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.

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.

A process for steam cracking a whole crude including a volatilization step performed to maintain a relatively large hydrocarbon droplet size. The process may include contacting a whole crude with steam to volatilize a portion of the hydrocarbons, wherein the contacting of the hydrocarbon feedstock and steam is conducted at an initial relative velocity of less than 30 m/s, for example. The resulting vapor phase, including volatilized hydrocarbons and steam may then be separated from a liquid phase comprising unvaporized hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons in the vapor phase may then be forwarded to a steam pyrolysis reactor for steam cracking of the hydrocarbons in the vapor phase.

Processes herein may be used to thermally crack various hydrocarbon feeds, and may eliminate the refinery altogether while making the crude to chemicals process very flexible in terms of crude. In embodiments herein, crude is progressively separated into at least light and heavy fractions. Depending on the quality of the light and heavy fractions, these are routed to one of three upgrading operations, including a fixed bed hydroconversion unit, a fluidized catalytic conversion unit, or a residue hydrocracking unit that may utilize an ebullated bed reactor. Products from the upgrading operations may be used as feed to a steam cracker.

The present disclosure is directed to petrochemical processing systems that may include a component including a first surface oriented to contact a process fluid, which may define a plurality of channels. The petrochemical processing systems may further include a plurality of metal spheres disposed at least partially in the plurality of channels. Each one of the plurality of metal spheres may be fixed in place within one of the plurality of channels such that each of the plurality of metal spheres is freely rotatable. Methods for reducing accumulation and formation of solid deposits during petrochemical processing using the petrochemical processing systems are also disclosed.

The present disclosure is directed to petrochemical processing systems that may include a component including a first surface oriented to contact a process fluid, which may define a plurality of channels. The petrochemical processing systems may further include a plurality of metal spheres disposed at least partially in the plurality of channels. Each one of the plurality of metal spheres may be fixed in place within one of the plurality of channels such that each of the plurality of metal spheres is freely rotatable. Methods for reducing accumulation and formation of solid deposits during petrochemical processing using the petrochemical processing systems are also disclosed.

The present disclosure is directed to petrochemical processing systems that may include a component including a first surface oriented to contact a process fluid, which may define a plurality of channels. The petrochemical processing systems may further include a plurality of metal spheres disposed at least partially in the plurality of channels. Each one of the plurality of metal spheres may be fixed in place within one of the plurality of channels such that each of the plurality of metal spheres is freely rotatable. Methods for reducing accumulation and formation of solid deposits during petrochemical processing using the petrochemical processing systems are also disclosed.

The present disclosure is directed to petrochemical processing systems that may include a component including a first surface oriented to contact a process fluid, which may define a plurality of channels. The petrochemical processing systems may further include a plurality of metal spheres disposed at least partially in the plurality of channels. Each one of the plurality of metal spheres may be fixed in place within one of the plurality of channels such that each of the plurality of metal spheres is freely rotatable. Methods for reducing accumulation and formation of solid deposits during petrochemical processing using the petrochemical processing systems are also disclosed.

A process for removing or reducing the accumulation of foulant within furnaces and heat exchangers in industrial systems such as an oil refinery by introducing a periodic steam blast. The steam blast is directed into the fluid stream from which the foulants form on to the heat exchanger surfaces. The steam blast increases the flow rates, creates turbulence and increases the temperature within the heat exchanger to dislodge foulant in both a soft and hardened states from internal surfaces upon which foulants have adhered and accumulated.

A process for removing or reducing the accumulation of foulant within furnaces and heat exchangers in industrial systems such as an oil refinery by introducing a periodic steam blast. The steam blast is directed into the fluid stream from which the foulants form on to the heat exchanger surfaces. The steam blast increases the flow rates, creates turbulence and increases the temperature within the heat exchanger to dislodge foulant in both a soft and hardened states from internal surfaces upon which foulants have adhered and accumulated.