(157f) Issues during Startup of Steam Cracker Unit

Indorama Ventures Olefins LLC (IVOL), an indirect subsidiary of Thailand’s Indorama Ventures PCL (IVP), Bangkok, owns and operates what was previously a dormant butane cracker in Westlake, LA. The refurbished cracker is designed to process attractively priced ethane and propane feedstock from US shale to produce ethylene and propylene.

Understanding issues – The reduction of flaring during the startup of a steam cracker is not primarily a cost reduction activity. The primary objective is reduction in emissions. In addition, sometimes there are other important process issues and difficulties which need to be overcome. This paper explores in some detail one such issue; high CO2 concentration in the startup gas, and how that is now routinely circumvented during the startup to prevent contamination of final ethylene product.

Authors:

Michael Lopez – IVOL, Operations Manager

Terry Gordy – IVOL, Gate Keeper/OMC

Holt Lacy – IVOL, Production Specialist

Paul T. Scott – KBR, Chief Technical Advisor