Steam cracking process

Abstract

A steam cracking process is disclosed. The process comprises contacting a liquid hydrocarbon feed with a solid adsorbent to produce a treated feed and cracking the treated feed in a steam cracker to produce olefins and other hydrocarbon products. The process reduces coking in the convection tubes and extends the run length of the cracker.

1 . A process, comprising: (a) contacting a liquid hydrocarbon feed with a solid adsorbent to produce a treated feed; and (b) cracking the treated feed to produce a reaction mixture in a steam cracker. 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the treated feed has reduced heavy components compared to the hydrocarbon feed. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the treated feed has reduced color compared to the hydrocarbon feed, as measured by ASTM D1500. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the treated feed has reduced carbon residue value as compared to the hydrocarbon feed, as measured by ASTM D4530-07. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the feed comprises crude oil. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the feed comprises natural gas condensate. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the adsorbent is selected from the group consisting of carbon, silica, alumina, zeolites, clay, polymeric resin, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the adsorbent is selected from the group consisting of carbon, clay, polymeric resin, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the adsorbent is a carbon. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the adsorbent is an activated carbon. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the activated carbon has a surface area of at least 100 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the adsorbent is a polymeric resin. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1  wherein step (a) is conducted in a batch mode. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 1  wherein step (a) is conducted in a fixed-bed mode.