Vol 62, No 2 (2019)

This paper reports experience in hot lining repair of coke battery 5 at PAO Koks. The 41.6-m³ ovens in the coke battery are maintained in working condition by relining the heating walls, by preventive repairs, and by regulation of battery operation.

Mathematical analysis of experimental data regarding the quality of coal and coal concentrates and the yield of coking products provides the basis for neural-network models capable of predicting product yields. Such predictions will ultimately be used to optimize coking batches in production conditions.

A small-scale production technology for benzene, toluene, xylenes, thiophene, saturated hydrocarbons, polymers, thiourea, and ammonium thiocyanate has been developed. The technology consists of three stages: 1) thermal polymerization of unsaturated compounds with simultaneous extraction of hydrogen sulfide from SB-1 crude benzene by ammonia and rectification to produce a benzene fraction, toluene, and a xylene blend; 2) removal of carbon disulfide and saturated compounds from the benzene fraction by adsorption; 3) removal of thiophene and unsaturated compounds from the benzene fraction by adsorption, to meet the standards of benzene for use in synthesis. In the first purification stage, ammonia produced in house at PAO Koks is employed. No wastes are formed in processing the crude benzene.

Research on the production and properties of coal pitch is conducted in the laboratory at PAO Koks. One topic of interest is the distillation of coal tar to produce a broad tar and pitch fraction, whose quality is analyzed. It is possible to regulate the characteristics of pitch: its ash content and content of components insoluble in toluene (the α fraction) and components insoluble in quinoline (the α₁ fraction).

Approaches to optimizing the consumption of materials and energy in the capture of phenolic hydrocarbons are considered.

Storage components based on processed auto tires and coke-plant waste are developed and investigated. Their performance is compared. By economic and engineering assessment, the materials that are most effective for use in such storage units are identified.

Measures to decrease the environmental impact of coke production in compliance with European and Russian standards are described. The introduction of best available technologies in accordance with industry guidelines is described.