Method and apparatus for testing coal coking properties

A container for evaluating the coking properties of coal in a horizontal heat recovery coking oven comprising:

• a bottom member;
• a top member;
• at least one side member extending between the bottom and top members;
• the bottom, top and side members defining an interior chamber that is adapted to contain a test sample of coal and to be positioned inside a horizontal heat recovery coking oven along with a supply of coking coal during the process of reducing into coke at least a portion of the test sample of coal and the supply of coking coal wherein the container is formed at least in part from materials which will not be consumed during the reduction process;
• the container having a plurality of vent apertures that penetrate at least one of the bottom member, top member, or at least one side member of the container;
• the vent apertures being positioned in open communication with the interior chamber and shaped to allow the passage of fluids into, and from within, the interior chamber through the at least one of the bottom member, top member, or at least one side member of the container during the reduction process;
• and
• at least one of the bottom member, top member and at least one side members is selectively moveable to an open position to accommodate the charging of the container with test coke prior to reduction process, moveable to a closed position during the reduction process and moveable to the open position following the reduction process for the recovery of the test coal for evaluation purposes.