Abstract:
Ethane vapour brought from outside battery limits is heated in stages and
mixed with dilution steam, it therefore enters the convection section of the
cracking furnaces where it is further heated. On leaving the convection
section, the ethane/dilution steam mixture enters the radiant section where
the crackinq takes place. The hot gases are quickly cooled in horizontal
heat exchangers where high pressure steam is generated.
A proper sequence of quench i ng 4-5 stage compress ion, separation, caustic
and water washing is then performed, followed by the removal of methane,
ethane and propane, until only ethylene remains.