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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Steam cracking feed gas saturation

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6572437

This patent describes a method of controlling the dilution steam for steam cracking gaseous hydrocarbons. It comprises: circulating water upwardly through a tubular saturating zone and heating the water therein at a variably controlled rate by indirect heat exchange with a heating fluid; injecting a gaseous hydrocarbon feed into a lower, flooded portion of the tubular saturating zone in concurrent flow with the circulating water; recovering a two phase, equilibrium mixture comprised of water and water-saturated hydrocarbon feed from the tubular saturation zone; introducing the two phase, equilibrium mixture to a separation zone having a static liquid pressure greater than that of the tubular saturation zone; recovering a water stream from the separation zone and recirculating the recovered water stream to the tubular saturating zone; recovering a mixed feed vapor stream of gaseous hydrocarbon fully saturated with water from the separation zone; controlling the rate of indirect heat exchange in the tubular saturation zone by selecting a controlling temperature of the mixed feed vapor stream; and introducing the mixed feed vapor stream to a steam cracking zone.

Assignee:
M.W. Kellogg Co., Houston, TX (USA)
Patent Number(s):
US 4940828; A
Application Number:
PPN: US s 7-420856
OSTI ID:
6572437
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English