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Method and apparatus for efficient recovery of heat from hot gases that tend to foul heat exchanger tubes

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5105376

In recovering heat from a high temperature cracked hydrocarbon gas, a method is described of injecting a liquid wash into the tubes of a vertically oriented multitube shell-and-tube transfer line heat exchanger (TLE). The TLE comprises more than one heat exchange tube and a top tube sheet to prevent deposition of condensable components and coke which comprises introducing the liquid wash into a plenum chamber adjoining and on top of the shell side of the exchanger and defined by the top tube sheet of the exchanger, a horizontal distributor plate thereabove, an outer wall section of the shell of the exchanger therebetween and the wall portion of the tubes between the top tube sheet and the distributor plate. The distributor plate causes the liquid wash to overflow the plenum chamber through holes in the distributor plate and flow downwardly within the tubes with the cracked gas.

Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Co., Florham Park, NJ
Patent Number(s):
US 4614229
OSTI ID:
5105376
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English