An integrated process for upgrading a hydrocarbon oil feed stream utilizing a delayed coker and steam enhanced catalytic cracker includes solvent deasphalting the hydrocarbon oil stream to form at least a deasphalted oil stream and heavy residual hydrocarbons, the heavy residual hydrocarbons including at least asphaltenes; delayed coking the heavy residual hydrocarbons to form petroleum coke and a delayed coker product stream; hydrotreating the delayed coker product stream and the deasphalted oil stream to form a light C.sub.5+ hydrocarbon stream, and a heavy C.sub.5+ hydrocarbon stream; steam enhanced catalytically cracking the light C.sub.5+ hydrocarbon stream to form a light steam enhanced catalytically cracked product stream including olefins, benzene, toluene, xylene, naphtha, or combinations thereof; and steam enhanced catalytically cracking the heavy C.sub.5+ hydrocarbon stream to form a heavy steam enhanced catalytically cracked product including olefins, benzene, toluene, xylene, naphtha, or combinations thereof.

An integrated process for upgrading a hydrocarbon oil feed stream utilizing a delayed coker and steam enhanced catalytic cracker includes solvent deasphalting the hydrocarbon oil stream to form at least a deasphalted oil stream and heavy residual hydrocarbons, the heavy residual hydrocarbons including at least asphaltenes; delayed coking the heavy residual hydrocarbons to form petroleum coke and a delayed coker product stream; hydrotreating the delayed coker product stream and the deasphalted oil stream to form a light C.sub.5+ hydrocarbon stream, and a heavy C.sub.5+ hydrocarbon stream; steam enhanced catalytically cracking the light C.sub.5+ hydrocarbon stream to form a light steam enhanced catalytically cracked product stream including olefins, benzene, toluene, xylene, naphtha, or combinations thereof; and steam enhanced catalytically cracking the heavy C.sub.5+ hydrocarbon stream to form a heavy steam enhanced catalytically cracked product including olefins, benzene, toluene, xylene, naphtha, or combinations thereof.

The invention is an integrated process for treating residual oil of a hydrocarbon feedstock. The oil is first subjected to delayed coking and then oxidative desulfurization. Additional, optional steps including hydrodesulfurization, and hydrocracking, may also be incorporated in to the integrated process.

Methods and systems for in situ monitoring of coke morphology in a delayed coking unit. At least one transmitting electrode and at least one receiving electrode are utilized to transmit AC current across coke being formed within the delayed coking unit. An impedance analyzer can be used to measure the impedance encountered between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode. This measure impedance is compared to an impedance curve comprising known impedance values for different coke morphologies to determine the morphology of coke being formed in the delayed coking unit.

Methods and systems for in situ monitoring of coke morphology in a delayed coking unit. At least one transmitting electrode and at least one receiving electrode are utilized to transmit AC current across coke being formed within the delayed coking unit. An impedance analyzer can be used to measure the impedance encountered between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode. This measure impedance is compared to an impedance curve comprising known impedance values for different coke morphologies to determine the morphology of coke being formed in the delayed coking unit.

A method for forming mesophase pitch can include applying a stimulus to a first amount of coal tar to form a first amount of mesophase pitch. The stimulus can include one or more of an electromagnetic field (EMF) or a magnetic field. The method can further include evaluating a characteristic of the first amount of mesophase pitch, changing a parameter of the stimulus in response to evaluating the characteristic of the first amount of mesophase pitch, and applying the stimulus exhibiting the changed parameters to a second amount of coal tar to form mesophase pitch.

A method for forming mesophase pitch can include applying a stimulus to a first amount of coal tar to form a first amount of mesophase pitch. The stimulus can include one or more of an electromagnetic field (EMF) or a magnetic field. The method can further include evaluating a characteristic of the first amount of mesophase pitch, changing a parameter of the stimulus in response to evaluating the characteristic of the first amount of mesophase pitch, and applying the stimulus exhibiting the changed parameters to a second amount of coal tar to form mesophase pitch.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a furnace having a heated portion arranged adjacent to an unheated portion. A plurality of straight tubes are formed of a first material and are at least partially disposed in the heated portion. A plurality of return bends are operatively coupled to the plurality of straight tubes. The plurality of return bends are formed of a second material and are at least partially disposed in the unheated portion. The first material exhibits a maximum temperature greater than the second material thereby facilitating increased run time of the furnace. The second material exhibits wear-resistance properties greater than the first material thereby facilitating wear-resistance of the furnace.

Implementations of the present disclosure relate to a method of operating a coker unit comprising the steps of: collecting a coker-furnace feed stream; introducing the coker-furnace feed-stream into a coker furnace for producing a coker-drum feed stream; and introducing a hydrogen-donor gas into either or both of the coker-furnace feed stream or the coker-drum feed stream.

Implementations of the present disclosure relate to a method of operating a coker unit comprising the steps of: collecting a coker-furnace feed stream; introducing the coker-furnace feed-stream into a coker furnace for producing a coker-drum feed stream; and introducing a hydrogen-donor gas into either or both of the coker-furnace feed stream or the coker-drum feed stream.