Abstract: An improved delayed coking unit with at least one coke drum wherein said coke drum comprises a substantially closed interior, a top portion having an aperture, an overhead vapor outlet nozzle removably connected to the aperture, and a deflector for deflecting solids and heavy hydrocarbon liquids from exiting said interior of said coke drum through said aperture.

Abstract: An internal draw tray is added to the flash zone of a coker fractionator below the coker vapor inlet to collect condensed coke drum overhead components and to keep the condensed material separate from the fresh feed to the coker furnace.

Abstract: A slide valve for use in a high temperature gas line is described. The valve is constructed to allow field assembly and disassembly for ease of service, and has insulating means and gas purge means for maintaining the exterior of the valve housing at a low temperature. The valve includes a slide plate which can be provided with a flow opening in either a first location such that the slide plate is in tension when the valve is closed while hot or in a second location such that the slide plate is in tension when the valve is opened while hot.

Abstract: A delayed coking process in which the coker furnace feed is free of conventional heavy recycle. Elimination of this material from the coker furnace feed produces, based on fresh feed to the process, increased liquids and decreased coke. Coker furnace feed is initially combined with a diluent hydrocarbon having a lower boiling range than conventional heavy coker recycle and then transferred to the coker furnace. The hydrocarbon diluent is much lower in coke-forming components than the heavy recycle which is normally combined with the fresh feed and fed to the coker furnace.

Abstract: The coke yield from a delayed coker is minimized by substituting a lower boiling range material for a part of the conventional recycle.

Abstract: A vertically disposed gas distributor for injection of combustion air into a shaft kiln. The air distributor extends from the upper portion of the shaft kiln to an intermediate combustion zone, and includes at least one cooling water inlet line and at least one cooling water return line. The cooling water inlet and return lines extend along and adjacent to the outer surface of a central gas conduit. The distributor includes an insulation layer covering the central gas conduit and the cooling water inlet and return lines, and includes a baffle member which directs cooling water from the cooling water inlet line around the outlet end of the gas conduit and to the cooling water return line.

Abstract: A process for producing premium delayed petroleum coke suitable for manufacture of graphite electrodes for use in electric arc steel furnaces. The process requires a fresh feedstock having specific characteristics, and incorporates an internally produced thermal tar as a supplement to the fresh feed. The fresh feedstock is an atmospheric reduced crude petroleum oil having a specified gravity, carbon residue and boiling distribution.