Methods and systems for managing a decomposition process are disclosed. An example method can comprise estimating a coking rate for a process based on a coking model. The coking model can comprise a pyrolytic coking term and a catalytic coking term. An example method can comprise, performing at least a portion of the process, receiving a parameter for the process, and adjusting an operation of the process based on the parameter.

A method and apparatus of reducing thermal shock in one or more radiant tubes of a pyrolysis furnace is provided. The apparatus is a furnace comprising a blower and blower bypass conduit providing separate fluid communication paths for flue gas from the convection section to a natural draft flue gas stack. The method comprises the steps of: redirecting at least a portion of the flue gas through the blower bypass conduit when a blower shut-off event is indicated as well as reducing the firing rate of the furnace.

A cracking furnace system for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into cracked gas includes a convection section, a radiant section and a cooling section. The convection section includes a plurality of convection banks configured to receive only a hydrocarbon feedstock and a diluent. The radiant section includes a firebox comprising at least oxygen or oxygen enriched air burners and several radiant coils configured to heat up the feedstock to a temperature allowing a pyrolysis reaction. The cooling section includes at least two transfer line exchangers (TLE), a primary transfer line exchanger (PTLE) and a secondary transfer line exchanger (STLE).

In order to predict the future evolution of a health-state of an equipment and/or a processing unit of a chemical production plant, e.g., a steam cracker, a computer-implemented method is provided, which builds a data-driven model for the future key performance indicator based on the key performance indicator of today, the processing condition of today, and the processing condition over a prediction horizon.

An apparatus for hydrocarbon cracking includes a reactor and a heating component. The reactor has an interior cavity configured to receive a feed stream. The feed stream includes a hydrocarbon. The heating component surrounds the reactor. The heating component is configured to provide heat to an external surface of the reactor to crack the hydrocarbon and produce a product stream. The product stream includes a C2-C4 alkene, syngas, or a combination thereof. The reactor is configured to discharge the product stream. The heating component can include an electrical resistor, a combustion chamber, or both.