Coke drum outlet overhead deflector plate apparatus and method

Abstract

An improved delayed coking unit with at least one coke drum wherein said coke drum comprises a substantially closed interior, a top portion having an aperture, an overhead vapor outlet nozzle removably connected to the aperture, and a deflector for deflecting solids and heavy hydrocarbon liquids from exiting said interior of said coke drum through said aperture.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A coke drum for a delayed coking unit, wherein said coke drum comprises: 
 a substantially closed interior;    a top portion of said drum having an aperture therethrough;    an overhead vapor outlet nozzle connected to said aperture; and    a deflector for deflecting solids and heavy hydrocarbon liquid from exiting said interior of said coke drum through said aperture.    
     
     
         2 . A coke drum as recited in  claim 1  wherein said deflector is removably connected beneath said aperture.  
     
     
         3 . A coke drum as recited in  claim 2  wherein said deflector is removably connected to said overhead vapor outlet nozzle.  
     
     
         4 . A coke drum as recited in  claim 3  wherein said deflector is sized to fit through said aperture.  
     
     
         5 . A coke drum as recited in  claim 1  wherein said deflector is a planar metal plate.  
     
     
         6 . A coke drum as recited in  claim 1  wherein said deflector forms a cone having an apex centered with and pointing toward said aperture in said coke drum.  
     
     
         7 . The coke drum as recited in  claim 1  wherein said deflector is located at least one foot (30.5 cm) from said aperture within said coke drum.  
     
     
         8 . The coke drum as recited in  claim 1  wherein said deflector is located no farther away than ten feet (3.05 m) from said aperture within said coke drum.  
     
     
         9 . A method of reducing escape of solids and heavy hydrocarbon liquids from a coke drum having a top portion with an aperture, an overhead vapor outlet nozzle connected to said aperture, and means for deflecting solids and heavy hydrocarbon liquids from exiting said interior of said coke drum through said aperture, said method comprising the steps of: 
 introducing hydrocarbon feed into said coke drum;    venting said coke drum through said aperture; and    reducing said amounts of solids and heavy hydrocarbon liquids from exiting said coke drum by deflecting said solids and heavy hydrocarbon liquids from said aperture.    
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 9  wherein said means for deflecting is removably placed beneath said aperture.  
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein said means for deflecting is removably connected to said overhead vapor outlet nozzle.  
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said means for deflecting includes a flat planar plate.  
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said means for deflecting includes a cone with an apex pointing to said aperture.  
     
     
         14 . A method of reducing escape of solids and heavy hydrocarbon liquids from a coke drum having a top portion with an aperture, and an overhead vapor outlet nozzle connected to said aperture, which method comprises: 
 introducing hydrocarbon feed into said coke drum;    venting said coke drum through said aperture;    impinging said solids and liquid hydrocarbons on a deflector plate in said drum to discourage escape of said solids and hydrocarbon liquids from said coke drum.    
     
     
         15 . The method of reducing escape of solids and heavy hydrocarbon liquids as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said deflector plate is a flat planar metal plate.