Reduced output rate coke oven operation with gas sharing providing extended process cycle

A method of controlling a quantity of coke production in a heat recovery coke oven, the method comprising:

• operating a first coke oven having a first uptake damper fluidly coupled with a common duct, wherein the first coke oven operates on a first coking cycle;
• operating a second coke oven having a second uptake damper fluidly coupled with the common duct, wherein the second coke oven operates on a second coking cycle, the second coking cycle beginning at a time approximately halfway through the first coking cycle;
• and the second coking cycle designed to last less than 72 hours;
• and
• transferring heated gas and volatile matter through the common duct from the first coke oven to the second coke oven, such that the second coking cycle lasts 72 hours or more.

A method of decreasing a rate of coke production, the method comprising:

• pushing a load of coal into a first coke oven, the first coke oven having a maximum designed production rate comprising a ratio of a maximum designed charge weight to a maximum designed coking cycle time;
• operating the first coke oven by initiating the coking cycle;
• while the first coke oven is in operation, pushing a load of coal into a second coke oven proximate to the first coke oven;
• operating the second coke over by initiating the coking cycle;
• directing heated gas from the second coke oven to the first coke oven such that the maximum designed coking cycle time of the first coke oven is extended;
• and
• extracting coke from the first coke oven at a production rate at least 15% below the maximum designed production rate.