Cracking · Petrochemicals
Steam Cracker Furnace
A fired furnace where the feed, mixed with dilution steam, flows through radiant coils and breaks into smaller molecules.
What it does
Turns ethane, propane or naphtha into ethylene, propylene and byproducts. Coke builds up on the coils over time and the furnace is taken out to decoke it with air and steam.
Basics
| Feed | Ethane, propane or naphtha |
| Diluent | Steam |
| Coils | Radiant section |
| Decoking | Air and steam, furnace out of service |
Common failures
- Coke building up on the coil walls, which cuts the furnace run length
Troubleshooting
- Symptom
- Furnace needs decoking sooner than usual
- Likely cause
- Coke layer on the coils
- What to check
- Plan a decoke and review steam to feed operation