DILUTION STEAM SUPPLY

STEAM
CRACKED GAS GENERATION
TO QUENCH

WATER
DRUM

STACK

STEAM
GENERATION
STACK
FURNACE
BURNARS

FEEDSTOCK

STEAM

ISOMETRIC VIEW OF STEAM CRACKER

FURNACE (FROM PROCÉDÉS CHIMIQUES
UNITAIRES, CHAVAL, DECROCCQ, LEFEBVRE,
AND RAIMTSAULT)

APPLICATION REPORT • 2722/01/01 • Issue 3/2003

Introduction
The ethylene steam cracker raises the temperature of the
feed stock to be cracked to 750-850 °C / 1380-1560 °F,
and adds steam to reduce coking and improve the yield of
end product. The steam supply application is described
and Metso Automation solution is presented in this appli-
cation bulletin.
Depending on the technology of the furnace and control
systems, the accuracy of the steam flow control can be
more or less important. In modern crackers where the
furnace process can be optimized, a more accurate con-
trol may be required.
Typical process conditions are:

 Temperature: 180-200 °C / 260-390 °F

Process  Pressure: 10 bar / 145 psi
 Pressure drop: 2-7 bar / 29-100 psi
The steam supply to the cracker furnace takes place at  Flow: 700-48 000 kg/h
a temperature near the transition between saturated and / 1540-105820 lbs/h
superheated steam. The flow depends on the severity of
the feed stock, but the steam can also be used for de-
coking the furnace so lower flows can be required.
APPLICATION REPORT • 2722/01/01 Issue 3/2003
Application demands Features and benefits

Application is not difficult, for a valve specified or for Neldisc Triple Eccentric Disc Valve
temperature, pressure and flow requirements. Some  Economical solution
typical requirements can be:  If pressure drop creates excessive noise, S-Disc
noise reduction available
 Tight shutoff  Tight shutoff over long lifetime
 High rangeability  Temperature and application proven solution
 Accurate control
 Noise reduction R Series Segment Valve
 Optimum steam feed through wide rangeability
Valve selection  All flow requirements with v-notch ball opening
 Temperature and application proven solution
Depending on the customer demands, a Neldisc® triple
eccentric disc valve or an R series segment valve would
be the best solutions.

Metso Automation Neldisc triple eccentric disc with Metso Automation R series segment valve with
S-Disc® design. Q-Trim™.

The information provided in this bulletin is advisory in nature, and is intended as a guideline only.
For specific circumstances and more detailed information, please consult with Metso Automation.

Metso Automation, Field Systems

Europe, Levytie 6, P.O. Box 310, 00811 Helsinki, Finland.
Tel. +358 20 483 150. Fax +358 20 483 151
North America, 44 Bowditch Drive, P.O. Box 8044, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, USA.
Tel. +1 508 852 0200. Fax +1 508 852 8172
Latin America, Av. Central, 181-Chácaras Reunidas,12238-430 São José dos Campos,
SP Brazil. Tel. +55 123 935 3500. Fax +55 123 935 3535
Asia Pacific, 501 Orchard Road, #05-09 Wheelock Place, 238880 Singapore.
Tel. +65 673 552 00. Fax +65 673 545 66
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United Arab Emirates. Tel. +971 4 883 6974. Fax +971 4 883 6836
www.metsoautomation.com