally or alternatively, the emissions recovery system 200 can include one or more vibration reduction elements (e.g., thick gaskets, rubber fittings, dampers, etc.) between some or all ducting sections (e.g., at the interconnections therebetween), or between the ducting sections and the vents 212, 214, 216 and/or the vacuum assembly 220.
The non-return valve 234 can be coupled to, or within, the first ducting region 232a of the base ducting portion 232, and can be configured to passively (e.g., controlled by airflow or a pressure) or actively (e.g., driven by an operating mechanism) restrict the direction of airflow from the ducting assembly 130 and into the vacuum assembly 120. For example, the non-return valve 234 can be a butterfly valve, blade damper, guillotine damper, louver damper, and/or inlet vane damper, or a similar valve assembly. In some embodiments, the ducting assembly 230 can include one or more additional non-return valves 234 at one or more locations within the base ducting portion 232 and/or the branched ducting portion 240.
The spark arrester 236 (e.g., quencher) can be an in-line assembly of the base ducting portion 232 configured to at least meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 69 explosion prevention standard. For example, the spark arrester 236 can be configured to extinguish embers, sparks, and/or ignited particles collected by the venting assembly 210, as well as reduce the likelihood for ignition of particles or other matter collected by the venting assembly 210. As shown, the spark arrester 236 can include an exterior casing (e.g., housing) sized to mate with a preceding and a following section of the air ducting. The spark arrester 236 can include a plurality of angled vanes and/or fins within the casing configured to disturb laminar low within the ducting assembly 230. By disturbing laminar flow, particles within the airflow can be accelerated and oxidant concentration can be reduced, thereby extinguishing, and/or reducing the ignition likelihood of, the particles.
Referencing
As shown in at least
As shown in at least
As shown, the second vent 214 includes the faceplate 306 mechanically coupled (e.g., via nuts and bolts) to a flange 602 (see
A size of one or more of the openings 600 can be manually (e.g., by an operator) and/or automatically (e.g., via the controls system 250) controlled via one or more mechanisms or assemblies configured to obstruct, close, or otherwise reduce the size of the openings 600. By controlling the size of one or more of the openings 600, (i) an airflow therethrough can be controlled to draw more or less air into the second vent 214, (ii) a suction strength can be increased or decreased to collect larger and/or smaller particles, when the openings 600 are small, (iii) particles and/or objects of a certain size can be restricted from entering the venting assembly 210, (iv) pressure balance can be maintained inside the housing 304, and/or (v) the flow rate differential between the suction flow near the exterior of the housing 304 and in the interior of the housing 304 can be increased or decreased. In some embodiments, each opening 600, or one or more sets of openings 600, can include a corresponding closure assembly configured to controllably obstruct the openings 600. Further, similar and/or the same closure assemblies can be implemented with the first vent 212 and/or the third vent 216 to obstruct the openings thereof.
For example, the second vent 214 can include an internal and/or external vane for each opening 600. The vane can, individually or in combination with one or more additional vanes, slide and/or rotate to partially, or fully, obstruct the corresponding opening 600. As a further example, the second vent 214 can include a corresponding internal and/or external plate (e.g., a metal plate) sized to cover one or more of the openings 600, or can include a plate with holes corresponding to one or more of the openings 600. The plate can slide on, or relative to, the faceplate 306 to partially, or fully, obstruct the openings 600. In further examples still, the second vent 214 can include any suitable assembly configured to obstruct, close, or otherwise modify the effective size of one or more of the openings 600 (e.g., for balancing the pressure inside the housing 304). Elements and/or structures supporting operation of the one or more closure assemblies, such as actuators (e.g., electric, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic, etc.); rails, tracks, and/or axes; wiring; and/or any similar elements, can be coupled to the interior and/or the exterior of the housing 304.
The temperature control valve 238 can include a housing 700 mechanically and/or chemically coupled to the ducting assembly 230. The housing 700 can carry at least a first blade 702a (e.g., a fin, a wing, a plate, etc.) rotatable about a first shaft 704a, and a second blade 702b (collectively, the “blades 702”) rotatable about a second shaft 704b (collectively, the “shafts 704”). A motor 706 can directly drive the first shaft 704a or the second shaft 704b, and can drive the corresponding shaft with a transmission assembly 708 (e.g., a chain and sprocket assembly, a rack and pinion, lever arms, and/or a gear box, etc.). By rotating the first and the second shafts 704, the blades 702 can be selectively rotated any specific rotational amount between a first position P1 (e.g., a closed position; as shown in
As shown, the vacuum pump 224 can be an industrial centrifugal blower with a shell-shaped housing 800 carried by a pump frame 802. A centrifugal blade 804 can be within the housing 800, and configured to draw air in through an inlet 806, and to expel air through an outlet 808. The inlet 806 can be configured to interface with a corresponding fitting of the baghouse 222 to draw air therefrom. The centrifugal blade 804 can be directly driven by an electric motor 810 via a drive shaft 812, or by the motor 810 via a transmission assembly 814 therebetween. The motor 810 can drive the centrifugal blade 804 to maintain a vacuum pressure within the emissions recovery system 200 by generating an airflow through the baghouse 222 of up to 150,000 ACFM (e.g., 4200 CMM). Further, the motor 810 can be dynamically controlled by the controls system 250 to increase or decrease the vacuum pressure to compensate for temperature fluctuations within the emissions recovery system 200 by increasing or decreasing a rotational speed of the motor 810.
Referencing
The housing 900 can include one or more internal chambers 906 (e.g., 16 as shown), each with one or more filters and/or filter media therein. The housing 900 can be configured to pass the received air through the chambers for the emissions therein to be caught and/or bond with the filters and/or filter media before passing to the vacuum pump 224. For example, the chambers 906 can include filter cartridges (e.g., bags, collection elements, etc.) to pass the air therethrough with a length between 40 in and 120 in (e.g., 102 cm and 305 cm) length, and with between 15 and 50 pleats, providing an air to cloth ratio of between 1.5 and 4. Further, the filter cartridges can include a PTFE membrane layer over a polyester spun-bond substrate filter media, and/or any similar, suitable filter media. The filter bags can be configured in a vertical or horizontal orientation. The housing 900 and/or the chambers 906 can be configured for an operator to open the chambers 906 and to remove and replace, or to remove, clean, and reinstall the filters and/or filter media therein. The interior walls of the housing 900 and/or the chambers 906 can be coated with corrosion-resistant coating (e.g., paint). The housing 900 can further include fire- and explosion-relief vents or windows configured to break when the internal pressure reaches a predetermined threshold.
More specifically, the emissions recovery system 1000 of
Regarding the additional vents 1017, the emissions recovery system 1000 can include the additional vents 1017 to collect stray emissions from a coking oven aligned with the pusher ram 252 and to operate the second door extractor 254. The branched ducting portion 1040 can include a first primary branch 1042, a second primary branch 1044, and a third primary branch 1045, each with one or more primary, sub, or terminal branches extending or splitting therefrom. Further, each primary, sub, and/or terminal branch of the third primary branch 1045 can be in fluid communication with one or more of the additional vents 1017. For example, one or more of the additional vents 1017 can be directed toward (or away from) the coking oven 1002, and vertically and/or laterally aligned with one or more of the vents 1012, 1014, 1016. Further, the emissions recovery system 1000 can include the additional vents 1017 to function as the vents 1012, 1014, 1016 at one or more additional coking ovens for collecting emissions from a different operation and/or process of a coking oven charging system, and/or for collecting emissions from a different industrial process entirely. In any of these applications, one or more of the additional vents 1017 can include, or explicitly exclude, one or more features of the vents 1012, 1014, 1016. Further, one or more of the additional vents 1017 can include a corresponding hood assembly, like the hood assembly 118 of
Regarding the first vent 1012 and the second vent 1014 as independently moveable relative to one another, and referencing
Specifically, the emissions recovery system 1000 of
In some embodiments, one or more of the primary, sub, and/or terminal branches of the branched ducting portion 1040 can extend or split from any alternative primary, sub, and/or terminal branch than as disclosed above. The branched ducting portion 1040 can include one or more additional primary, sub, and/or terminal branches (e.g., duplicate branches, etc.) extending or splitting from one of the listed primary, sub, or terminal branch. Further, each of the primary, sub, and/or terminal branches can include a flow-limiting valve (e.g., a butterfly valve, blade damper, guillotine damper, louver damper, inlet vane damper, etc.) configured to limit flow through the respective branch, and any branch downstream therefrom.
The first vent 1012 can be fluidically coupled to the first terminal sub-branch 1042c of the first primary branch 1042, and to the first terminal sub-branch of the second primary branch 1044. The second vent 1014 can be fluidically coupled to the second terminal sub-branch 1042d of the first primary branch 1042, and to the second terminal sub-branch of the second primary branch 1044. Each of the first and/or the second terminal sub-branches of the first primary branch 1042, and each of the first and/or the second terminal sub-branches of the second primary branch 1044 (collectively, the “direct connection branches”) can include positioning elements within, thereon, or integrated therewith, configured to position the first and/or the second vents 1012, 1014. For example, each of the direct connection branches can include a vent positioning element. The vent positioning elements can allow the first vent 1012 and the second vent 1014 to move (e.g., translate, rotate, bend, etc.) individually-relative to, or toward or away from, the charging ram 262, the first door extractor 264, and/or the coking oven 302 of
The vent positioning elements can be a telescoping feature TF of each of the direct connection branches. In this arrangement, the telescoping features TF can position both the first vent 1012 and the second vent 1014 relative to the top surface of the charging ram 262. For example, each of the direct connection branches can include a first portion and a second portion of the ducting section, with the first portion configured to nest within the second portion. Either of the first or the second portions can couple with the first and the second vents 1012, 1014, and can translate along the respective lengths of the direct connection branches. The telescoping features TF can allow the first vent 1012 and the second vent 1014 to translate between a retracted position (as shown in
Referencing
In particular, the method 1100 can include (i) providing a coking oven including a charging opening and a charging door at the charging opening (process portion 1102); (ii) drawing a vacuum within ducting of an emissions recovery system, wherein the emissions recovery system includes a first vent a first distance from the charging door and a second vent a second distance from the charging door (process portion 1104); (iii) opening the charging door (process portion 1106), (iv) charging coal into the coking oven via a coal charging system (process portion 1108), and (vi) collecting, while charging coal into the coking oven, dust particles at the charging opening via the first vent and the second vent (process portion 1110).
Providing the coking oven including the charging opening and the charging door (process portion 1102) can include aligning a coking oven charging system having the emissions recovery system implemented with the coking charging opening. For example, either the coking oven or the charging system can be positionable relative to one another via rails or another positioning means. The coking oven and the charging system can be rolled toward one another until a charging ram of the charging system is aligned with the coking oven. Once aligned, the coking oven and/or the charging system can be secured in place. In some embodiments, the coking oven and the charging system can be rigidly secured (e.g., non-moveable) to an industrial floor or ground, aligned with one another.
Drawing the vacuum within ducting of the emissions recovery system (process portion 1104) can include initiating a vacuum pump of the vacuum assembly, thereby establishing a vacuum within the vacuum assembly that can be extended into the venting assembly via the ducting assembly. The vacuum established within the venting assembly can generate suction from the first vent, the second vent, and any additional vents. Further, drawing the vacuum can include monitoring a pressure, temperature, and/or airflow (e.g., via sensor readings) at one or more locations within the venting assembly, the vacuum assembly, and/or the ducting assembly. Based on one or more of the readings, an operating speed of the vacuum pump can be increased or decreased to maintain one or more of these characteristics within a certain operating range. Further, one or more elements of the ducting assembly, such as a non-return valve, a spark arrester, and/or a temperature control valve, can similarly operate to maintain one or more of these characteristics within the certain operating range.
Opening the charging door (process portion 1106) can include manually or automatically removing the charging door from the coking oven. For example, an operator can manually move the charging door with industrial heavy equipment, such as an excavator, to expose the charging opening. Additionally or alternatively, the charging system can include one or more door extractors (e.g., a first door extractor proximate to a charging ram and a second door extractor proximate to a pusher ram) that, when aligned, can selectively unlatch and remove the charging door. For example, each of the door extractors can include an assembly configured to slide, rotate, lift, and/or pull the charging door such that the charging door is removed from in front of the charging opening.
Charging coal into the coking oven via the coal charging system (process portion 1108) can include positioning the charging ram within the coking oven, or the coking oven around the charging ram, and charging coal into the coking oven. While charging coal into the coking oven, collecting emissions particles (as well as other gases or gaseous matter expelled by the charging ram and coking oven) at the charging opening via the first vent and the second vent (process portion 1110) can include the suction at the first and the second vent by the vacuum pump drawing emissions particles into openings of the vents. Emissions particles collected by the first vent and the second vent can then travel through the ducting assembly and into collections assemblies within a baghouse or other receptacle of the vacuum assembly. Collecting emission particles can also include one or more hood assemblies partially or fully surrounding one or more of the vents, directing emissions particles into the suction from the first and the second vent.
The method 1100 can further include pushing coke via a pusher ram from the coke oven, and collecting dust particles at the pusher opening via the one or more vents. For example, the second door extractor, as described herein, can remove a door of an oven including coke, and push the coke via the pusher ram while collecting dust particles at the pusher opening. Emissions particles collected by the one or more vents can then travel through the ducting assembly and into collections assemblies within a baghouse or other receptacle of the vacuum assembly. Collecting emission particles can also include one or more hood assemblies partially or fully surrounding one or more of the vents, directing emissions particles into the suction from the one or more vents.
Referencing
As shown, the emissions recovery system 1200 can be implemented with the charging system 1260 to collect emissions produced thereby, as well as emissions expelled by the coking oven, thereby preventing these emissions from entering the surrounding environment and recapturing coal and/or coke for future processing and/or use. The emissions recovery system 1200 can include a venting assembly 1210 fluidically coupled to a vacuum assembly 1220 by a ducting assembly 1230. The vacuum assembly 1220 can include a vacuum pump, an ID fan, and/or the like, and can be operated to apply a vacuum pressure to the venting assembly 1210 via the ducting assembly 1230. Operation of the venting assembly 1210, the vacuum assembly 1220, and/or the ducting assembly 1230, and one or more elements thereof, can be manually or automatically managed by a controls system located in a control room above the pusher ram or between the charging ram 1262 and the baghouse 1222.
The venting assembly 1210 can be positioned on the charging side of the charging system 1260, with a first vent 1212 over the charging end of the charging ram 1262 and a second vent 1214 over the charging end of the pusher ram 1252. For example, the first vent 1212 and the second vent 1214 can face toward (or away from) the charging ram 1262, the pusher ram 1252, and/or the opening of the coking oven 302 (e.g., the first door extractor 1264 or the second door extractor 1254). Each of the first and second vents 1212 and 1214 can be manually or automatically rotated at least about a length thereof. A first hood assembly 1218, supported by a first hood frame 1274, can at least partially encase (e.g., vertically and/or laterally surround) the first vent 1212 and similarly extend over the charging ram 1262, the first door extractor 1264, and/or the coking oven opening. A second hood assembly 1219, supported by a second hood frame 1275, can at least partially encase (e.g., vertically and/or laterally surround) the second vent 1214 and similarly extend over the pusher ram 1252, the second door extractor 1254, and/or the coking oven opening. The first and second hood assemblies 1218 and 1219 are sized and configured to prevent damp air in the environment from entering the suction region and to maintain high pressure within the suction region. A diverter 1221 can be positioned to fully or partially divert the vacuum pressure applied by the vacuum assembly 1220 between the first vent 1212 and the second vent 1214. For example, the diverter 1221 can include a valve, a movable flap, and/or the like. In operation, the diverter 1221 can be controlled (e.g., dynamically controlled) to distribute the vacuum pressure between the first vent 1212 and the second vent 1214 by a desired proportion.
Regarding separation distances, the first vent 1212 can be a first vertical distance from the charging ram 1262, and the second vent 1214 can be a second vertical distance from the pusher ram 1252. The first vent 1212 can be a first lateral distance from the first door extractor 1264, and the second vent 1214 can be a second lateral distance from the second door extractor 1254.
In operation, while the charging ram 1262 charges coal into the coke oven, the first vent 1212 can be at least partially activated, and the second vent 1214 can be at least partially deactivated (e.g., via the diverter 1221). Therefore, emissions around the charging ram 1262 can be directed to the first vent 1212. Conversely, while the pusher ram 1252 pushes coke out of the coke oven, the second vent 1214 can be at least partially activated, and the first vent 1212 can be at least partially deactivated (e.g., via the diverter 1221). Therefore, emissions around the pusher ram 1252 can be directed to the second vent 1214. Accordingly, the venting assembly 1210 can maximize or otherwise provide a relatively large draft to collect particles and other emissions. Furthermore, selectively activating multiple vents, as opposed to using a single larger vent, can keep the draft and/or velocity relatively high (e.g., assuming a constant fan size).
The plates 1370, 1372, 1376 can be mechanically coupled to the first hood frame 1274. Alternatively, the first hood frame 1274 can be excluded, with the plates 1370, 1372, 1376 directly coupled to the first vent 1212. In some embodiments, the first hood assembly 1218 can include additional plates extending coplanar with, or at an angle from, the plates 1370, 1372, 1376, and/or skirts (e.g., flexible metal and/or non-metal) to form a seal with, and/or to better direct emissions from, the coking oven 302.
The plates 1470, 1472, 1476 can be mechanically coupled to the second hood frame 1275. Alternatively, the second hood frame 1275 can be excluded, with the plates 1470, 1472, 1476 directly coupled to the second vent 1214. In some embodiments, the second hood assembly 1219 can include additional plates extending coplanar with, or at an angle from, the plates 1470, 1472, 1476, and/or skirts (e.g., flexible metal and/or non-metal) to form a seal with, and/or to better direct emissions from, the coking oven 302.
The left-hand side of
In the illustrated embodiment, the first vent 1812 is positioned above the charging ram 1862, the second vent 1814 is positioned above the pusher ram 1852, and the third vent 1820 is positioned above the coking oven door extractor 1854. The first, second, and third vents 1812, 1814, 1820 can be manually or automatically moved and/or rotated to optimize emission recovery. As shown in
Regarding separation distances, the first vent 1812 can be a first vertical distance from the charging ram 1862, the second vent 1814 can be a second vertical distance from the pusher ram 1852, and the third vent 1820 can be a third vertical distance from the door extractor 1854. The first vent 1812 can be a first lateral distance from the door extractor 1854, and the second vent 1814 can be a second lateral distance from the door extractor 1254.
Each of the charging ram 1862 and the pusher ram 1852 can include a loading end at the loading side (e.g., a first side, coal-loading side) of the charging system 1860, and a charging end at the charging side (e.g., a second side, pusher side; e.g., extending along a length) of the charging system 1860. The charging ram 1862 and the pusher ram 1852 can each include a conveyor system configured to receive coal on the loading side, and transport the coal to the charging side. The charging ram 1862 and the pusher ram 1852 can also include a positioning assembly configured to position (e.g., locate, translate, rotate, move, etc.) the charging end (or a portion of the charging ram 1862 or the pusher ram 1852 at the charging side) along the length of the charging system 1860 and/or within a coking oven (see, e.g., the coking oven 302 in
As shown, the emissions recovery system 1800 can be implemented with the charging system 1860 to collect emissions produced thereby, as well as emissions expelled by the coking oven, thereby preventing these emissions from entering the surrounding environment and recapturing coal and/or coke for future processing and/or use. In some embodiments, the emissions recovery system 1800 includes a venting assembly fluidically coupled to a vacuum assembly by a ducting assembly. Operation of the venting assembly, the vacuum assembly, and/or the ducting assembly, and one or more elements thereof, can be manually or automatically managed by a controls system.
In some embodiments, the first vent 1812, the second vent 1814, and the third vent 1820 can be connected differently from the illustrated embodiment. For example, the second vent 1814 and the third vent 1820 may extend from the same port. In another example, the third vent 1820 can extend directly from the first vent 1812. In some embodiments, the first vent 1812, the second vent 1814, and/or the third vent 1820 can be operated in conjunction with a louver damper to control opening of each vent and thus emission gas flow. In some embodiments, the control operations of opening each vent can be at least partially tied such that, for example, when the first vent 1812 is open, the third vent 1820 is closed, and vice versa. Other combinations of tying vent opening and closing operation are within the scope of the present technology.
In some embodiments, the emissions recovery system 1800 includes fewer, additional, or alternative components compared to the illustrated embodiment. For example, the emissions recovery system 1800 may not include the second vent 1814 and the second hood assembly 1819, and the pusher ram 1852 may operate without emissions recovery. In another example, another hood assembly can be positioned around the coking oven door extractor 1854 and configured to direct emissions towards the third vent 1820. In another example, another hood assembly (and vent) can be positioned over a coal feed hopper (e.g., located above the charging ram 1862 or the pusher ram 1852), over a coke oven, or behind the charging system 1860. In another example, the coking oven charging system 1860 may include a coke stamper positioned adjacent the charging ram 1862 and configured for stamp charging, and the emissions recovery system 1800 may include another vent and hood assembly pair positioned over the coke stamper. In yet another example, the coking oven charging system 1860 may include a de-clinkering ram configured to decarb or clean the oven, and the emissions recovery system 1800 may include another vent and hood assembly pair positioned over the de-clinkering ram. In some embodiments, a vent and hood assembly pair is positioned over any component of the coking oven charging system 1860 that is expected to engage the oven for at least about 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 30 seconds, or more.
It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the present disclosure. In some cases, well known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the present technology. Although steps of methods may be presented herein in a particular order, alternative embodiments may perform the steps in a different order. Similarly, certain aspects of the present technology disclosed in the context of particular embodiments can be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the present technology may have been disclosed in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments can also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages or other advantages disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein, and the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
Throughout this disclosure, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, the term “comprising,” “including,” and “having” should be interpreted to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same feature and/or additional types of other features are not precluded.
Reference herein to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments” or similar formulations means that a particular feature, structure, operation, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or formulations herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, various particular features, structures, operations, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing dimensions, pressures, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present technology. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Additionally, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes any and all subranges between (and including) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10, i.e., any and all subranges having a minimum value of equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10, e.g., 5.5 to 10.
The disclosure set forth above is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims.
The present technology is illustrated, for example, according to various aspects described below as numbered clauses (1, 2, 3, etc.) for convenience. These are provided as examples and do not limit the present technology. It is noted that any of the dependent clauses may be combined in any combination, and placed into a respective independent clause. The other clauses can be presented in a similar manner.
1. An emissions recovery system for use in an industrial facility, comprising:
2. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a first ducting branch and a second ducting branch, each extending from the second end region, wherein the first ducting branch is fluidically coupled to a first end of the first vent and a first end of the second vent, and the second ducting branch is fluidically coupled to a second end of the first vent and a second end of the second vent.
3. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the opening corresponds to a door of a coking oven.
4. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the opening is a first opening corresponding to a charging door of a coking oven, the emissions recovery system further comprising a third vent positioned to collect emissions particles released from a second opening corresponding to a pushing door of the coking oven.
5. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein further comprising a third vent fluidically coupled to the second end region, wherein the third vent is positionable at a third distance from the opening and configured to collect emissions particles released from the opening.
6. The emissions recovery system of clause 5, further comprising a hood assembly at the third vent and configured to direct emissions particles released from at least the opening toward the third vent.
7. The emissions recovery system of clauses 5 or 6, wherein the first distance and the second distance each include a lateral distance component and a vertical distance component, and the third distance includes a vertical distance component.
8. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the first vent and the second vent are each positionable about an axis along the respective lengths thereof.
9. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the first vent and the second vent are each positionable along a lateral distance from the opening.
10. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the first vent and the second vent are each positionable along a vertical distance from the opening.
11. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the first vent and the second vent are each include a housing and a faceplate coupled to the housing, and wherein the faceplate includes a plurality of openings configured for emissions particles released from the opening to pass therethrough.
12. The emissions recovery system of clause 10, wherein the first vent and the second vent each include a closure assembly configured to selectively modify a size of the openings of the first vent and the second vent, respectively.
13. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a non-return valve coupled to the ducting and configured to limit an airflow within the ducting as from the second end region to the first end region.
14. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a spark arrester coupled to the ducting between the first end region and the second end region, and configured to extinguish embers within the ducting.
15. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a temperature control valve coupled to the ducting between the first end region and the second end region, and configured to allow air from outside the ducting into the ducting to reduce a temperature therein.
16. The emissions recovery system of claim 1, further comprising:
17. An emissions recovery system for use in an industrial facility, comprising:
18. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein:
19. The emissions recovery system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the first ducting branch and the second ducting branch each include a first sub-branch and a second sub-branch.
20. The emissions recovery system of clause 17, wherein the first sub-branch of the first ducting branch is fluidically coupled to the first end region of the first vent, and the first sub-branch of the second ducting branch is fluidically coupled to the second end region of the first vent.
21. The emissions recovery system of clause 17, wherein the second sub-branch of the first ducting branch is fluidically coupled to the first end region of the second vent, and the second sub-branch of the second ducting branch is fluidically coupled to the second end region of the second vent.
22. A coking system, comprising:
23. The coking system of any one of the clauses herein wherein the emissions recovery system further includes a third vent a third distance from the charging door, wherein the third vent includes a first end fluidically coupled to the first ducting branch and a second end fluidically coupled to the second ducting branch.
24. The coking system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the induced draft fan is configured to establish a variable vacuum pressure within the ducting.
25. The coking system of claim 22, wherein the induced draft fan is configured to apply a pressure within the ducting, and wherein the emissions recovery system further includes:
26. A method for collecting emissions particles while charging a coking oven, the method comprising:
27. The method of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising:
28. The method of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the first door is spaced apart from the second door along a lateral axis, the method further comprising tramming a pusher charger machine (PCM) along the lateral axis, wherein collecting the emissions particles occurs while tramming the PCM.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/601,511, filed Nov. 21, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63601511 | Nov 2023 | US |
