(134c) Factors Impacting Level of Carbon Oxides from Use of Anti-coking Catalyst for Steam Cracking of Hydrocarbons (YieldUp*)

Build-up of coke deposits in ethylene cracker furnace tubes is a problem that affects the reliability and productivity of ethylene plants worldwide. These deposits cause flow restrictions and pressure differential through the tubes, leading to maintenance downtime, shorter run-lengths and lost production. Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions (VWTS) has developed and patented the YieldUp anti-coking catalyst technology to assist ethylene producers in reducing the impacts of coke build-up, increasing furnace run-length two- to three-fold, as successfully demonstrated from full-scale field experience. This technology also offers potential to achieve higher conversion due to further improvement in anti-coking tendency at higher temperatures. YieldUp anti-coking catalyst works by gasifying coke upon contact, leading to the generation of higher levels of carbon oxides. This paper discusses the differences in level of carbon oxides generated from typical lab jet-stirred reactor, pilot-scale furnace, full-scale furnace computer simulation, and full-scale field trial.

*Trademark of Veolia; may be registered in one or more countries.