Coker inlet design to minimize effects of impingement

Abstract

Coke drum assembly is provided with a vessel having a body portion defining an interior, a central axis, and having a lower portion including a sidewall, and at least one feed inlet coupled with the lower portion in fluid communication with the interior of the vessel. The at least one feed inlet is directed toward the central axis of the vessel, and angled upwardly at a feed inlet angle relative to the central axis. At a location opposite the feed inlet, the side wall of the lower portion is angled upwardly at an opposing wall angle relative to the central axis, wherein the feed inlet angle is less than or equal to the opposing wall angle. Method also is provided for delayed coking using the coke drum assembly disclosed herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coke drum assembly comprising:
 a vessel having a body portion defining an interior and a central axis, the vessel further having a lower portion including a sidewall; and   at least one feed inlet coupled with the lower portion in fluid communication with the interior of the vessel, the at least one feed inlet directed toward the central axis of the vessel, and angled upwardly at a feed inlet angle relative the central axis,   
       the side wall of the lower portion at a location opposite the feed inlet being angled upwardly at an opposing wall angle relative to the central axis of the vessel, the feed inlet angle being less than or equal to the opposing wall angle . 
     
     
         2 . The coke drum assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the feed inlet angle is approximately equal to the opposing wall angle. 
     
     
         3 . The coke drum assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the opposing wall angle is equal to or greater than about 45° relative to the central axis and the feed inlet angle is equal to or less than about 45° relative to the central axis of the vessel. 
     
     
         4 . The coke drum assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one feed inlet includes at least two feed inlets evenly spaced about the lower portion around the central axis of the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The coke drum assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the at least two feed inlets are generally directed toward a common focal point in the interior of the vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The coke drum assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the common focal point is located along the central axis of the vessel. 
     
     
         7 . The coke drum assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a feed pipe system in fluid communication with the at least one feed inlet. 
     
     
         8 . The coke drum assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one feed inlet includes at least two feed inlets spaced about the lower portion of the vessel, the feed pipe system including a primary feed pipe and a plurality of branch feed pipes extending from the primary feed pipe, each branch feed pipe extending to a respective one of the at least two feed inlets. 
     
     
         9 . A method of delayed coking comprising:
 providing a coke drum assembly comprising
 a vessel having a body portion defining an interior and a central axis; 
 the vessel further having a lower portion including a sidewall; and 
 at least one feed inlet coupled with the lower portion in fluid communication with the interior of the vessel, the at least one feed inlet directed toward the central axis of the vessel, and angled upwardly at a feed inlet angle relative the central axis, 
 the side wall of the lower portion at a location opposite the feed inlet being angled upwardly at an opposing wall angle relative to the central axis of the vessel, the feed inlet angle being less than or equal to the opposing wall angle; and 
   directing a fluid stream from a refinery operation through said at least one feed inlet.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein providing the coke drum assembly includes providing at least two feed inlets evenly spaced about the lower portion around the central axis of the vessel. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid stream through each of the at least two feed inlets are substantially similar.