Abstract: Processes for production of olefins from hydrocarbon feedstocks are provided. In one aspect, the processes of the present invention utilize coils passing through a pyrolysis furnace to partially convert a hydrocarbon feedstock to olefins, followed by further conversion of the hydrocarbon feedstock in an adiabatic reactor. A portion of the coils in the pyrolysis furnace carry the hydrocarbon feedstock and the remainder carry steam only. After a selected period of time, the material flowing through the coils is switched. By flowing steam through the coils that had previously contained the hydrocarbon feedstock, on-line decoking can occur. In another aspect, a high temperature reactor is used to convert methane or natural gas to olefins.

Abstract: A method for selecting a solvent or mixture of solvents useful for mitigating deposit formation, cleaning existing deposits, and/or decreasing the rate of deposit formation is disclosed. Decreasing the rate at which deposits may form and/or increasing the rate at which deposits may be removed can dramatically improve process economics (e.g., decreasing down time as a result of deposit formation). In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a process for dispersing foulants in a hydrocarbon stream, including the steps of: determining a nature of foulants in a hydrocarbon stream; selecting a solvent or a mixture of solvents suitable to disperse the foulants based upon the determined nature; and contacting the foulants with the selected solvent or mixture of solvents.

Abstract: Randomly packing with filler material at least part of a pass in a coil used in a system for pyrolyzing hydrocarbon feedstock to lighter hydrocarbons. Randomly packing increases heat transfer and decreases the rate of coke build-up within the coil, yielding an improvement in overall system efficiency. Packing material can comprise or be treated with a suitable catalyst for increasing the rate of chemical decomposition, thus further improving system efficiency.

Abstract: A method for selecting a solvent or mixture of solvents useful for mitigating deposit formation, cleaning existing deposits, and/or decreasing the rate of deposit formation is disclosed. Decreasing the rate at which deposits may form and/or increasing the rate at which deposits may be removed can dramatically improve process economics (e.g., decreasing down time as a result of deposit formation). In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a process for dispersing foulants in a hydrocarbon stream, including the steps of: determining a nature of foulants in a hydrocarbon stream; selecting a solvent or a mixture of solvents suitable to disperse the foulants based upon the determined nature; and contacting the foulants with the selected solvent or mixture of solvents.

Abstract: Processes for production of olefins from hydrocarbon feedstocks are provided. In one aspect, the processes of the present invention utilize coils passing through a pyrolysis furnace to partially convert a hydrocarbon feedstock to olefins, followed by further conversion of the hydrocarbon feedstock in an adiabatic reactor. A portion of the coils in the pyrolysis furnace carry the hydrocarbon feedstock and the remainder carry steam only. After a selected period of time, the material flowing through the coils is switched. By flowing steam through the coils that had previously contained the hydrocarbon feedstock, on-line decoking can occur. In another aspect, a high temperature reactor is used to convert methane or natural gas to olefins.

Abstract: Randomly packing with filler material at least part of a pass in a coil used in a system for pyrolyzing hydrocarbon feedstock to lighter hydrocarbons. Randomly packing increases heat transfer and decreases the rate of coke build-up within the coil, yielding an improvement in overall system efficiency. Packing material can comprise or be treated with a suitable catalyst for increasing the rate of chemical decomposition, thus further improving system efficiency.

Abstract: A quench cooler or transferline heat exchanger for quenching the effluent from a thermal cracking furnace has an inlet connector between the cracking furnace tubes and the tubes of the quench cooler. The tubes of the quench cooler are arranged in a circular pattern of spaced tubes. The flow passage of the connector is configured to initially decelerate and then re-accelerate the gas. This involves a conical diverging diffuser followed by a radial diffuser and then an annular converging section. The cross sectional transitions are smooth to avoid dead spaces and minimize pressure loss.