PROCESS FOR OPERATING COKE OVEN

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To early recognize the state in the carbonization chamber of a coke oven, namely, the extent of carbon deposition and damage of the oven wall without direct visual observation so as to take appropriate measures. SOLUTION: In pushing the red-hot coke from the carbonization chamber of a coke oven, the pushing resistance loaded on the pushing ram of the pusher is measured, during which time the width of the oven is continuously measured with a pair of non-contact distance meters mounted on the ram, and the position of oven width detection is continuously imaged with an image pickup device. Then, the position of a rise in the pushing resistance is determined according to the wave form of the detected pushing resistance and the data on the oven width. From the image of the position of a rise in the pushing resistance, the cause for the rise is determined to be carbon deposition, wall damage, the property of the fed coal, or the state of carbonization, and whether or not the oven wall requires repair is judged.