METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING THE PROPERTIES OF PRODUCTS OF A HEAVY FEED STEAM CRACKER

摘要

Methods and systems are provided for improving viscosity of a heavy hydrocarbon product stream such as a vapor-liquid separator drum bottoms stream, a steam cracker tar stream, or a combination thereof by subjecting the stream to cavitation to reduce the viscosity of the product stream.

主权项

1. A system for improving viscosity of a heavy hydrocarbon product stream comprising:
a vapor-liquid separator drum configured to receive a mixed feed of a heavy hydrocarbon feed having a T50 greater than or equal to 400° F. and a T95 greater than or equal to 650° F. and steam and configured to separate the mixed feed into (a) a steam cracker feed stream comprising steam and volatile hydrocarbons in the mixed feed and (b) a bottoms stream; a steam cracker receiving the steam cracker feed stream, wherein the steam cracker is adapted to crack the steam cracker feed stream to yield a cracked hydrocarbon stream including a stream cracker tar stream; and a hydrodynamic cavitation unit configured to receive a product stream selected from the group consisting of the bottoms stream, the steam cracker tar stream, or a combination thereof, wherein the hydrodynamic cavitation unit is adapted to hydrodynamically cavitate the product stream and thereby reduce the viscosity of the product stream.