Abstract:
The gradual aging of the coke oven batteries is an inevitable fact, being important to monitor the conditions of the ovens and peripheral structures to maximize its useful life. Paul Wurth has developed a methodology of diagnosis that evaluates the conditions of the main elements that comprise the coke oven plants, among them: structure of refractory masonry, metallic structures and components, analysis of thermal control and pressure regimes, set of movable machines (charging car, locomotive / quenching car, pusher machine, coke guide car). Through visual inspections and gathering process data and information about routine adopted by the preservation team of coke oven plants, procedures and recommendations are elaborated aiming the extension of the useful life of the equipment. The Diagnoses are procedures that help Coke plants teams understand at what situation is the equipment and contribute to the best practices adopted in the market for the prolongation of life. They must be repeated frequently in order to update the situation of Coke batteries, check the effect of actions taken by the team of preservation and propose new recommendations.