Apparatus and method for accumulating coke

Abstract

An apparatus for accumulating coke includes a coke drum having an upper head, a lower section, and a generally cylindrical wall having a height parallel to its longitudinal axis and extending between and joined to the upper head and the lower section. The wall includes an upper ring and a lower ring, each of which has a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wall which is in a range of zero percent to 25 percent of the height of the wall. The wall also includes an intermediate ring which extends between and is joined to the upper ring, if present, and the lower ring, if present. The intermediate ring has a length which is equal to a cumulative length of the upper ring and the lower ring subtracted from the length of the wall. The intermediate ring is free of joints which extend in a circumferential direction of the wall.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A coke drum, comprising: 
 an upper head;    a lower section, at least a portion of which is capable of being moved from a coking operation position to a coke removal position for removal of coke from said coke drum; and    a generally cylindrical wall having a height parallel to its longitudinal axis and extending between and joined to said upper head and said lower section, said wall comprising:    an upper ring having a height parallel to said longitudinal axis of said wall which is in a range of zero percent to 25 percent of said height of said wall;    a lower ring having a height parallel to said longitudinal axis of said wall which is in a range of zero percent to 25 percent of said height of said wall; and    an intermediate ring, extending between and joined to said upper ring, if present, and said lower ring, if present, said intermediate ring having a height parallel to said longitudinal axis of said wall which is equal to a cumulative height of said upper ring and said lower ring subtracted from said height of said wall,    wherein said intermediate ring is free of joints which extend in a circumferential direction of said wall.    
     
     
         2 . A coke drum, according to  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate ring comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented panels, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having longitudinally extending side edges, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a length-to-width aspect ratio which is equal to or greater than 4:1, wherein adjacent panels of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels are joined together along their longitudinally extending side edges to form said intermediate ring.  
     
     
         3 . A coke drum, according to  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate ring comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented panels, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having longitudinally extending side edges, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a length-to-width aspect ratio which is equal to or greater than 6:1, wherein adjacent panels of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels are joined together along their longitudinally extending side edges to form said intermediate ring.  
     
     
         4 . A coke drum, according to  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate ring consists of a plurality of longitudinally oriented panels, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having longitudinally extending side edges, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a length-to-width aspect ratio which is equal to or greater than 8:1, wherein adjacent panels of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels are joined together along their longitudinally extending side edges to form said intermediate ring.  
     
     
         5 . A coke drum, according to  claim 1 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is in a range of 50 percent to 80 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         6 . A coke drum, according to  claim 1 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is in a range of 60 percent to 80 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         7 . A coke drum, according to  claim 1 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is at least 60 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         8 . A coke drum, according to  claim 1 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is at least 70 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         9 . A coke drum, according to  claim 1 , wherein said height of said lower ring is in a range of 10 percent to 20 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         10 . A coke drum, according to  claim 1 , wherein said height of said upper ring is an average height of said upper ring and said height of said lower ring is an average height of said lower ring.  
     
     
         11 . A coke drum, comprising: 
 an upper section, including an upper head;    a lower section, including a lower head, wherein at least a portion of the lower head is capable of being moved from a coking operation position to a coke removal position for removal of coke from said coke drum; and    a generally cylindrical wall extending between said upper section and said lower section, said wall having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of longitudinally oriented panels, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a plurality of longitudinally extending side edges, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a length-to-width aspect ratio which is equal to or greater than 4:1, wherein adjacent panels of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels are joined together along their longitudinally extending side edges to form said wall,    wherein said wall is free of joints which extend in a circumferential direction of said wall.    
     
     
         12 . A coke drum, according to  claim 11 , wherein said wall extends from said upper head to said lower head.  
     
     
         13 . A coke drum, according to  claim 11 , wherein said length-to-width aspect ratio is equal to or greater than 6:1.  
     
     
         14 . A coke drum, according to  claim 11 , wherein said length-to-width aspect ratio is equal to or greater than 8:1.  
     
     
         15 . A coking system, comprising: 
 a plurality of coke drums for accumulating coke; and    an input valve which can selectively provide communication between a source of residuum and said plurality of coke drums, wherein said valve is capable of receiving a flow of residuum from said source of residuum and providing said flow of residuum to a selected one of said plurality of coke drums,    wherein at least one of said plurality of coke drums comprises:    an upper head;    a lower section, at least a portion of which is capable of being moved from a coking operation position to a coke removal position for removal of coke from the respective coke drum; and    a generally cylindrical wall having a height parallel to its longitudinal axis and extending between said upper head and said lower section, said wall comprising:    an upper ring having a height parallel to said longitudinal axis of said wall which is in a range of zero percent to 25 percent of said height of said wall;    a lower ring having a height parallel to said longitudinal axis of said wall which is in a range of zero percent to 25 percent of said height of said wall; and    an intermediate ring, extending between and joined to said upper ring, if present, and said lower ring, if present, said intermediate ring having a height parallel to said longitudinal axis of said wall which is equal to a cumulative height of said upper ring and said lower ring subtracted from said height of said wall,    wherein said intermediate ring is free of joints which extend in a circumferential direction of said wall.    
     
     
         16 . A coking system, according to  claim 15 , further comprising a heater which is in communication with each of said source of residuum and said valve, wherein said heater is capable of heating said flow of residuum prior to said valve receiving said flow of residuum, and 
 wherein said source of residuum is a fractionator.    
     
     
         17 . A coking system, according to  claim 15 , wherein said intermediate ring comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented panels, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having longitudinally extending side edges, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a length-to-width aspect ratio which is equal to or greater than 4:1, wherein adjacent panels of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels are joined together along their longitudinally extending side edges to form said intermediate ring.  
     
     
         18 . A coking system, according to  claim 15 , wherein said intermediate ring consists of a plurality of longitudinally oriented panels, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having longitudinally extending side edges, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a length-to-width aspect ratio which is equal to or greater than 6:1, wherein adjacent panels of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels are joined together along their longitudinally extending side edges to form said intermediate ring.  
     
     
         19 . A coking system, according to  claim 15 , wherein said intermediate ring comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented panels, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having longitudinally extending side edges, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a length-to-width aspect ratio which is equal to or greater than 8:1, wherein adjacent panels of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels are joined together along their longitudinally extending side edges to form said intermediate ring.  
     
     
         20 . A coking system, according to  claim 15 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is in a range of 50 percent to 80 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         21 . A coking system, according to  claim 15 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is in a range of 60 percent to 80 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         22 . A coking system, according to  claim 15 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is at least 60 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         23 . A coking system, according to  claim 15 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is at least 70 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         24 . A coking system, according to  claim 15 , wherein said height of said lower ring is in a range of 10 percent to 20 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         25 . A coking system, according to  claim 15 , wherein said height of said upper ring is an average height of said upper ring and said height of said lower ring is an average height of said lower ring.  
     
     
         26 . A coking system, comprising: 
 a plurality of coke drums for accumulating coke; and    an input valve which can selectively provide communication between a source of residuum and said plurality of coke drums, wherein said valve is capable of receiving a flow of residuum from said source of residuum and providing said flow of residuum to a selected one of said plurality of coke drums,    wherein at least one of said plurality of coke drums comprises:    an upper section, including an upper head;    a lower section, including a lower head, wherein at least a portion of the lower head is capable of being moved from a coking operation position to a coke removal position for removal of coke from the respective coke drum; and    a generally cylindrical wall extending between said upper section and said lower section, said wall having a longitudinal axis and consisting of a plurality of longitudinally oriented panels, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a plurality of longitudinally extending side edges, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a length-to-width aspect ratio which is equal to or greater than 4:1, wherein each adjacent pair of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels are joined together along their longitudinally extending side edges to form said wall,    wherein said wall is free of joints which extend in a circumferential direction of said wall.    
     
     
         27 . A coking system, according to  claim 26 , further comprising a heater which is in communication with each of said source of residuum and said valve, wherein said heater is capable of heating said flow of residuum prior to said valve receiving said flow of residuum, and 
 wherein said source of residuum is a fractionator.    
     
     
         28 . A coking system, according to  claim 26 , wherein said wall extends from said upper head to said lower head.  
     
     
         29 . A coking system, according to  claim 26 , wherein said length-to-width aspect ratio is equal to or greater than 6:1.  
     
     
         30 . A coking system, according to  claim 26 , wherein said length-to-width aspect ratio is equal to or greater than 8:1.  
     
     
         31 . A method of constructing a coke drum, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an upper head;    providing a lower section, at least a portion of which is capable of being moved from a coking operation position to a coke removal position for removal of coke from said coke drum;    providing a generally cylindrical wall which extends between said upper head and said lower section, said wall having a height parallel to its longitudinal axis; and    joining said wall to said upper head and said lower section, wherein said wall is constructed by a method comprising the steps of:    providing an upper ring having a height parallel to said longitudinal axis of said wall, which is in a range of zero percent to 25 percent of said height of said wall;    providing a lower ring having a height, parallel to said longitudinal axis of said wall, which is in a range of zero percent to 25 percent of said height of said wall;    providing an intermediate ring, extending between said upper ring, if present, and said lower ring, if present, said intermediate ring having a height which is equal to a cumulative height of said upper ring and said lower ring subtracted from said height of said wall, said intermediate ring being free of joints which extend in a circumferential direction of said wall; and    joining said intermediate ring to said upper ring, if present, and said lower ring, if present.    
     
     
         32 . A method of constructing a coke drum, according to  claim 31 , wherein said intermediate ring is constructed according to a method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of longitudinally oriented panels, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having longitudinally extending side edges, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a length-to-width aspect ratio which is equal to or greater than 4:1; and    joining adjacent panels of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels along their longitudinally extending side edges to form said intermediate ring.    
     
     
         33 . A method of constructing a coke drum, according to  claim 31 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is in a range of 50 percent to 80 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         34 . A method of constructing a coke drum, according to  claim 31 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is at least 60 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         35 . A method of constructing a coke drum, according to  claim 31 , wherein said height of said lower ring is in a range of 10 percent to 20 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         36 . A method of constructing a coke drum, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an upper section, including an upper head;    providing a lower section, including a lower head, wherein at least a portion of the lower head is capable of being moved from a coking operation position to a coke removal position for removal of coke from said coke drum;    providing a plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a plurality of longitudinally extending edges, each of said plurality of said longitudinally oriented panels having a length-to-width ratio which is equal to or greater than 4:1;    joining each adjacent pair of said longitudinally oriented panels together along their longitudinally extending side edges to form a generally cylindrical wall which is free of joints that extend in a circumferential direction of said wall; and    joining said wall to said upper section and said lower section.    
     
     
         37 . A method of operating a coke drum, comprising the steps of: 
 accumulating coke in a coke drum, wherein said coke drum comprises:    an upper head;    a lower section, at least a portion of which is capable of being moved from a coking operation position to a coke removal position for removal of coke from said coke drum; and    a generally cylindrical wall having a height parallel to its longitudinal axis and extending between and joined to said upper head and said lower section, said wall comprising:    an upper ring having a height parallel to said longitudinal axis of said wall which is in a range of zero percent to 25 percent of said height of said wall;    a lower ring having a height parallel to said longitudinal axis of said wall which is in a range of zero percent to 25 percent of said height of said wall; and    an intermediate ring, extending between said upper ring, if present, and said lower ring, if present, said intermediate ring having a height which is equal to a cumulative length of said upper ring and said lower ring subtracted from said length of said wall, said intermediate ring being free of joints which extend in a circumferential direction of said wall;    introducing water into a lower portion of said coke drum to quench coke accumulated in said coke drum;    removing vapors from an upper portion of said coke drum; moving said at least a portion of said lower section from said coking operation position to said coke removal position to thereby form a coke removal opening after the coke accumulated in said coke drum has been quenched; and    removing thus quenched coke from said coke drum via said coke removal opening.    
     
     
         38 . A method of operating a coke drum, according to  claim 37 , wherein said intermediate ring comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented panels, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having longitudinally extending side edges, each of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels having a length-to-width aspect ratio which is equal to or greater than 4:1, wherein adjacent panels of said plurality of longitudinally oriented panels are joined together along their longitudinally extending side edges to form said intermediate ring.  
     
     
         39 . A method of operating a coke drum, according to  claim 37 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is in a range of 50 percent to 80 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         40 . A method of operating a coke drum, according to  claim 37 , wherein said height of said intermediate ring is at least 60 percent of said height of said wall.  
     
     
         41 . A method of operating a coke drum, according to  claim 37 , wherein said height of said lower ring is in a range of 10 percent to 20 percent of said height of said wall.