Abstract: A process and apparatus for determining the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of the liquid fraction of a pyrolysis product by determining the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of the pyrolysis product gas fraction and subtracting the thus determined value from the determined hydrogen-to-carbon of the hydrocarbon feed to the pyrolysis furnace. The determined value for the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of the liquid fraction is used as a measure of cracking severity and in the control of the pyrolysis furnace in response to differences between the desired and actual hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of the liquid fraction.

Abstract: A method of processing electric arc furnace dust includes the steps of preheating a portion of electric arc furnace dust to a temperature of at least 170 degrees centigrade by convection heating to form a preheated dust. The preheated dust is further heated by microwaves until a zinc in the preheat dust vaporizes to form a metal vapor and a residue. The metal vapor is then condensed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pyrolysis tube for enhancing the yield of olefins and reducing a coking tendency in steam cracking of hydrocarbons. According to the present invention, the pyrolysis tube is characterized in that a plurality of mixing blades made by twisting two ends of a plate in opposite directions are included therein. The yield of ethylene is thereby improved and the coking tendency is reduced by mixing a fluid flow, improving a heat transfer rate and shortening a residence time of the reactants therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the source of fouling in petroleum thermal conversion process units. More particularly, the invention distinguishes whether fouling occurs due to feed entrainment of small feed droplets or vapor phase condensation.

Abstract: A thermal cracking process using tubes, pipes, and coils made of. An outermost surface covering not less than 55% of stainless steel, said surface having a thickness from 0.1 to 15 microns and being a spinel of the formula MnxCr3-xO4 wherein x is from 0.5 to 2 is not prone to coking and is suitable for hydrocarbyl reactions such as furnace tubes for cracking.

Abstract: A process for feeding or cracking heavy hydrocarbon feedstock containing non-volatile hydrocarbons comprising: heating the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, mixing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, and varying the amount of the fluid and/or the primary dilution steam stream mixed with the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock in accordance with at least one selected operating parameter of the process, such as the temperature of the flash stream before entering the flash drum.

Abstract: A process to increase the non-volatile removal efficiency in a flash drum in the steam cracking system. The gas flow from the convection section is converted from mist flow to annular flow before entering the flash drum to increase the removal efficiency. The conversion of gas flow from mist flow to annular flow is accomplished by subjecting the gas flow first to at least one expander and then to bends of various degrees and force the flow to change directions at least once. The change of gas flow from mist to annular helps coalesce fine liquid droplets and thus being removed from the vapor phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a bottom cover on a coke drum. A support structure supports at least the coke drum. A vertical actuator has a cover end attached to the bottom cover and a support end attached to the support structure, and is arranged to move the bottom cover vertically in a removal operation of the bottom cover. A rotating actuator has a cover end attached to the bottom cover and a support end attached to the support structure, and is arranged to rotate the bottom cover in a removal operation. A frame assembly having opposing ends is provided, a pivoting end being attached to the bottom cover and a sliding end being slidably mounted. The frame assembly, the vertical actuator and the rotating actuator cooperate to remove the bottom cover in a removal operation.

Abstract: A system for refining hydrocarbon containing materials in a continuous coking mode may provide a pyrolyzer (1) which may be inclined to effect a liquid seal between a liquid conduction environment (6) and a gaseous conduction environment (7). A heat source (9) may heat the material past the coking point and the system may include a screw or auger (10) which can continuously remove the coke while simultaneously outputting refined products.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for removing particulate material from a flash zone gas oil stream produced in a delayed coking unit. The process and apparatus of the invention employ cyclonic separation to remove particulate material from the flash zone gas oil stream. The stream can then be further processed, for example by passing the stream to a fixed bed catalytic hydroprocessing unit and then to a fluidized bed catalytic cracking unit, or to other processing units, thereby enhancing the value of the flash zone gas oil stream.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of inhibiting fouling of heat transfer surfaces in contact with petroleum or hydrocarbon feedstocks comprising contacting the heat-transfer surfaces with an effective amount of a thermally-treated phosphorous-sulfur compound and to methods and apparatus for preparing and contacting the thermally-treated phosphorous-sulfur compounds with the heat transfer surfaces.

Abstract: Tubes within a radiant heating section of a coking furnace are arranged differently than in a single vertical column and connected together in a simple, planar serpentine pattern. The tubes are arranged in a plurality of offset or staggered vertical columns. This arrangement permits the upper tubes to be close to the radiant heat source and allows the tube bends connecting adjacent tubes to be of greater radius, so that the pressure at which the feedstock is passed through the tube bundle can be lower allowing more vaporization of the cracked process fluids.

Abstract: A composite surface having a thickness from 10 to 5,000 microns comprising a spinel of the formula MnxCr3-xO4 wherein x is from 0.5 to 2 and oxides of Mn, Si selected from the group consisting of MnO, MnSiO3, Mn2SiO4 and mixtures thereof which are not prone to coking and are suitable for hydrocarbyl reactions such as furnace tubes for cracking.

Abstract: A cracking tube includes a lining of a fouling resistant and corrosion resistant iron aluminide alloy. The iron aluminide alloy can include 14-32 wt. % Al, at least 2 vol. % transition metal oxides, 0.003 to 0.020 wt. % B, 0.2 to 2.0 wt. % Mo, 0.05 to 1.0 wt. % Zr, 0.2 to 2.0 wt. % Ti, 0.10 to 1.0 wt. % La, 0.05 to 0.2 wt. % C., balance Fe, and optionally ≦1 wt. % Cr, and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the iron aluminide alloy is substantially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion over the temperature range of ambient to about 1200° C. of an outer metal layer. A cracking tube utilizing the iron aluminide alloy can be formed from powders of the iron aluminide alloy by consolidation methods including cold isostatic pressing (CIP), hot isostatic pressing (HIP), reaction synthesis, spraying techniques, or co-extrusion with a second material of the cracking tube.

Abstract: A continuous process to separate colour bodies and/or asphalthenic contaminants from a hydrocarbon mixture by passing part of the hydrocarbon mixture through a membrane over which membrane a pressure difference is maintained thereby obtaining a hydrocarbon permeate having a reduced content of colour bodies and/or contaminants, wherein at regular time intervals the pressure difference over the membrane is substantially lowered.

Abstract: An austenitic stainless steel with a composition comprising: at most 0.15% of C; 2% to 10% of Mn; at most 2% of Ni; at most 4% of Cu; 0.1% to 0.4% of N; 10% to 20% of Cr; at most 1% of Si; at most 3% of Mo; and at most 0.7% of Ti; is used to manufacture equipment, for example furnaces, reactors or ducts, or elements of this equipment, or to coat the internal walls of this equipment, said equipment being used to implement petrochemical processes conducted at temperatures of 350° C. to 1100° C. and in which coke can be formed.

Abstract: A method of separating the oil slurry with the crude oil, which is first to put the oil slurry containing the crude oil into the cracking furnace to heat to 400-700 degree wherein there remains the pressure value of 3 kg inside said cracking furnace such that the crude oil contained by said oil slurry is cracked into gas status; next, cool the oil gas in step 1 and cool it such that the oil gas after being cooled forms the gas and the light crude oil; next guide the gas in step 2 into the gas tank and to guide the light crude oil into the crude oil tank for the usage as the chemical intermediate or to be distillated into the gas oil, the diesel oil or the fuel oil. Besides, the plastic junk could be put into the cracking furnace to high-temperature cracking with the oil slurry as the fuel of indirect heating the cracking furnace to increase the yield of the light crude oil.

Abstract: The invention consists of an application of radiant burners to furnaces for heat treatment of hydrocarbon feedstocks in which the feedstock that is to be treated circulates inside an exchange tube bundle that receives the heat that is emitted by the burners essentially by radiation and for which a strict monitoring of the temperature profile along the exchange bundle is necessary. Applied to steam-cracking furnaces, the invention makes it possible to increase the propylene yield to iso ethylene yield. It also makes it possible to increase the compactness of the furnace and the longevity of the exchange bundle and to reduce the NOx emissions.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of lower olefins by a thermal cracking process, a process for the preparation of a synthetic hydrocarbon feedstock for such a process, and a composition of a high performance feedstock usable in said process.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for cracking a hydrocarbon feedstock into olefinic hydrocarbon products in a furnace at a temperature of above about 1300° F. in a reactor furnace tube comprising a plurality of reaction lines constructed of a temperature-resistant, non-nickel containing material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for determining the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of the liquid fraction of a pyrolysis product by determining the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of the pyrolysis product gas fraction and subtracting the thus determined value from the determined hydrogen-to-carbon of the hydrocarbon feed to the pyrolysis furnace. The determined value for the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of the liquid fraction is used as a measure of cracking severity and in the control of the pyrolysis furnace in response to differences between the desired and actual hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of the liquid fraction.

Abstract: A fired heater is adapted for increasing the output of a plant where the furnace capacity is considerably improved without corresponding increase in the pressure drop. The described technique utilizes a parallel thermal path in contrast to the conventional series thermal path for heating a hydrocarbon fluid. The fluid is divided into at least two paths where the fluid in the first path is heated primarily by radiation heat transfer mechanism and the fluid in the second path is heated primarily by convection heat transfer mechanism. The at least two fluid streams may then be combined to continue with other desired processing of the fluid.

Abstract: A process for producing olefins and diolefins. A flow of gas is compressed with a prime mover in a near adiabatic path. Resistance to the flow within the adiabatic path causes a temperature rise with respect to its pressure, where it enters a near adiabatic tunnel. At least one other gas is provided into the tunnel at a prescribed, independently controlled temperature and pressure. The compressed flow is comingled and mixed with at least one other gas. Hydrogen and oxygen are fed into the tunnel to produce steam. Steam is applied to at least one hydrocarbon for pyrolysis or thermal cracking to yield at least one of olefins and diolefins.

Abstract: A process for feeding or cracking heavy hydrocarbon feedstock containing non-volatile hydrocarbons comprising: heating the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, mixing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, and varying the amount of the fluid and/or the primary dilution steam stream mixed with the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock in accordance with at least one selected operating parameter of the process, such as the temperature of the flash stream before entering the flash drum.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon cracking process and apparatus for recovering ethylene from hydrocarbon raw material streams. More particularly, the hydrocarbon cracking process and apparatus of this invention utilizes a furnace with a convection section and a radiant section in which the hydrocarbon feedstream is cracked by heating it to a particular temperature and then is self-quenched.

Abstract: A crude oil feedstock or crude oil fractions containing pitch feedstock is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis furnace.

Abstract: An improved heavy oil conversion process is disclosed in which the heavy oil feed is first thermally cracked using visbreaking or hydrovisbreaking technology to produce a product that is lower in molecular weight and boiling point than the feed. The product is then deasphalted using an alkane solvent at a solvent to feed ratio of less than 2 wherein separation of solvent and deasphalted oil from the asphaltenes is achieved through the use of a two-stage membrane separation system in which the second stage is a centrifugal membrane.

Abstract: A two-step method and apparatus for controlling cracking severity in the effluent from a cracking furnace such as an ethylene cracker. The method includes two steps. The first step consists of determining the near infrared spectrum of effluent in-line. The second step consists of changing the temperature and/or residence time of the furnace according to the determination of the first step. The apparatus includes a light source mounted on a conduit for the effluent, a light detector mounted on the opposite side of the conduit from the light source to receive light emitted from the light source, means for sheltering the light source from the effluent, means for sheltering the lights detector from the effluent, means for flowing a fluid past the light source at a higher pressure than the pressure of the effluent; and means for flowing a fluid past the light detector at a higher pressure than the pressure of the effluent.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the tubes within a radiant heating section of a coking furnace can be advantageously arranged differently than in a single vertical column and connected together in a simple, planar serpentine pattern. By arranging the tubes in a plurality of offset or staggered vertical columns, the same number of tubes can be contained in a shorter vertical space with savings in the size of the coking furnace. This arrangement permits the upper tubes to be closer to the radiant heat source thus making the heating of the feedstock more efficient, and also allows the tube bends connecting adjacent tubes to be of greater radius, meaning that the pressure at which the feedstock is passed through the tube bundle can be lower allowing more vaporization of the cracked process fluids. The tendency for coke to deposit on the interior walls of the tubes is reduced, increasing operational availability and lowering maintenance costs for cleaning out the tubes.

Abstract: A pyrolysis heater particularly for the cracking of hydrocarbons in the production of olefins has a burner arrangement in the firebox which directly heats the hearth of the firebox such that it becomes a radiant surface. This improves the heat flux in the lower portion of the firebox and produces a more uniform vertical heat flux profile over the firebox elevation. The base burners may fire horizontally across the hearth or may comprise porous ceramic burners as a part of the hearth. The base burners operate along with vertically firing hearth burners and optional wall burners in the upper portion of the firebox.

Abstract: A method for lowering the cloud/pour point of a waxy crude oil in locations where size and/or weight of the facility may need to be limited (i.e. arctic zones and offshore). The major components of the system comprise a fractionation/quench tower and a reaction furnace. The furnace has sufficient heat input to initiate thermal cracking of wax and the fractionation tower is operated at a temperature sufficient to flash off light hydrocarbons but also low enough to quench thermal cracking reaction. The feed to the furnace comprises a portion of the bottoms stream from the tower and the furnace output is fed back into the tower bottom to be quenched.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon gas to be decomposed, optionally mixed with water vapor, is allowed to flow through the gap between various porous tubes 4 constituting a group of porous tubes provided extending vertically in a decomposition reaction column 1 while air or oxygen is jetted homogeneously from the interior to the exterior of the porous tubes in the direction perpendicular to the stream of the hydrocarbon gas to be decomposed, optionally mixed with water vapor. The mixture is then ignited to form a diffusion flame layer B on the outer surface of the porous tubes 4. With the diffusion flame layer as a heat source, the hydrocarbon gas to be decomposed, optionally mixed with water vapor, undergoes pyrolysis.

Abstract: A method for lowering the cloud/pour point of a waxy crude oil in locations where size and/or weight of the facility may need to be limited (i.e. arctic zones and offshore). The major components of the system comprise a fractionation/quench tower and a reaction furnace. The furnace has sufficient heat input to initiate thermal cracking of wax and the fractionation tower is operated at a temperature sufficient to flash off light hydrocarbons but also low enough to quench thermal cracking reaction. The feed to the furnace comprises a portion of the bottoms stream from the tower and the furnace output is fed back into the tower bottom to be quenched.

Abstract: The invention is a process for making anode grade coke which comprises solvent deasphalting a residue feedstock to obtain an essentially asphaltene-free, resin-containing stream and coking the resin-containing stream in a delayed coker to make anode coke. The solvent deasphalting can make a deasphalted oil stream containing resin or separate deasphalted oil and resin streams. There can be hydrotreating of (1) a minor portion of the residue feedstock wherein the hydrotreated residue is fed to the delayed coker with the resin-containing stream, (2) the resin-containing stream wherein the hydrotreated resin stream is fed to the delayed coker, or (3) a major portion of the residue feedstock wherein the hydrotreated residue is fed to the solvent deasphalting unit.

Abstract: A continuous pyrolysis and decoking process and apparatus is described for the production of acetylenic compounds, in which hydrocarbons and steam are circulated in at least one tube (31) of a steam cracking reactor (30) and steam is circulated in at least one tube (32) of that reactor. The hydrocarbon effluent and steam then circulate in at least one row (1) of a pyrolysis reactor (40) and the decoking effluent comprising steam circulate in at least one other row (2) of that reactor (4) to effect decoking. A set of valves V1, V2, V11, V12 is used to alternate the pyrolysis step path and the decoking step path. The temperature in the steam cracking furnaces is lower than that in the pyrolysis reactor.

Abstract: A coke drum head is hinged to a coke drum body using a compound joint such as a trammel pivot, and the head is moved between open and closed positions using an actuator. In moving between open and closed positions, the head traces out a non-circular path which reduces the required headroom relative to a head using a standard pivot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoking and suppressing coke formation during pyrolysis has been discovered that does not require complete shut down of the pyrolysis furnace. For the decoking step, the hydrocarbon feed is cut off to one or more coils for usually less than about three hours during which a decoking additive is added to the steam flow in that coil. This additive is comprised of an aqueous solution of a group IA metal salt and a group IIA metal salt and catalyzes the coke removal. The hydrocarbon feed continues in the other coils during this procedure. After decoking, a suppression additive also comprising group IA and IIA metals is added to the steam and hydrocarbon feed. This suppression additive will melt onto the inner surfaces of the pyrolysis furnace coils, coating the coils with a glass layer which inhibits coke formation.

Abstract: A premium “fuel-grade” petroleum coke is produced by modifying petroleum coking technology. Coking process parameters are controlled to consistently produce petroleum coke within a predetermined range for volatile combustible material (VCM) content. The invention includes a process of producing a coke fuel, the method comprising steps: (a) obtaining a coke precursor material derived from crude oil and having a volatile organic component; and (b) subjecting the coke precursor material to a thermal cracking process for sufficient time and at sufficient temperature and under sufficient pressure so as to produce a coke product having a volatile combustible material (VCM) present in an amount in the range of from about 13% to about 50% by weight. Most preferably, the volatile combustible material in the coke product typically may be in the range of from about 15% to about 30% by weight.

Abstract: A process for the production of aromatic hydrocarbons. The process involves heating gas oil while under pressure, and maintaining the gas oil at temperature and pressure to break the substantially aliphatic chains from the gas oil core structure of two or more aromatic rings, as well as to break the aliphatic chains to smaller molecules. The process yields products which include lighter aliphatic material, as well as aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process and apparatus for the reclaiming and re-refining of waste oils. The process comprises raising a temperature of a feed mixture of fresh waste oil and a recycled non-volatile residue to a range of 400.degree. C. to 490.degree. C. for a time sufficient to cause pyrolysis of said heavy hydrocarbons contained in the feed mixture, but insufficient to permit substantial undesired polymerization, oxidation and dehydrogenation reactions to take place in said feed mixture; cooling the resulting pyrolyzed waste oil mixture to a temperature in the range of 300.degree. C. to 425.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the pyrolysis of hydrocarbons in a reactor with at least two rows which are parallel to each other in which at least one row is supplied with a non hydrocarbon fluid containing steam to decoke the reaction zone at least in part. At least one other row is supplied with a gaseous mixture containing at least one hydrocarbon and water, to pyrolyze said mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of petroleum coke for the manufacture of carbonaceous anodes for the aluminum smelting industry. The inclusion of Group 4 and/or Group 13 metal compounds as additives to the petroleum coker feedstock diminish the oxidizing tendencies of the metal impurities inherent in the petroleum coke.

Abstract: The invention provides a practical and efficient method and apparatus for thermally processing organic based raw materials of either primary or secondary (recycled) origin, in order to extract volatile organic vapors and to selectively produce either condensable hydrocarbon gases or, more preferably, non-condensable synthesis gases that are rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide for use as a raw material in chemical processes, or as a fuel. In particular, the invention provides a single rotary reactor having two contiguous hearth reaction areas, i.e., a drying and volatizing area and a reformation area, the areas being separated from each other by a bed-retaining refractory weir. The weir has an aperture for fluidly connecting the two hearth reaction areas of the single reactor.

Abstract: The viscosity of hydrocarbon feeds in reduced from crudes or crude by thermal treatment.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing coke deposition in a pyrolysis furnace which comprises treating the pyrolysis furnace with a combination of sulfur- and phosphorus-containing compounds having a total sulfur to phosphorus atomic ratio of at least 5.

Abstract: A method is described for making a high purity coke fuel or anode grade coke from a heavy petroleum residuum by contacting a molten anhydrous alkali metal hydroxide with the heavy petroleum residuum at a temperature and for a time sufficient to extract substantially all sulfur and heavy metals contained in the petroleum residuum to the alkali metal hydroxide and recovering the coke product.

Abstract: An improved method for cracking a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising passing the feedstock through furnace tubes at high temperatures. The improvement comprises tubes comprised of a nickel-cobalt alloy containing: nickel; 27.0-33.0 weight percent cobalt; 26.0-30.0 weight percent chromium; 2.4-3.0 weight percent silicon; 0.20-0.80 weight percent titanium; not more than 3.5 weight percent iron; not more than 1.5 weight percent manganese; not more than 1.0 weight percent columbium; not more than 1.0 weight percent molybdenum; not more than 1.0 weight percent tungsten; not more than 0.15 weight percent carbon; not more than 0.030 weight percent phosphorus; and not more than 0.015 weight percent sulfur. The improvement results in lower coking rates inside the furnace tubes, thus enhancing furnace efficiency and tube life.

Abstract: A heat exchange surface in reactors and/or heat exchangers of installations for the conversion of hydrocarbons and other organic compounds at high temperatures in the gaseous phase. According to the invention, the metallic surfaces coming into contact with the organic substances are treated at a temperature of 300 to 1000.degree. C. over a period of 0.5 to 12 hours with a mixture of a silicon- and sulfur-containing product and a dry gas flow which is inert with respect to the silicon- and sulfur-containing product. The invention is further directed to a process for producing a catalytically inactivated metallic surface in chemical reactors and/or heat exchangers.

Abstract: The cycle time for a delayed coker unit is reduced by externally heating the coke drum near the junction of the drum shell and the supporting skirt thereof prior to beginning the hot coker feed fill step. This reduces the thermal stresses at the area around the welds of the drum skirt.

Abstract: Light olefins are produced from a hydrocarbon feedstock by a steam pyrolysis reaction in the presence of small quantities of essentially pure oxygen and selected catalytic solids to enhance the steam pyrolysis reaction, to promote the combustion of hydrogen to water and to minimize the formation of carbon oxides. The catalysts are characterized by low surface area, by non-alumina supports and by the catalytic oxides of the group IVB, VB and VIB transition metals.