Reducing undesired polymerization in hydrocarbon cracking processes

摘要

The present invention relates to a method to inhibit the polymerization of a carbonyl compound in a basic wash unit operation in a hydrocarbon cracking process, comprising:
contacting a stream comprising at least one carbonyl compound with a compound selected from the group consisting of mercaptoacetic acid and alkyl esters thereof and salts thereof and mixtures thereof,
wherein said compound is selected such that it remains water-soluble and base-soluble and does not flocculate in said stream;
wherein said steam is contacted with said compound either before or at the same time as said stream enters said basic wash unit operation.