Patent ID: 9067851
Filing Date: 2015-06-30
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A hydrocarbon pyrolysis process comprising: a) providing a reverse-flow pyrolysis reactor comprising a heated pyrolysis zone, a mixing zone, a recuperator zone, and an acetylene conversion zone, wherein i) the mixing zone is located between the pyrolysis zone and the recuperator zone, ii) the recuperator zone is located between the mixing zone and the acetylene conversion zone, iii) the acetylene conversion zone has a plurality of process flow conduits, and iv) at least one of the acetylene conversion zone process flow conduits has a hydrogenation catalyst disposed on an interior surface and is open to flow; b) providing a pyrolysis feed comprising hydrocarbon; c) providing a fuel and an oxidant; d) introducing the pyrolysis feed into the pyrolysis zone and pyrolysing the pyrolysis feed in the pyrolysis zone to i) produce a pyrolysis effluent comprising ≧2 mol % acetylene and ii) transfer heat from the pyrolysis zone to the pyrolysis feed and/or the pyrolysis effluent; e) transferring heat from the pyrolysis effluent to the recuperator zone to produce a cooled pyrolysis effluent; f) selectively converting in the acetylene conversion zone at least a portion of the cooled pyrolysis effluent's acetylene to ethylene at a conversion rate of at least 0.4 moles/hour/cc of hydrogenation catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the selective conversion is carried out in the process flow conduits of the acetylene conversion zone; g) conducting away at least a portion of the ethylene; h) discontinuing a flow of the pyrolysis feed: i) introducing the oxidant into the acetylene conversion zone and conducting the oxidant through at least a portion of the process flow conduits of the acetylene conversion zone, transferring heat from the acetylene conversion zone to the oxidant to produce a heated oxidant, and removing at least a portion of any coke or foulant in the process flow conduits; j) conducting the heated oxidant from the acetylene conversion zone through the recuperator zone and transferring heat from the recuperator zone to the heated oxidant to produce a reheated oxidant; k) combusting the fuel and the reheated oxidant in the mixing zone to produce a combustion effluent; l) transferring heat from the combustion effluent to the pyrolysis zone in order to reheat the pyrolysis zone; m) conducting away the combustion effluent; and n) discontinuing the flow of the oxidant into the acetylene conversion zone.