Method and apparatus for pyrolytically cracking hydrocarbons

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for pyrolytically cracking a hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is contacted with water prior to cracking. While the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is being contacted with water, both the feedstock and the water are heated by indirect heat exchange with at least one process stream containing waste heat. Consequently, a portion of the water vaporizes and combines with the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is subsequently cracked in the presence of the vaporized water.

Description: 1. Field of the Invention . The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for pyrolytically cracking hydrocarbons. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for providing diluent steam for hydrocarbon pyrolysis. 2. Description of the Prior Art . Diluent steam is added to a hydrocarbon pyrolysis feedstock prior to the introduction of the feedstock into the cracking section of a pyrolysis furnace. The presence of diluent steam in the pyrolysis furnace lowers the partial pressure of the hydrocarbon feedstock and improves product yields by promoting higher selectivity for the formation of desired olefinic products. One method of diluent steam addition has involved the direct injection of steam into the hydrocarbon feedstock. Another method of diluent steam addition has involved the injection of water into the hydrocarbon feedstock. The water is subsequently vaporized by preheating the water/feedstock mixture in the convection section of the pyrolysis furnace. The European patent application, EP-A-0 235 429, discloses a process for the recovery of low-level heat in steam reforming plants by saturating a hydrocarbon gas feed with process condensate. Process condensate is injected through nozzles into a tubular coil containing multiple streams of the hydrocarbon gas feedstock. The two-phase mixture of hydrocarbon feedstock and process condensate in the tubular coil are subjected to heat transfer from a low-level heat source such as a reformer furnace flue gas or shift reactor effluent. The saturated hydrocarbon gas is separated from excess liquid condensate and delivered to a steam reforming unit and excess liquid condensate is recycled to the process condensate system. In these past methods, the amount of diluent steam addition has been limited by the fuel costs required to generate the diluent steam. The heat required to produce the diluent steam has been provided, for example, by the burning of fuel in a boiler or by the burning of additional fuel in the pyrolysis furnace. The present invention utilizes waste heat to generate diluent steam for a pyrolysis feedstock. Consequently, the present invention reduces diluent steam generation costs. Further, the present invention allows for the economical use of greater quantities of diluent steam in order to achieve improved product yields. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a method for pyrolytically cracking a hydrocarbon vapor feedstock as defined in the claims. In the method of the present invention, the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is contacted with water. As contacting occurs, both the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and the water are heated by indirect heat exchange with at least one process stream which contains waste heat. This contacting and heating causes a portion of the water to vaporize and combine with the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. Unvaporized water is separated from the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and the vaporized water. In the presence of the vaporized water, the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is then cracked in a pyrolysis furnace to produce a furnace effluent stream comprising cracked feedstock and vaporized water. The above mentioned at least one process stream containing waste heat comprises this furnace effluent stream. In a preferred embodiment of the method, a recycle water stream is used for contacting the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. In this embodiment, the furnace effluent stream is quenched with quench water in order to cool the cracked feedstock and the vaporized water and in order to condense at least a portion of the vaporized water. The quench water and the condensed water are separated from the cracked feedstock and from any water which remains vaporized. A portion of the quench water and a portion of the condensed water are then combined with the unvaporized water which was earlier separated from the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. This combined water stream is then utilized for contacting the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. The present invention also provides an apparatus for pyrolytically cracking a hydrocarbon vapor feedstock as defined in the claims. The apparatus of the present invention includes a contacting means for contacting the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock with water. Heat exchanging means, for heating the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and water by indirect heat exchange with at least one process stream containing waste heat, are disposed within the contacting means. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and water are contacted and heated in the contacting means in order to vaporize a portion of the water and combine the vaporized water with the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. The apparatus also includes a pyrolysis furnace for cracking the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock in the presence of the vaporized water. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is cracked in the pyrolysis furnace in order to produce a cracked feedstock. A conduit means is provided for conducting the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and vaporized water from the contacting means to the pyrolysis furnace. A conduit means is also provided for conducting the cracked feedstock and vaporized water from the pyrolysis furnace to the heat exchanging means within the contacting means. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus provides the ability to use recycled water for contacting the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a combined quenching and condensing means for quenching the cracked feedstock and the vaporized water with quench water in order to cool the cracked feedstock and the vaporized water and in order to condense at least a portion of the vaporized water. A second conduit means is provided for conducting the cracked feedstock and vaporized water from the heat exchanging means to the quenching and condensing means. Additionally, means are provided for forming a combined water stream by combining the water remaining unvaporized in the contacting means, a portion of the condensed water, and a portion of the quench water. The preferred embodiment also comprises a third conduit means for conducting the combined water stream to the contacting means where the combined water stream is used to contact the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for pyrolytically cracking a hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. A further object of the present invention is the provision of an economical method and apparatus for generating diluent steam and for adding the diluent steam to a hydrocarbon pyrolysis feedstock. Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying drawings and upon a reading of the description of the preferred embodiments which follows. Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention wherein the furnace effluent stream is utilized for heating the contents of the waste heat utilization vessel. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is illustrated and generally designated by the numeral 10. FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit. A hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is conducted to a feedstock preheating coil 14 by a conduit 12 which is connected thereto. The feedstock preheating coil 14 is located in the convection section 16 of pyrolysis furnace 18. Conduit 12 is connected to a source (not shown) of hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is heated in feedstock preheating coil 14 by hot flue gas which flows through the convection section 16 of pyrolysis furnace 18. The preheated hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is conducted from feedstock preheating coil 14 by conduit 20 which is connected thereto. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is conducted by conduit 20 to a waste heat utilization vessel 24. Conduit 20 is connected to a hydrocarbon vapor feedstock inlet 22 located at the lower portion of waste heat utilization vessel 24. Upon entering waste heat utilization vessel 24, the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock flows toward the top of vessel 24. Water is conducted to waste heat utilization vessel 24 by a conduit 26 which is connected to a water inlet 28 located at the upper portion of vessel 24. Water distributor 30 is connected to water inlet 28 and is disposed within waste heat utilization vessel 24. Water distributor 30 distributes the water within waste heat utilization vessel 24. After distribution by water distributor 30, the water gravitationally falls toward the bottom of waste heat utilization vessel 24. While other types of liquid distributors known in the art would be suitable for distributing water within waste heat utilization vessel 24, FIG. 1 shows water distributor 30 as comprising a set of spray nozzles 32. One or more spray nozzles can be used to achieve sufficient water distribution in waste heat utilization vessel 24. As the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock flows toward the top of waste heat utilization vessel 24, it is contacted with the water which is falling toward the bottom of waste heat utilization vessel 24. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and water also contact, and are heated by, furnace effluent exchanger 34 and waste heat exchanger 36 which are disposed within waste heat utilization vessel 24. Due to the unsaturated nature of the hydrocarbon feedstock, the reduced partial pressure of water existing in waste heat utilization vessel 24, and the heat supplied by furnace effluent exchanger 34 and waste heat exchanger 36, a portion of the water introduced into waste heat utilization vessel 24 vaporizes and combines with the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and vaporized water combined therewith are conducted out of waste heat utilization vessel 24 by conduit 38 which is connected to the top of waste heat utilization vessel 24. The water which is not vaporized in waste heat utilization vessel 24 accumulates at the bottom of vessel 24. Furnace effluent is conducted to the hot side of furnace effluent exchanger 34 by conduit 42 which is connected to the inlet thereof. Exchangers (not shown) can also be disposed within conduit 42 for cooling the furnace effluent stream before the furnace effluent stream arrives at furnace effluent exchanger 34. For example, the furnace effluent stream can be used to generate steam before being used for indirect heat exchange in furnace effluent exchanger 34. As the furnace effluent stream travels through the hot side of furnace effluent exchanger 34, the furnace effluent stream heats the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and water in waste heat utilization vessel 24 by indirect heat exchange. The furnace effluent is conducted out of furnace effluent exchanger 34 by conduit 44 which is connected to the outlet thereof. A process stream containing waste heat is conducted to the hot side of waste heat exchanger 36 by conduit 46 which is connected to the inlet thereof. Conduit 46 is also connected to a source (not shown) from which the process stream containing waste heat is obtained. As the process stream containing waste heat travels through the hot side of waste heat exchanger 36, the process stream containing waste heat heats the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and water in waste heat utilization vessel 24 by indirect heat exchange. The process stream is conducted out of waste heat exchanger 36 by conduit 48 which is connected to the outlet thereof. Conduit 48 conducts the process stream to a process stream return point (not shown). The process stream containing waste heat can come from within the hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit, from a process unit located elsewhere in the plant, or from a utility system. Although it is not required, the waste heat stream will typically have a low temperature so that the heat contained in the stream cannot be more economically recovered elsewhere in the plant. Examples of process streams containing waste heat include a discharge stream from a cracked gas compressor, a discharge stream from a refrigerant compressor, surplus low pressure steam, warm flue gas, process streams going to storage, etc. The amount of water vaporized and combined with the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock in waste heat utilization vessel 24 can be controlled by a conventional temperature controller (not shown). For example, the temperature of the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and water combined therewith flowing through conduit 38 can be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the process stream flowing through the hot side of waste heat exchanger 36. Conduit 38 conducts the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and vaporized water combined therewith from waste heat utilization vessel 24 to pyrolysis furnace 18. Conduit 38 is connected to the inlet of saturated feedstock preheating coil 52. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and vaporized water combined therewith travel through saturated feedstock preheating coil 52 and into the pyrolysis furnace cracking section 54 which is connected to saturated feedstock preheating coil 52. In the preheating coil 52, the feedstock is heated to a temperature just below the feedstock's cracking temperature. In the cracking section 54, the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is cracked in the presence of the vaporized water. The resulting cracked feedstock and vaporized water combined therewith form the furnace effluent stream referred to above. The furnace effluent stream is conducted out of pyrolysis furnace 18 by conduit 42 which is connected to the outlet of cracking section 54. After the furnace effluent stream travels through furnace effluent exchanger 34 and heats the contents of waste heat utilization vessel 24, conduit 44 conducts the furnace effluent stream to quench vessel 58. Conduit 44 is connected to the cracked feedstock inlet 60 of quench vessel 58. Quench water is conducted to quench vessel 58 by conduit 62 which is connected to the quench water inlet 64 located at the upper portion of quench vessel 58. The quench water falls toward the bottom of quench vessel 58 so that the quench water contacts the furnace effluent as the furnace effluent flows toward the top of quench vessel 58. The quench water cools the cracked feedstock and vaporized water and condenses at least a portion of the vaporized water. The quench water and condensed water accumulate in the bottom of quench vessel 58. The cracked feedstock and the vaporized water which is not condensed in quench vessel 58 are conducted out of quench vessel 58 by conduit 66 which is connected to the top of quench vessel 58. Conduit 66 conducts the cracked feedstock and vaporized water to a product recovery system (not shown) where desired products are recovered from the cracked feedstock. The water which accumulates in the bottom of quench vessel 58 is conducted to pump 70 by conduit 68. Conduit 68 is connected to the bottom of quench vessel 58 and to the inlet of pump 70. Conduit 72 is connected to the discharge of pump 70 and to conduits 62 and 74. A conventional flow control apparatus (not shown) is provided to regulate the division of water into conduits 62 and 74. The water directed through conduit 62 is recirculated quench water which is conducted to the quench water inlet 64 of quench vessel 58. Cooling water exchanger 86 is disposed within conduit 62 for cooling the recirculated quench water with cooling water prior to introduction of the recirculated quench water into quench vessel 58. Other exchangers (not shown) can also be disposed within conduit 62 to recover heat from the recirculated quench water. Unvaporized water which accumulates in the bottom of waste heat utilization vessel 24 is conducted to pump 78 by conduit 76. Conduit 76 is connected to the bottom of waste heat utilization vessel 24 and to the inlet of pump 78. The unvaporized water is conducted from pump 78 to conduit 82 by conduit 80. Conduit 80 is connected to the discharge of pump 78 and to conduit 82. Conduit 74 is also connected to conduit 82 so that the quench water and condensed water which was not recirculated to the quench vessel 58 is combined with the unvaporized water from waste heat utilization vessel 24. This combined water stream is conducted to water preheating coil 84, which is located in the convection section 16 of pyrolysis furnace 18, by conduit 82 which is connected to the inlet of water preheating coil 84. The combined water stream is heated in water preheating coil 84 by the hot flue gas that flows through the convection section 16 of pyrolysis furnace 18. The combined water stream is conducted out of the water preheating coil 84 by conduit 26 which is connected to the outlet of water preheating coil 84. Conduit 26 conducts the combined water stream to waste heat utilization vessel 24 where the combined water stream is used for contacting the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. In apparatus 10, a single waste heat exchanger 36 is disposed within waste heat utilization vessel 24 beneath furnace effluent exchanger 34. Although only one waste heat exchanger 36 is shown in apparatus 10, a plurality of waste heat exchangers can be disposed within waste heat utilization vessel 24. Alternatively, the waste heat utilization vessel 24 can contain a furnace effluent exchanger 34 and no waste heat exchangers 36. The exchangers disposed within waste heat utilization vessel 24, including furnace effluent exchanger 34, can be positioned in vessel 24 according to the approach temperatures of the process streams flowing through the hot sides of the exchangers. Preferably, each exchanger is positioned in waste heat utilization vessel 24 above all other exchangers which have a lower process stream approach temperature. Consequently, the exchanger having the highest process stream approach temperature would be located above all of the other exchangers while the exchanger having the lowest process stream approach temperature would be located below all of the other exchangers. Many types of exchanger designs are known in the art and would be suitable for use within waste heat utilization vessel 24. For example, stab-in type heat exchangers with finned tube bundles could be used. If the tube bundles of the stab-in exchangers do not cover the entire cross-section of the waste heat utilization vessel 24, baffles (not shown) can be used to prevent channeling and to direct hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and water flow through the exchangers. Finned exchangers having concentric or spiraling circular tube arrangements can also be used. By covering the entire cross-section of waste heat utilization vessel 24, such a circular arrangement would prevent channeling and would facilitate contact between the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock, the water, and the finned surface of the heat exchanger. As another example, plate-type exchangers might also be used in waste heat utilization vessel 24. Make-up water (not shown) is added to the quench water system to compensate for the water vapor which leaves the system through conduit 66 and to compensate for any quench water blow down (not shown). Quench water is blown down to a sewer (not shown) as needed to prevent the excessive accumulation of contaminants. A separator (not shown) is provided to prevent the build up of green oil and soot in the quench water system. This separator is located in conduit 72. In the operation of the apparatus of the present invention, a hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is preheated in the feedstock preheating coil 14 of pyrolysis furnace 18. The preheated hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is introduced into the lower portion of waste heat utilization vessel 24 so that the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock flows toward the top of waste heat utilization vessel 24. Water is introduced into the upper portion of waste heat utilization vessel 24 and distributed therein so that the water contacts the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock as the water gravitationally falls toward the bottom of waste heat utilization vessel 24. While the water contacts the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock, both the water and the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock are heated by indirect heat exchange with one or more process streams containing waste heat. Examples of process streams containing waste heat which in addition to the furnace effluent stream from the cracking section 54 of pyrolysis furnace 18 could be used for indirect heat exchange include: other process streams from within the hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit; process streams from units located elsewhere in the plant; and streams from utility systems. Indirect heat exchange is accomplished by conducting the waste heat streams through one or more heat exchangers disposed within waste heat utilization vessel 24. Due to the unsaturated nature of the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock, the reduced steam partial pressure existing in waste heat utilization vessel 24, and the heat obtained from indirect heat exchange with the process stream(s) containing waste heat, a portion of the water in waste heat utilization vessel 24 vaporizes and combines with the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. Water which remains unvaporized in waste heat utilization vessel 24 separates from the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and the vaporized water by falling to the bottom of waste heat utilization vessel 24. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and the vaporized water combined therewith are conducted to pyrolysis furnace 18 wherein the combined stream is preheated and the hydrocarbon feedstock is cracked in the presence of the vaporized water. The cracked feedstock and the vaporized water combined therewith form a furnace effluent stream. The furnace effluent stream is quenched with quench water in quench vessel 58 in order to cool the cracked feedstock and the vaporized water and in order to condense at least a portion of the vaporized water. Prior to quenching, however, the furnace effluent stream is used for indirect heat exchange in waste heat utilization vessel 24. Using the furnace effluent stream for indirect heat exchange will allow the use of a smaller quench vessel 58, reduce quench system cooling water requirements, and reduce the amount of furnace effluent heat lost to cooling water. The quench water and the water condensed in the quench vessel 58 separate from the cracked feedstock and the water remaining vaporized in quench vessel 58 by falling to the bottom of quench vessel 58. A portion of the quench water and condensed water accumulating in the bottom of quench vessel 58 is cooled and recirculated to quench vessel 58 as quench water. Another portion of the water accumulating in the bottom of quench vessel 58 is combined with the unvaporized water which has accumulated in the bottom of waste heat utilization vessel 24. This combined water stream is preheated in the water preheating coil 84 of pyrolysis furnace 18. The preheated combined water stream is then conducted to waste heat utilization vessel 24 where it is utilized for contacting the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. Examples of pyrolysis units wherein the apparatus and method of the present invention can be utilized include ethylene units which crack ethane, propane, ethane/propane, butane, or natural gas condensate feedstocks. The following example is provided in order to further illustrate the present invention. EXAMPLE A 123,530 kg/h (272,330 pound per hour) stream of ethane feedstock is preheated to 138°C (280°F) in the feedstock preheating coil 14 of pyrolysis furnace 18. This preheated ethane feedstock stream is introduced into the bottom portion of waste heat utilization vessel 24. Waste heat utilization vessel 24 operates at 60 psia (0.4 MPa). A stream of 59,160 kg/h (130,420 pounds per hour) of quench water and condensed water is taken from the bottom of quench vessel 58 at a temperature of 49°C (120°F). The water from quench vessel 58 is combined with a 45,360 kg/h (100,000 pound per hour) stream of 49°C (120°F) unvaporized water taken from the bottom of waste heat utilization vessel 24. The resulting combined water stream is preheated to 138°C (280°) in the water preheating coil 84 of pyrolysis furnace 18. The preheated combined water stream is then introduced into the upper portion of waste heat utilization vessel 24. As the preheated water falls toward the bottom of waste heat utilization vessel 24, it contacts the preheated ethane feedstock which is flowing toward the top of vessel 24. While the preheated water contacts the preheated ethane feedstock, the water and ethane feedstock are heated by indirect heat exchange with the furnace effluent stream which flows from the cracking section 54 of pyrolysis furnace 18. 127 GJ per hour (120,600,000 BTUs per hour) are transferred from the furnace effluent to the ethane feedstock and water in waste heat utilization vessel 24. Consequently, 59,160 kg/h (130,420 pounds per hour) of water, or O.8. moles of water per mole of ethane feedstock, are vaporized and combined with the ethane feedstock in waste heat utilization vessel 24. The ethane feedstock and vaporized water combined therewith are conducted from waste heat utilization vessel 24 at a temperature of 138°C (280°F). The ethane feedstock and vaporized water combined therewith are conducted to pyrolysis furnace 18 where they are preheated in saturated feedstock preheating coil 52. The ethane feedstock is then cracked in the presence of the vaporized water to form the furnace effluent stream mentioned above. The furnace effluent stream is comprised of the cracked ethane feedstock and the vaporized water. The furnace effluent stream leaves the cracking section 54 of pyrolysis furnace 18 at a temperature of 843°C (1550°F). Before using the furnace effluent stream for indirect heat exchange in the waste heat utilization vessel 24, the furnace effluent is cooled to 177°C (350°) by using the furnace effluent for steam generation. After indirect heat exchange in waste heat utilization vessel 24, the furnace effluent is conducted to quench vessel 58 where the furnace effluent stream is quenched with 38°C (100°F) quench water. The cracked ethane feedstock and the vaporized water which is not condensed in quench vessel 58 are conducted from the top of quench vessel 58 at a temperature of 41°C (105°F). The product yields which are obtained from the cracked ethane feedstock are provided in Table 1. Table 1 also provides the product yields which would be obtained using only 0.3 moles of diluent steam per mole of ethane feedstock. As seen in Table 1, the use of 0.8 moles of diluent steam per mole of ethane feedstock improves the resulting ethylene yield by 2.33%. Yields from Ethane Cracking Based on Diluent Steam Addition Yield Component (wt percent) 0.8 Moles Diluent Steam Per Mole Ethane 0.3 Moles Diluent Steam Per Mole Ethane Hydrogen 4.02 3.91 Methane 4.90 5.62 Carbon Monoxide 0.17 0.08 Carbon Dioxide 0.03 0.01 Acetylene 0.55 0.39 Ethylene 51.28 50.11 Ethane 33.36 33.38 Methylacetylene 0.02 0.02 Propadiene 0.01 0.01 Propylene 1.28 1.53 Propane 0.34 0.32 Butadiane 1.39 1.33 Butylene 0.15 0.18 Butane 0.16 0.19 Pentane plus 2.36 2.92 Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above.

Claims: A method for pyrolytically cracking a hydrocarbon vapor feedstock in a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock with water while heating said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and said water by indirect heat exchange with at least one process stream containing waste heat whereby a portion of said water is vaporized and combined with said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock; (b) separating unvaporized water from said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and said vaporized water; and, (c) cracking said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock in the presence of said vaporized water in a pyrolysis furnace to produce a furnace effluent stream comprised of cracked feedstock and said vaporized water, whereby said at least one process stream containing waste heat of step (a) comprises the furnace effluent stream of step (c). The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (d) quenching said furnace effluent stream after indirect heat exchange with said hydrocarbon feedstock and said water with quench water so that said cracked feedstock and said vaporized water are cooled and at least a portion of said vaporized water is condensed; (e) separating said quench water and said water condensed in step (d) from said cracked feedstock and said vaporized water which remains vaporized in step (d); (f) combining a portion of said quench water and a portion of said water condensed in step (d) with said unvaporized water separated in step (b) to form a combined water stream; and (g) utilizing said combined water stream formed in step (f) for contacting said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock in carrying out step (a). The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of heating said combined water stream formed in step (f) before contacting said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock therewith in step (a). The method of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is contacted with said water in accordance with step (a) in a waste heat utilization vessel containing at least one process stream indirect heat exchanger. The method of claim 4 wherein said at least one process stream containing waste heat further comprises a process stream from a process unit other than said hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of: introducing said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock into the lower portion of said waste heat utilization vessel so that said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock flows toward the top of said waste heat utilization vessel; and introducing said water into the upper portion of said waste heat utilization vessel so that said water contacts said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock in accordance with step (a) as said water gravitationally falls toward the bottom of said waste utilization vessel. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of distributing said water in said waste heat utilization vessel using at least one spray nozzle. An apparatus for pyrolytically cracking a hydrocarbon vapor feedstock, comprising: contacting means (24) for contacting said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock with water; heat exchanging means (34, 36) disposed within said contacting means, for heating said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and said water by indirect heat exchange with at least one process stream containing waste heat in order to vaporize a portion of said water in said contacting means (24) and combine said vaporized water with said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock; a pyrolysis furnace (18) for cracking said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock in the presence of said vaporized water to produce a cracked feedstock; first conduit means (38) for conducting said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock having said vaporized water combined therewith from said contacting means (24) to said pyrolysis furnace (18), and conduit means (42) for conducting said cracked feedstock and said vaporized water from said pyrolysis furnace (18) to said heat exchanging means (34) disposed within said contacting means (24), said cracked feedstock and said vaporized water combined therewith being said at least one process stream containing waste heat used for indirect heat exchange in said contacting means. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: quenching and condensing means (58) for quenching said cracked feedstock and said vaporized water and for condensing at least a portion of said vaporized water using quench water; and second conduit means (44) for conducting said cracked feedstock and said vaporized water from said exchanging means (34) within said contacting means (24) to said quenching and condensing means (58). The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: means (70, 74, 78, 80) for combining a portion of said water condensed by said quenching and condensing means (58), a portion of said quench water, and said water remaining unvaporized in said contacting means (24) to form a combined water stream; and third conduit means (82) for conducting said combined water stream to said contacting means, said combined water stream being said water which contacts said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock in said contacting means (24). The apparatus of claim 9 or 10, wherein the heating of said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock and said water by indirect heat exchange is made with a plurality of process streams containing waste heat. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein one hot fluid side of said heat exchanging means (34) is disposed within said second conduit means (42, 44) so that said cracked feedstock having said vaporized water combined therewith is one of said process streams containing waste heat used for indirect heat exchange in said contacting means (24). The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: feedstock preheating means (14) disposed in said pyrolysis furnace (18) for heating said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock; and conduit means (20) for conducting said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock from said feedstock preheating means (14) to said contacting means (24). The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: water preheating means (84) disposed in said pyrolysis furnace (18) for heating said water which contacts said hydrocarbon vapor feedstock; and conduit means (26) for conducting said water from said water preheating means to said contacting means.

Inventors: SKRABA FRANK W, SKRABA, FRANK W.
Applicants: PHILLIPS PETROLEUM CO, PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY
Application year: 1990
Main classification: C10G9
IPC codes: C10G9