Engineering improvement of ventilation and dust removal system at coke-pushing and coke-blocking worksites in a coking plant

Objective The engineering improvement of ventilation and dust removal system at the coke-pushing and coke-blocking worksites in a coking plant was carried out and the effectiveness of such control measures against the hazards was evaluated.

Methods The cause of low-efficiency of previous ventilation and dust removal system at the coke-pushing and coke-blocking worksites was assessed and new control system was introduced and then the effectiveness was evaluated by the field survey and detection of occupational hazards.

Results The coke oven outfit process was controlled by automatic system and the ventilation and dust removal system at the coke-pushing and coke-blocking worksites ran systematically according to the command by the microcomputer system. Field test results showed that concentrations of both coke dust and coke oven emission (as benzene soluble matter) at the coke-pushing and coke-blocking worksites were lower than values of the national occupational exposure limits and were significantly decreased compared with previous data (P < 0.01). The purification efficiency reached as high as 97% and the working environment of coke-side operating area was significantly improved.

Conclusion The ventilation and dust removal at the coke-pushing and coke-blocking worksites was effective and feasible, and it can reduce the exposure levels of occupational hazards.