Influence of acoustic energy on coke morphology and foaming in delayed coking

Abstract

This invention relates to a process for controlling coke morphology and. foaming in delayed coking. More particularly, acoustic energy is used to control coke morphology and foaming in a delayed coking process.

1 . A method for controlling coke morphology in a delayed coking process that comprises: 
 (a) heating a coker feedstock in a heater to produce a heated feedstock,    (b) conducting the heated feedstock to a coker vessel,    (c) maintaining the coker vessel at delayed coking temperatures at effective delayed coking conditions to produce vapor products and coke,    (d) quenching the coker vessel, and    (e) subjecting at least one of steps (a), (b), or (c) to acoustic energy at an energy level and for a time sufficient to produce shot coke.    
   
   
       2 . A method for controlling foam formation in a delayed coking process that comprises: 
 (a) heating a coker feedstock in a heater to produce a heated feedstock,    (b) conducting the heated feedstock to a coker vessel,    (c) maintaining the coker vessel at delayed coking temperatures at effective delayed coking conditions to produce foam, vapor products and coke, and    (d) subjecting the coker vessel in step (c) to acoustic energy at an energy level and for a time sufficient to reduce the amount of foam.    
   
   
       3 . The methods of claims  1  or  2  wherein the feedstock is heated to temperatures of about 480° C. to about 520° C. in at least one furnace containing at least one furnace tube and is transferred to the coker vessel through at least one transfer line.  
   
   
       4 . The method of claims  1  or  2  wherein the coke formed is a sponge coke, shot coke or mixture thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the coke is a shot coke.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein at least one anti-foam agent is added to the coker vessel.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein acoustic energy is applied to at least one of the coker drum, furnace tube or transfer line.  
   
   
       8 . The method of claims  1  or  2  wherein the acoustic energy is applied axially along the length of the coker vessel, across the diameter of the coker vessel or at some angle between axial and perpendicular to axial.  
   
   
       9 . The method of claims  1  or  2  wherein the acoustic energy is in a frequency range from about 15 to about 20,000 Hz.  
   
   
       10 . The method of claims  1  or  2  wherein the acoustic energy is in the range from about 90 to about 200 dB.  
   
   
       11 . The method of claims  1  or  2  wherein the acoustic energy is in the form of a standing wave.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising at least one metal-containing additive.