Production from Coke Ovens for Use in Blast Furnaces and Foundry, Ford Rouge Plant, circa 1950

To fuel the Rouge Plant's blast furnaces, Ford purchased several bituminous coal mines. Because bituminous coal was relatively impure, coking ovens were constructed at the Rouge complex within reach of dockside coal bins. The ovens coked the coal, releasing gases and removing impurities. Products of the process included coke for the furnaces, gas, and a number of other useful by-products.