Sole FLUE assembly for a non-recovery COKE oven

Abstract

A sole flue for a non-recovery coke oven including one or more longitudinal blocks each having two colinear openings disposed therein and forming a passageway therebetween, one of the openings being recessed therein and the opposite opening protruding therefrom, a first elbow block having two perpendicularly arranged openings disposed therein and forming a passageway therebetween, one of the openings of the first elbow block being recessed therein and the other opening of the first elbow block protruding therefrom, and a second elbow block having two perpendicularly arranged openings disposed therein and forming a passageway therebetween, each of the openings of the second elbow block being recessed therein, wherein the protruding openings of the blocks are adapted to be at least partially seated within the recessed openings of an adjacently arranged block, thereby fluidly connecting adjacent passageways of the blocks. A modular block for a non-recovery coke oven is also disclosed.

Description

Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WOSOLE FLUE ASSEMBLY FOR A NON-RECOVERY COKE OVEN CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under Articles 4 and 8 of the Stockholm Act of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 704,266, filed October 7, 2024, which application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a sole flue, specifically a sole flue assembly for a coke oven, and more specifically, a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery style coke oven.BACKGROUND

[0003] Coke is a solid carbon fuel and is utilized as a carbon source to melt and reduce iron ore in the production of steel. Coke is macroporous carbon material of high strength produced by carbonization of coals or coal blends at temperatures up to approximately 1200°C, known as “coking”. To achieve this carbonization process, “ovens,” “coke ovens,” or “coking ovens,” are typically utilized.

[0004] In one process, commonly 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.

[0005] 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 the 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 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.Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO

[0006] 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.

[0007] Horizontal Heat Recovery (“HHR”) ovens have a unique environmental advantage over chemical byproduct ovens based upon the relative operating atmospheric pressure conditions inside HHR ovens. HHR ovens operate under negative pressure, whereas chemical byproduct ovens operate at a slightly positive atmospheric pressure. Both oven types are typically constructed of refractory bricks and other materials in which creating a substantially airtight environment can be a challenge because small cracks can form in these structures during day-to-day operation. Chemical byproduct ovens are kept at a positive pressure to avoid oxidizing recoverable products and overheating the ovens. Conversely, HHR ovens are kept at a negative pressure, drawing in air from outside the oven to oxidize the coal's VM and to release the heat of combustion within the oven. It is important to minimize the loss of volatile gases to the environment, so the combination of positive atmospheric conditions and small openings or cracks in chemical byproduct ovens allow raw coke oven gas (“COG”) and hazardous pollutants to leak into the atmosphere. Conversely, the negative atmospheric conditions and small openings or cracks in the HHR ovens or locations elsewhere in the coke plant simply allow additional air to be drawn into the oven or other locations in the coke plant so that the negative atmospheric conditions resist the loss of COG to the atmosphere.

[0008] One area of concern in non-recovery ovens or HHR ovens is in the sole flues and the associated pathways connected to the sole flues and the ovens. The sole flues are arranged in the floor of the respective oven. The sole flues are connected in a serpentine pattern under the oven floor, forming “tunnels”. The sole flues are in fluid communication with the oven via a downcomer channel, which allows volatile gases emitted from the coal in the oven, to flow down the downcomer channels and into the sole flues, where these volatile gases can combust within the sole flues, thereby generating heat to support reduction of coal into coke within the oven. Therefore, the sole flues provide indirect heat to the floor of the oven. An issue, however, is this constant combustion in the sole flues imparts extreme amount of thermal stress on this structure.Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WOAdditionally, the sole flues are typically formed of multiple bricks which are mortared together, creating multiple seams between bricks and extra material that can crack or separate from the constant thermal stress. In some configurations, traditional sole flues have wall components that form the various tunnels and passageways of the serpentine pattern. Not only are these more individual components, having seams between adjacent wall portions, but are necessarily thinner in construction, making them susceptible to failure from constant exposure to thermal stress, i.e., namely combustion and high heat.

[0009] Lastly, the sole flue apparatus of a non-recovery oven typically have a ceiling structure placed over the bricks, blocks, or wall pieces, which also introduces additional seams in the sole flue structure, increasing, even further, the number of components needed to assemble the structure and potentially introducing additional failure points at the seams created between the underneath bricks, blocks, or wall pieces, and the ceiling components.

[0010] Therefore, there is a long felt need for an improved sole flue assembly for a nonrecovery coke oven, which assembly reduces the overall number of components needed, thereby reducing the number of seams, and thus reducing potential cracking or weak points, and where the assembly reduces the need for mortar. Further, there is a need for an improved sole flue assembly that incorporates a ceiling or roof within the individual blocks, thereby further removing the need for additional blocks and reducing seams within the flue sole structure. Additionally, there is also a need for modular components, i.e., modular blocks, that may be fluidly connected in a plurality of possible configurations, to form tunnels of a sole flue assembly, where such modular blocks each have a passageway therein and the passageways have variable perimeters, i.e., tapered configurations, to decrease and / or increase the flow of gases, heat, air, etc. within the tunnels. Lastly, there is a need for modular blocks that may be fluidly connected to adjacent blocks via mating means, such as protruding sections being at least partially seated within a recessed section of an adjacent block — improving the fluid connection therebetween.SUMMARY

[0011] The invention broadly relates to a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, comprising a plurality of longitudinal blocks, each of the longitudinal blocks having a floor, a ceiling, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of open faces disposed perpendicular to the pair of sidewalls, one the of open faces having a recessed portion therein and the other of the open faces having a protruding portion extending therefrom, an opening disposed in each of the pair of open faces, theAttorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO openings defining a passageway therein, a first elbow block having a floor, a ceiling, a pair of sidewalls arranged perpendicularly, and a pair of open faces arranged opposite and parallel to the pair of sidewalls, one the of open faces having a recessed portion therein and the other of the open faces having a protruding portion extending therefrom, an opening disposed in each of the pair of open faces, the openings defining a passageway therein, and a second elbow block having a floor, a ceiling, a pair of sidewalls arranged perpendicularly, and a pair of open faces arranged opposite and parallel to the pair of sidewalls, each of the open faces having a recessed portion therein, an opening disposed in each of the pair of open faces, the openings defining a passageway therein, wherein the protruding portion of at least some of each block of the plurality of longitudinal blocks is adapted to be at least partially seated within the recessed portion of one or more of an adjacent longitudinal block of the plurality of longitudinal blocks, the first elbow block, or the second elbow block, wherein the protruding portion of the first elbow block is adapted to be at least partially seated within one of the recessed portions of the second elbow block.

[0012] In some embodiments, the openings of each longitudinal block are arched proximate the ceiling. In some embodiments, the openings of the first elbow block are arched proximate the ceiling. In some embodiments, the openings of the second elbow block are arched proximate the ceiling. It should be appreciated that the passageways of any of the aforementioned blocks may be configured where the passageway is arched proximate the ceiling of the block. In some embodiments, the protruding portions of each longitudinal block are circumscribed by a shelf. In some embodiments, the recessed portions of each longitudinal block are circumscribed by a lip. In some embodiments, the protruding portions of both the first and second elbow blocks are circumscribed by a shelf. In some embodiments, the recessed portions of both the first and second elbow blocks are circumscribed by a lip.

[0013] In other aspects, the present invention relates to a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, the sole flue comprising one or more longitudinal blocks each having a pair of colinear openings disposed therein and forming a passageway therebetween, one of the openings being recessed therein and the opposite opening protruding therefrom, a first elbow block having a pair of perpendicularly arranged openings disposed therein and forming a passageway therebetween, one of the openings of the first elbow block being recessed therein and the other opening of the first elbow block protruding therefrom and a second elbow block having a pair of perpendicularly arranged openings disposed therein and forming a passageway therebetween, each of the openingsAttorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO of the second elbow block being recessed therein, wherein the protruding openings of the blocks are adapted to be at least partially seated within the recessed openings of an adjacently arranged block, thereby fluidly connecting adjacent passageways of the blocks.

[0014] In some embodiments, the openings of the one or more longitudinal blocks are arched proximate a ceiling of each longitudinal block. In some embodiments, the openings of first elbow block are arched proximate a ceiling of the first elbow block. In some embodiments, the openings of the second elbow block are arched proximate a ceiling of the second elbow block. In some embodiments, the openings of each of the one or more longitudinal blocks, the first elbow block, and the second elbow block, are arched proximate a ceiling of each of the blocks. It should be appreciated that the passageways of any of the aforementioned blocks may be configured where the passageway is arched proximate the ceiling of the block. In some embodiments, the protruding opening of the first elbow block is adapted to be partially seated within one of the recessed openings of the second elbow block, thereby fluidly connecting the passageways and forming an approximately 180° passageway between the first and second elbow blocks. In some embodiments, the pair of openings of the longitudinal block are colinear. In some embodiments, one or more passageways of the one or more longitudinal blocks is tapered, such that: a first opening of the pair of openings of one or more passageways of the one or more longitudinal blocks has a first perimeter; and, a second opening of the pair of openings of one or more passageways of the one or more longitudinal blocks has a second perimeter, wherein the first perimeter is greater than the second perimeter. In some embodiments, one or more passageways of one or more of the first and second elbow blocks is tapered, such that: a first opening of the pair of openings of the one or more passageways of one or more of the first and second elbow blocks has a first perimeter; and, a second opening of the pair of openings of the one or more passageways of one or more of the first and second elbow blocks has a second perimeter, wherein the first perimeter is greater than the second perimeter.

[0015] In further aspects, the present invention may relate to a modular block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, the modular block including a floor, a ceiling, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of open faces, an opening disposed in each of the pair of open faces, the openings defining a passageway therein, one of the open faces having a recessed portion therein and one of the openings disposed within the recessed portion, and the other of the open faces having either: a second recessed portion therein and the other of the openings disposed within theAttorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO second recessed portion; or, a protruding portion extending therefrom and the other of the openings disposed within the protruding portion.

[0016] In some designs, the invention may relate to a longitudinal block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, comprising the aforementioned modular block being configured with the other of the open faces including the protruding portion extending therefrom and the other of the openings disposed within the protruding portion, the pair of open faces arranged perpendicular to the pair of sidewalls.

[0017] In other designs, the invention may relate to an elbow block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, comprising the aforementioned modular block recited being configured with the other of the open faces including the protruding portion extending therefrom and the other of the openings disposed within the protruding portion, each open face arranged opposite and parallel to one sidewall of the pair of sidewalls.

[0018] Still, in further designs, the invention could related to an elbow block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, comprising the aforementioned modular block being configured with the second recessed portion therein and the other of the openings disposed within the second recessed portion, each open face arranged opposite and parallel to one sidewall of the pair of sidewalls.

[0019] In some embodiments, the passageway of the aforementioned modular block is arched proximate the ceiling.

[0020] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon a review of the following detailed description of the invention, in view of the drawings and appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:Figure 1 generally illustrates an embodiment of a non-recovery coke plant, partially cutaway;Figure 2 generally illustrates a partially-cut-away view of a traditional embodiment of sole flue assembly utilized in the coke plant shown in Figure 1;Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WOFigure 3 generally illustrates a parti al ly-cut-away view of an embodiment of the present invention within the coke plant shown in Figure 1;Figures 4A through 4D generally illustrate an isolated views of a portion of the invention shown in Figure 3;Figures 5A through 5D generally illustrate isolated views of a longitudinal block of the invention shown in Figures 4A through 4D;Figures 6A through 6D generally illustrate isolated views of a first elbow block of the invention shown in Figures 4A through 4D;Figure 7A through 7D generally illustrate isolated views of a second elbow block of the invention shown in Figures 4A through 4D;Figure 8 generally illustrates a partially-cut-away view of a further embodiment of the present invention within the coke plant shown in Figure 1;Figures 9A and 9B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the elbow block shown in Figures 6A through 6D; and,Figures 10A and 10B illustrate alternative embodiments of the longitudinal blocks shown in Figure 5A through 5D.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects.

[0023] Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and, as such, may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0024] The word “example” or “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

[0025] If the specification states a component or feature “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,” “optionally,” “for example,” “often,” or “might” (or other such language) be included or have a characteristic, that a specific component or featureAttorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO is not required to be included or to have the characteristic. Such a component or feature may be optionally included in some embodiments, or it may be excluded.

[0026] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments.

[0027] It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly,” “very nearly,” “about,” “approximately,” “around,” “bordering on,” “close to,” “essentially,” “in the neighborhood of,” “in the vicinity of,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “nearby,” “close,” “adjacent,” “neighboring,” “immediate,” “adjoining,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. The term “approximately” is intended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value.

[0028] It should be understood that use of “or” in the present application is with respect to a “non-exclusive” arrangement, unless stated otherwise. For example, when saying that “item x is A or B,” it is understood that this can mean one of the following: (1) item x is only one or the other of A and B; (2) item x is both A and B. Alternately stated, the word “or” is not used to define an “exclusive or” arrangement. For example, an “exclusive or” arrangement for the statement “item x is A or B” would require that x can be only one of A and B. Furthermore, as used herein, “and / or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and / or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.

[0029] Moreover, as used herein, the phrases “comprises at least one of’ and “comprising at least one of’ in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a deviceAttorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and, a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase “used in at least one of:” is used herein.

[0030] As also used herein, “fluid communication”, “communication”, “fluid connection”, “fluidly connected”, and / or substantial equivalents thereof, is meant to mean two or more components are connected such that a substance, e.g., gases, fluid, etc., can flow between and / or within the two components. “Fluid communication”, “communication”, and / or equivalents thereof, is also intended to include heat transfer between two or more components.EXEMPLARY NON-RECOVERY OVEN AND RESPECTIVE SOLE FLUE

[0031] Adverting now to the Figures, Figure 1 generally illustrates an isometric, partial cutaway view of a portion of an embodiment of non-recovery coke plant 10 configured in accordance with embodiments of the technology and where the present invention may be deployed. Plant 10 includes a plurality of coke ovens, e.g., coke oven 12. Each of oven 12 can include an open cavity defined by floor 28, front door 30 forming substantially the entirety of one side of the oven, a rear door (not shown) opposite front door 30 forming substantially the entirety of the side of the oven opposite the front door, a pair of sidewalls, e.g., sidewall 32, extending upwardly from oven floor 28 intermediate front door 30 and rear door, and crown 36 that forms the top surface of the open cavity of oven chamber 34. A first end of crown 36 can rest on first sidewall 32 while a second end of crown 36 can rest on an opposing sidewall 32 as shown. Adjacent ovens 12 can share a common sidewall 32.

[0032] In operation, volatile gases emitted from the coal positioned inside oven chamber 34 collect in crown 36 (the roof or ceiling) and are drawn downstream in the overall system into downcommer channels 14 formed in one or both sidewalls 32. The downcommer channels 14 fluidly connect oven chamber 34 with a sole flue 18 positioned beneath oven floor 28. Sole flue 18 includes a plurality of side-by-side runs 20, or “tunnels,” that form a circuitous path beneath oven floor 28. While runs 20 in Figure 1 are shown to be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of oven 12 (i.e., parallel to sidewalls 32), in other embodiments of coke plant 10, sole flue 18Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO can be configured such that at least some segments of runs 20 are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of oven 12 (i.e., perpendicular to sidewalls 32). Volatile gases emitted from the coal can be combusted in sole flue 18, thereby generating heat to support the reduction of coal into coke. Downcommer channels 14 are fluidly connected to chimneys or uptake channels 16 formed in one or both sidewalls 32.

[0033] From time to time, downcommer channels 14 may require inspection or service to ensure that oven chamber 34 remains in open fluid communication with sole flue 18 positioned beneath oven floor 28. Accordingly, in various configurations of oven 12, downcommer covers 22 are positioned over openings in the upper end portions of individual downcommer channels 14. Downcommer covers 22 may be provided as a single, plate structure or may be formed from a plurality of separate cover members that are positioned closely adjacent, or secured with, one another. For example, downcommer covers 22 include one or more inspection openings 24 that penetrate central portions of the downcommer cover 22. Plugs 26 may be provided to have shapes that approximate those of inspection openings 24. Accordingly, plugs 26 may be removed for visual inspection or repair of downcommer channels 14 and returned in order to limit the unintentional escape of volatile gases.

[0034] Coke is produced in ovens 12 by first loading coal into oven chamber 34, heating the coal in an oxygen-depleted environment, driving off the volatile fraction of coal, and then oxidizing the VM within oven 12 to capture and utilize the heat given off. The coal volatiles are oxidized within ovens 12 over an extended coking cycle and release heat to regeneratively drive the carbonization of the coal to coke. The coking cycle begins when front door 30 is opened and coal is charged onto oven floor 28. The coal on oven floor 28 is known as the coal bed. Heat from the oven (due to the previous coking cycle) starts the carbonization cycle. Roughly half of the total heat transfer to the coal bed is radiated down onto the top surface of the coal bed from the luminous flame of the coal bed and radiant oven crown 36. The remaining half of the heat is transferred to the coal bed by conduction from oven floor 28, which is convectively heated from the volatilization of gases in sole flue 18. In this way, a carbonization process “wave” of plastic flow of the coal particles and formation of high strength cohesive coke proceeds from both the top and bottom boundaries of the coal bed.

[0035] Typically, each of ovens 12 is operated at negative pressure so air is drawn into the oven during the reduction process due to the pressure differential between oven 12 and theAttorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO atmosphere. Primary air for combustion is added to oven chamber 34 to partially oxidize the coal volatiles, but the amount of this primary air is controlled so that only a portion of the volatiles released from the coal are combusted in oven chamber 34, thereby releasing only a fraction of their enthalpy of combustion within oven chamber 34. The primary air is introduced into oven chamber 34 above the coal bed. The partially combusted gases pass from oven chamber 34 through downcommer channels 14 into sole flue 18 where secondary air is added to the partially combusted gases. As the secondary air is introduced, the partially combusted gases are more fully combusted in sole flue 18, thereby extracting the remaining enthalpy of combustion, which is conveyed through oven floor 28 to add heat to oven chamber 34. The fully or nearly fully combusted exhaust gases exit sole flue 18 through uptake channels 16. At the end of the coking cycle, the coal has coked out and has carbonized to produce coke. The coke can be removed from oven 12 through the rear door utilizing a mechanical extraction system (opposite door 30 and not shown). Finally, the coke is quenched (e.g., wet or dry quenched) and sized before delivery to a user.

[0036] Figure 2 generally illustrates a partially-cut-away view of a traditional embodiment of a sole flue assembly, e.g., sole flue 18, utilized in coke plant 10 in Figure 1, in accordance with embodiments of the technology. As discussed supra, downcommer channels 14 fluidly connect oven chamber 34 with sole flue 18. Sole flue 18 includes a plurality of side-by-side runs 17, or “tunnels”, beneath the oven floor. As discussed with respect to oven 12, runs 17 in Figure 2 are shown to be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the oven. However, in other embodiments, sole flue 18 can be configured such that at least some segments of runs 17 are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the oven. The tunnels, e.g., runs 17 are separated by sole flue walls 36. A plurality of sole flue wall segments 38 couple with one another to define individual sole flue walls 36.

[0037] Volatile gases emitted from the coal in the oven are directed to sole flue 18 through downcommer channels 14, which are fluidly connected to chimneys or uptake channels 16 by sole flue 18. The volatile gases are directed along a circuitous path along sole flue 18. The volatile gases exit downcommer channels 14 and are directed along a fluid pathway through runs 17. In particular, there may be blocking wall section 40, which is positioned to extend transversely between sole flue wall 36 and outer sole flue wall 42, between downcommer channels 14 and uptake channels 16, therefore, the volatile gases are substantially prevented from short circuiting the fluid pathway from downcommer channels 14 and the uptake channels 16.Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO

[0038] As the volatile gases travel along the fluid pathway through sole flue 18, they are forced around end portions of sole flue walls 36, which may stop short of meeting with sole flue end walls 44. The gap between the end portion of sole flue walls 36 and sole flue end walls 44 may be provided with arch sections 46 to span the gap. Arch sections 46 may be U-shaped, providing a pair of opposing legs to engage sole flue floor 58 and an upper end portion to engage the oven floor. In some embodiments, arch section 46 engages anchor point 54 on sole flue wall 36 to support that side of arch section 46, where anchor point 54 is a recess or a notch formed in sole flue wall 36. As the volatile gases travel around end portions of sole flue walls 36, the volatile gases encounter comers, in certain embodiments, where sole flue end walls 44 meet outer sole flue walls 42 and sole flue walls 36. Such comers present, by definition, opposing surfaces that engage the volatile gases and induce turbulence that disrupt the smooth, laminar flow of the volatile gases. Accordingly, sole flue 18 may include sole flue comer sections 50 in the comers to reduce the disruption of the volatile gas flow.

[0039] In various prior art coking ovens, the outer sole flue walls are formed from brick. Accordingly, the downcommer channels and the uptake channels that extend through the outer sole flue walls are formed with flat opposing walls that meet at corners. Accordingly, the fluid pathway through the downcommer channels and the uptake channels is turbulent and reduces optimal fluid flow. Moreover, the irregular surfaces of the brick and the angular geometry of the downcommer channels and the uptake channels promote the build-up of debris and particulate over time, which further restricts fluid flow. At least portions of outer sole flue walls 42 with channel blocks 52. Channel blocks 52 include one or more channels therein defining one or more of downcommer channels 14 or uptake channels 16, having open ends that penetrate widths of channel blocks 52 and closed sidewalls. Inlet / outlet channel blocks 54 include one or more open channels that have open ends that penetrate widths of inlet / outlet channel blocks 54 and sidewalls that are open to one side of inlet / outlet channel blocks 54 to define channel openings 56. Inlet / outlet channel blocks 54 are positioned at the sole flue floor level, e.g., on sole flue floor 58. Channel blocks 52 are positioned on top of inlet / outlet channel blocks 54 so that ends of the channels and ends of the open channels are placed in open fluid communication with one another. In this orientation, channel openings 56 for one set of inlet / outlet channel blocks 54 may serve as the outlet for downcommer channels 14. Similarly, channel openings 56 for another set of inlet / outlet channel blocks 54 may serve as the inlet for uptake channels 16. More than one channelAttorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO block 52 may be positioned on top of each inlet / outlet channel block 54, depending on the desired height of outer sole flue wall 42 and sole flue 18.EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF A SOLE FLUE ASSEMBLY

[0040] In reference to Figure 3, which illustrates a representative sole flue assembly of the present invention, e.g., sole flue assembly 100, within a portion of sole flue 16 and Figures 4A through 4D which show various views of the representative sole flue assembly, isolated from sole flue, e.g., sole flue assembly 100. As illustrated, sole flue assembly 100 replaces substantially all of the bricks, blocks, walls, arches, etc., arranged within outer sole flue wall 42, e.g., channel blocks 52 and inlet / outlet channel blocks 54, and outer sole flue walls 44 of sole flue 16 in Figure 2. Not only are additional bricks, blocks, walls, arches, etc., replaced by assembly 100, assembly 100 provides a ceiling in which an oven floor can be constructed thereon. Generally, sole flue assembly comprises one or more of longitudinal block 102, one or more of first elbow block 104, and one or more of second elbow block 106. Each of blocks 102, 104, and 106 having a passageway therein, replacing runs 17 or tunnels, within sole flue 16 in Figure 2. As such, interconnecting one or more of blocks 102, 104, or 106, will form the serpentine pathway within sole flue 16. Each of blocks 102, 104, and 106 are modular blocks.

[0041] One possible arrangement of sole flue assembly 100 is shown in Figures 4A through 4D. In this embodiment, there are two “runs” or “tunnels”. The first tunnel, e.g., first tunnel Tl, is created by multiple longitudinal blocks 102, fluidly connected with and extending from first elbow block 104. The second tunnel, e.g., second tunnel T2, is created by multiple longitudinal blocks 102, fluidly connected with and extending from second elbow block 106. The first and second tunnels are fluidly connected by the connection of first elbow block 104 and second elbow block 106, which connection forms a connecting tunnel, e.g., connecting tunnel T3, between the first and second tunnels.

[0042] An exemplary embodiment of a single longitudinal block of the aforementioned sole assembly is illustrated in Figures 5A through 5D. In one possible embodiment, longitudinal block 102 generally includes floor 108, ceiling 110, and a pair of sidewalls, e.g., sidewalls 112 and 114, arranged therebetween. In some embodiments, floor 108 has planar surface 132 and ceiling 110 has planar surface 134. These planar surfaces improve installation on the sole flue floor and theAttorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO ceiling’s planar surface provides a level and flat surface to install the oven floor thereon. In some embodiments, ceiling 110 may be utilized as the oven floor, thereby further reducing the need for additional components, e.g., bricks, blocks, etc. Perpendicular to sidewalls 112 and 114 are open faces 116 and 118, respectively. Open face 116 includes protruding section 120 extending therefrom, thereby forming a shelf between the open face and the protruding section, circumscribing the protruding section. Opening 124 is arranged within protruding section 120. Open face 118 includes recessed section 122 arranged therein, thereby forming a lip between the open face and the recessed section, circumscribing the recessed section. Opening 126 is arranged within recessed section 122. Openings 124 and 126 defined respective terminating ends of passageway 130 arranged within longitudinal block 102. In a preferred embodiment, passageway 130 includes arch 128 proximate ceiling 110. It should be noted that there is a greater thickness between arch 128 and planar surface 134 of ceiling 110, as compared to a bottom surface of passageway 130 proximate floor 108. This configuration is purposeful, as thermodynamics require that heat (and heated volatile gas) rises, thus, the aforementioned section is thickened to prevent possible material failure and / or potential leakage from continuous thermal expansion the longitudinal blocks may experience while the respective oven is in use or temporarily off. Lastly, arch 128 provides a substantially curvilinear shape to reduce dead flow zones and / or turbulence in the volatile passing through the longitudinal blocks.

[0043] As generally illustrated in Figures 4A through 4D, the recessed section of the open face of a longitudinal block is design to accept the protruding section of the open face of an adjacently connected longitudinal block, i.e., adjacent blocks substantially and at least partial nest together, improving the fluid connection between two adjacent longitudinal blocks. This configuration greatly reduces the potential for heat, volatile gas, etc., from escaping fluidly connected blocks.

[0044] An exemplary embodiment of a first elbow block of the aforementioned sole assembly is illustrated in Figures 6A through 6D. In one possible embodiment, first elbow block 104 generally includes floor 136, ceiling 138, and a pair of sidewalls, e.g., sidewalls 140 and 142, arranged therebetween. In some embodiments, floor 136 has planar surface 160 and ceiling 138 has planar surface 162. These planar surfaces improve installation on the sole flue floor and the ceiling’s planar surface provides a level and flat surface to install the oven floor thereon. In some embodiments, ceiling 138 may be utilized as the oven floor, thereby further reducing the need for additional components, e.g., bricks, blocks, etc. Parallel to sidewalls 140 and 142 are open facesAttorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO146 and 144, respectively. Open face 146 includes protruding section 148 extending therefrom, thereby forming a shelf between the open face and the protruding section, circumscribing the protruding section. Opening 154 is arranged within protruding section 148. Open face 144 includes recessed section 150 arranged therein, thereby forming a lip between the open face and the recessed section, circumscribing the recessed section. Opening 152 is arranged within recessed section 150. Openings 152 and 154 defined respective terminating ends of passageway 158 arranged within first elbow block 104. In a preferred embodiment, passageway 158 includes arch 156 proximate ceiling 138. It should be noted that there is a greater thickness between arch 156 and planar surface 162 of ceiling 138, as compared to a bottom surface of passageway 158 proximate floor 136. This configuration is purposeful, as thermodynamics require that heat (and heated volatile gas) rises, thus, the aforementioned section is thickened to prevent possible material failure and / or potential leakage from continuous thermal expansion the longitudinal blocks may experience while the respective oven is in use or temporarily off. Lastly, arch 156 provides a substantially curvilinear shape to reduce dead flow zones and / or turbulence in the volatile passing through the longitudinal blocks. The same is true for the approximate 90° curve that passageway 158 has between openings 152 and 154, such that the curvilinear shape reduces dead flow zones and smooths out transitions in flow. In this manner, turbulence in the volatile gas flow may be reduced as the fluid pathway travels the corner areas of adjoining tunnels within the sole flue (See Figure 4C, connecting tunnel T3)

[0045] As generally illustrated in Figures 4A through 4D, the recessed section of the open face of the first elbow block is design to accept the protruding section of the open face of an adjacently connected longitudinal block (or a protruding section of another first elbow block if the respective tunnel of the sole flue requires such configuration), i.e., adjacent blocks substantially and at least partial nest together, improving the fluid connection between the first elbow block and another block, one or more of an adjacent longitudinal block or another first elbow block. This configuration greatly reduces the potential for heat, volatile gas, etc., from escaping fluidly connected blocks.

[0046] An exemplary embodiment of a second elbow block of the aforementioned sole assembly is illustrated in Figures 7A through 7D. In one possible embodiment, second elbow block 106 generally includes floor 164, ceiling 166, and a pair of sidewalls, e.g., sidewalls 168 and 170, arranged therebetween. In some embodiments, floor 164 has planar surface 188 and ceiling 166Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO has planar surface 190. These planar surfaces improve installation on the sole flue floor and the ceiling’s planar surface provides a level and flat surface to install the oven floor thereon. In some embodiments, ceiling 166 may be utilized as the oven floor, thereby further reducing the need for additional components, e.g., bricks, blocks, etc. Parallel to sidewalls 168 and 170 are open faces 174 and 172, respectively. Open face 172 includes first recessed section 176 arranged therein, thereby forming a lip between the open face and the recessed section, circumscribing the protruding section. Opening 180 is arranged within first recessed section 176. Open face 174 includes second recessed section 178 arranged therein, thereby forming a lip between the open face and the second recessed section, circumscribing the second recessed section. Opening 182 is arranged within second recessed section 178. Openings 180 and 182 defined respective terminating ends of passageway 186 arranged within second elbow block 106. In a preferred embodiment, passageway 186 includes arch 184 proximate ceiling 166. It should be noted that there is a greater thickness between arch 184 and planar surface 190 of ceiling 166, as compared to a bottom surface of passageway 186 proximate floor 164. This configuration is purposeful, as thermodynamics require that heat (and heated volatile gas) rises, thus, the aforementioned section is thickened to prevent possible material failure and / or potential leakage from continuous thermal expansion the longitudinal blocks may experience while the respective oven is in use or temporarily off. Lastly, arch 184 provides a substantially curvilinear shape to reduce dead flow zones and / or turbulence in the volatile passing through the longitudinal blocks. The same is true for the approximate 90° curve that passageway 186 has between openings 180 and 182, such that the curvilinear shape reduces dead flow zones and smooths out transitions in flow. In this manner, turbulence in the volatile gas flow may be reduced as the fluid pathway travels the corner areas of adjoining tunnels within the sole flue (See Figure 4C, connecting tunnel T3).

[0047] As generally illustrated in Figures 4A through 4D, the recessed sections of the open faces of the second elbow blocks are design to accept one or more of the protruding section of the open face of an adjacently connected longitudinal block or a protruding section of a first elbow block, i.e., adjacent blocks substantially and at least partial nest together, improving the fluid connection between the second elbow block and another block, one or more of an adjacent longitudinal block or an adjacent first elbow block. This configuration greatly reduces the potential for heat, volatile gas, etc., from escaping fluidly connected blocks.Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO

[0048] In reference to Figures 4A through 7D, it can be appreciated longitudinal block 102, first elbow block 104, and second elbow block 106 are modular, such that different combination of the blocks can be nested and fluidly connected to provide for a sole flue assembly configuration of a particular non-recovery coke oven. As discussed supra, unlike previous attempts to configure a sole flue assembly having multiple tunnels therein, the mating of a protruding section and recessed section of adjacently connected blocks, greatly enhances the fluid connection therebetween (i.e., similar to a “tongue and groove” connection between two components). Further, this mating configuration improves installation accuracy and efficiency. Additionally, because all of blocks 102, 104, and 106 — and their respective alternative configurations, described infra — have monolithic ceilings, floors, and sidewalls, their design provides for superior thermal resistance.

[0049] The following description should be taken in view of Figures 8 through 10B. Figure 8 illustrates another representative sole flue assembly of the present invention, e.g., sole flue assembly 100, within a portion of sole flue 16, having longitudinal blocks 102A, 102B, and 102C forming one of the tunnels of flue assembly, and also having first elbow block 104A in fluid connection with a plurality of openings of an inlet / outlet channel block. Figures 9A and 9B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the first elbow block, e.g., first elbow block 104A. Figures 10A and 10B illustrate alternative embodiments of the longitudinal blocks, e.g., longitudinal blocks 102A, 102B, and 102C.

[0050] In reference to Figures 9A and 9B, to accommodate a fluid connection between an inlet / outlet channel block and its respective openings (See Figure 3, openings 56 of inlet / outlet channel block 54), an elbow block may be elongated and have one of its openings be elongated, e.g., opening 192 of first elbow block 104A, such that all of the openings of the respective inlet / outlet channel block 54 are substantially within the perimeter of opening 192. It should be noted that first elbow block 104A is substantially identical to first elbow block 104 (having the same components) with the exception of an elongated configuration. Further, it should also be appreciated that opening 192 can be configured within one or more of protruding section 148 or recessed section 150 of open faces 144 and 146, hence, elongating the respective open face having opening 192 therein. As such, one having skill in the present technology will appreciate that dimensions of the elbow blocks and their respective components are variable, such that they can be elongated and / or condensed to properly accommodate a fluidly connected and necessary tunnelAttorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO configuration of a sole flue, thus, such variations are contemplated within the scope of the appending claims. Additionally, elongated configurations of the longitudinal blocks are also contemplated to accommodate different sole flue designs.

[0051] In reference to Figures 3, 8, and specifically Figures 10A and 10B, volatile and / or nonvolatile gases, air, and heat, all enter the sole flue via the downcommer channels (e.g., downcommer channels 14 within channel block 52 and inlet / outlet channel block 54 through channel openings 56). This point of entry, proximate the channel openings of the inlet / outlet channel block, is a main entry point to the tunnels of the sole flue. As such, the tunnels proximate this entry point experience greater wear, degrade faster, and need replacing, more frequently — subjecting the rest of the sole flue and its components, to thermal expansion from the necessary shutoff of the oven to repair certain portions. Longitudinal blocks, 102A, 102B, and 102C, generally show one potential solution to this issue by utilizing the Venturi effect to slow down the flow of volatile and / or non-volatile gases, air, and heat (or to speed up the flow of volatile and / or non-volatile gases, air, and heat). As shown, longitudinal blocks 102A and 102C have tapered passageways, e.g., tapered passageways 194 and 206, respectively, where longitudinal block 102B has a smaller external perimeter of its passageway, e.g., passageway 200, allowing the reduction in pressure that results when the moving flow of volatile and / or non-volatile gases, air, and heat speeds up as it flows through a constricted section (or choke) of the passageway, and vice versa.

[0052] Thus, a perimeter of opening 196 of longitudinal block 102A is greater than a perimeter of opening 198, in accordance with tapered passageway 194. Similarly, a perimeter of opening 208 of longitudinal block 102C is less than a perimeter of opening 210, in accordance with tapered passageway 206. Therefore, openings 202 and 204 of longitudinal block 102B have perimeters that are substantially equal with respect to an opening of an adjacent longitudinal block to maintain fluid connection when connected. One having skill in the technology will appreciate that tapered passageways 194 and 206 can taper with respect to a decreased and / or increased thickness proximate one or more of sidewalls 112 and 114, floor 108 and ceiling 110, or a combination thereof. Have variable thicknesses of one or more of sidewall 112, sidewall 114, floor 108, or ceiling 110, due to the tapered passageways, affords greater customization of the tunnel arrangements of a sole flue to accommodate for areas being subjected to greater stress from the flow of the downcommer channels and / or the uptake channels. Further, it can also be appreciated that tapered passageways 194 and 206 are shown in a non-exclusive arrangement and can beAttorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO reversed with respect to the recessed and the protruding sections of the pair of open faces. Still further, it should be noted that the various configurations of the elbow blocks of the sole flue assembly can also be configured to employ the tapered passageways to provide Venturi effect- facilitated benefits.

[0053] It will be appreciated that various aspects of the invention and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.CITATIONS

[0054] The following list of citations are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties: U.S. Patent No. 10,526,541, issued June 7, 2020; and, U.S. Patent No. 4,287,024, issued September 1, 1981.REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0055] 10 Coke plant; 12 Coke oven; 14 Downcommer channel; 16 Uptake channel; 18 Sole flue; 20 Side-by-side runs or tunnels; 22 Downcommer cover; 24 Inspection opening; 26 Plug; 28 Oven floor; 30Front door; 32 Sidewall; 34 Oven chamber; 36 Sole flue wall; 38 Wall segment; 40 Blocking wall section; 42 Outer sole flue wall; 44 End wall; 46 Arch portion; 48 Anchor point; 50 Flue comer section; 52 Channel block; 54 Inlet / outlet channel block; 56 Channel opening; 58 Sole flue floor; 100 Sole flue assembly; 102 Longitudinal block; 102A Longitudinal block; 102B Longitudinal block; 103C Longitudinal block; 104 First elbow block; 104A First elbow block; 106 Second elbow block; 108 Floor; 110 Ceiling; 112 Sidewall; 114 Sidewall; 116 Open face; 118 Open face; 120 Protruding section; 122 Recessed section; 124 Opening; 126 Opening; 128 Arch; 130 Passageway; 132 Planar surface; 134 Planar surface; 136 Floor; 138 Ceiling; 140 Sidewall; 142 Sidewall; 144 Open face; 146 Open face; 148 Protruding section; 150 Recessed section; 152 Opening; 154 Opening; 156 Arch; 158 Passageway; 160 Planar surface; 162 Planar surface; 164 Floor; 166 Ceiling; 168 Sidewall; 170 Sidewall; 172 Open face; 174 Open face; 176 First recessed section; 178 Second recessed section; 180 Opening; 182 Opening; 184 Arch; 186 Passageway; 188 Planar surface; 190 Planar surface; 192 Opening; 194 Tapered passageway; 196 Opening; 198 Opening; 200 Passageway; 202 Opening; 204 Opening; 206 Tapered passageway; 208 Opening; 210 Opening; T1 First tunnel; T2 Second tunnel; T3 Connecting tunnel.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WOCLAIMSWhat Is Claimed Is:

1. A sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, comprising: a plurality of longitudinal blocks, each of the longitudinal blocks having a floor, a ceiling, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of open faces disposed perpendicular to the pair of sidewalls, one the of open faces having a recessed portion therein and the other of the open faces having a protruding portion extending therefrom, an opening disposed in each of the pair of open faces, the openings defining a passageway therein; a first elbow block having a floor, a ceiling, a pair of sidewalls arranged perpendicularly, and a pair of open faces, each open face arranged opposite and parallel to one sidewall of the pair of sidewalls, one the of open faces having a recessed portion therein and the other of the open faces having a protruding portion extending therefrom, an opening disposed in each of the pair of open faces, the openings defining a passageway therein; and, a second elbow block having a floor, a ceiling, a pair of sidewalls arranged perpendicularly, and a pair of open faces arranged opposite and parallel to the pair of sidewalls, each of the open faces having a recessed portion therein, an opening disposed in each of the pair of open faces, the openings defining a passageway therein; wherein the protruding portion of at least some of each block of the plurality of longitudinal blocks is adapted to be at least partially seated within the recessed portion of one or more of an adjacent longitudinal block of the plurality of longitudinal blocks, the first elbow block, or the second elbow block, wherein the protruding portion of the first elbow block is adapted to be at least partially seated within one of the recessed portions of the second elbow block.

2. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim I, wherein the openings of each longitudinal block are arched proximate the ceiling.

3. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 1, wherein the openings of the first elbow block are arched proximate the ceiling.Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO4. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 1, wherein the openings of the second elbow block are arched proximate the ceiling.

5. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 1, wherein the protruding portions of each longitudinal block are circumscribed by a shelf.

6. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 1, wherein the recessed portions of each longitudinal block are circumscribed by a lip.

7. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 1, wherein the protruding portions of both the first and second elbow blocks are circumscribed by a shelf.

8. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 1, wherein the recessed portions of both the first and second elbow blocks are circumscribed by a lip.

9. A sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, comprising: one or more longitudinal blocks each having a pair of openings disposed therein and forming a passageway therebetween, one of the openings being recessed therein and the opposite opening protruding therefrom; a first elbow block having a pair of perpendicularly arranged openings disposed therein and forming a passageway therebetween, one of the openings of the first elbow block being recessed therein and the other opening of the first elbow block protruding therefrom; and, a second elbow block having a pair of perpendicularly arranged openings disposed therein and forming a passageway therebetween, each of the openings of the second elbow block being recessed therein, wherein the protruding openings of the blocks are adapted to be at least partially seated within the recessed openings of an adjacently arranged block, thereby fluidly connecting adjacent passageways of the blocks.Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO10. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 9, wherein the passageway of the one or more longitudinal blocks is arched proximate a ceiling of each longitudinal block.

11. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 9, wherein the passageway of first elbow block is arched proximate a ceiling of the first elbow block.

12. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 9, wherein the passageway of the second elbow block is arched proximate a ceiling of the second elbow block.

13. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 9, wherein the openings of each of the one or more longitudinal blocks, the first elbow block, and the second elbow block, are arched proximate a ceiling of each of the blocks.

14. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 9, wherein the protruding opening of the first elbow block is adapted to be partially seated within one of the recessed openings of the second elbow block, thereby fluidly connecting the passageways and forming an approximately 180° passageway between the first and second elbow blocks.

15. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 9, wherein the pair of openings of the longitudinal block are colinear.

16. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 9, wherein: one or more passageways of the one or more longitudinal blocks is tapered, such that: a first opening of the pair of openings of one or more passageways of the one or more longitudinal blocks has a first perimeter; and, a second opening of the pair of openings of one or more passageways of the one or more longitudinal blocks has a second perimeter, wherein the first perimeter is greater than the second perimeter.Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO17. The sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 9, wherein: one or more passageways of one or more of the first and second elbow blocks is tapered, such that: a first opening of the pair of openings of the one or more passageways of one or more of the first and second elbow blocks has a first perimeter; and, a second opening of the pair of openings of the one or more passageways of one or more of the first and second elbow blocks has a second perimeter, wherein the first perimeter is greater than the second perimeter.

18. A modular block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, comprising: a floor, a ceiling, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of open faces, an opening disposed in each of the pair of open faces, the openings defining a passageway therein; one of the open faces having a recessed portion therein and one of the openings disposed within the recessed portion; and, the other of the open faces having either: a second recessed portion therein and the other of the openings disposed within the second recessed portion; or, a protruding portion extending therefrom and the other of the openings disposed within the protruding portion.

19. A longitudinal block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, comprising: the modular block recited in Claim 18 configured with the other of the open faces including the protruding portion extending therefrom and the other of the openings disposed within the protruding portion, the pair of open faces arranged perpendicular to the pair of sidewalls.

20. An elbow block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, comprising: the modular block recited in Claim 18 configured with the other of the open faces including the protruding portion extending therefrom and the other of the openings disposed within the protruding portion, each open face arranged opposite and parallel to one sidewall of the pair of sidewalls.Attorney Docket No. VN CP 121 WO21 . An elbow block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven, comprising: the modular block recited in Claim 18 configured with the second recessed portion therein and the other of the openings disposed within the second recessed portion, each open face arranged opposite and parallel to one sidewall of the pair of sidewalls.

22. The modular block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 18, wherein the passageway is arched proximate the ceiling.

23. The longitudinal block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim 19, wherein the passageway is arched proximate the ceiling.

24. The elbow block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim20, wherein the passageway is arched proximate the ceiling.

25. The elbow block for a sole flue assembly for a non-recovery coke oven recited in Claim21, wherein the passageway is arched proximate the ceiling.

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