Capacitive Charge-Level Measurement System for Coke Ovens

Coal fill level in coke ovens is very important in the production of coke. On the one hand, a well-charged oven is key to the efficiency of the process. On the other hand, undercharged Coke ovens may result in a massive loss in the quantity of Coke produced. There is no common method to measure the filling level of ovens in coke plants rather than the visual inspection or just assuming that the volume of coal in the charging cars will be just what is needed for the process. As a result, this often results in undercharged ovens. This paper presents a system based on a wireless capacitive sensor, which is able to withstand the high temperatures of an oven, usually above 600°C, and measure the coal fill level of the full length of the oven. It also shows some outcomes that were collected in various Coke plants worldwide.