Monolith Coke Oven Components for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional horizontal heat recovery coke ovens face challenges in reducing production capacity below designed levels without damaging the oven structure, due to temperature limitations of silica brick materials, which leads to continuous operation and difficulty in maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The use of monolith components with thermally-volume-stable materials for the crown, sidewalls, and floor, allowing the oven to be turned down below traditionally feasible temperatures while maintaining structural integrity, as these components expand and contract as a single structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional silica brick materials are used for the oven structure, then the oven can maintain structural integrity at high temperatures, but the oven cannot be shut down or operated at reduced capacity below designed levels without risking structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from traditional silica brick materials to monolith components made of thermally-volume-stable materials. This material parameter change enables the oven structure to maintain its dimensional stability at lower temperatures, allowing the oven to be shut down or operated at reduced capacity without risking structural collapse or damage.
2Reliability
If the oven operates continuously to maintain structural integrity, then the structure remains stable, but energy consumption increases and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in material properties by employing thermally-volume-stable monolith components that maintain their structural dimensions across a wider temperature range. This eliminates the need for continuous high-temperature operation to preserve structural stability, thereby reducing energy consumption and enabling easier maintenance during periods of low demand.
3Adaptability or versatility
If monolith components with thermally-volume-stable materials are used, then the oven can be shut down or operated at reduced capacity without collapsing, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the oven structure into separate monolith components (crown, sidewalls, floor) that can be manufactured independently using precast techniques. This modular approach, while introducing manufacturing complexity, enables operational flexibility by allowing the oven to be shut down or operated at reduced capacity without compromising structural integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the horizontal heat recovery coke oven to be shut down or operated at reduced capacity without collapsing, facilitating maintenance and reducing energy consumption during periods of low demand.
Implementation Method 1
these components expand and contract as a single structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology is generally directed to horizontal heat recovery and non-heat recovery coke ovens having monolith components. In some embodiments, an HHR coke oven includes a monolith component that spans the width of the oven between opposing oven sidewalls. The monolith expands upon heating and contracts upon cooling as a single structure. In further embodiments, the monolith component comprises a thermally-volume-stable material. The monolith component may be a crown, a wall, a floor, a sole flue or combination of some or all of the oven components to create a monolith structure. In further embodiments, the component is formed as several monolith segments spanning between supports such as oven sidewalls. The monolith component and thermally-volume-stable features can be used in combination or alone. These designs can allow the oven to be turned down below traditionally feasible temperatures while maintaining the structural integrity of the oven.