Patent attributes
The invention provides a method for pretreating a hydrocarbon steam cracker feed, comprising contacting the feed with a solvent to produce a pretreated feed having a reduced content of fouling components that cause fouling in the preheat, convection and radiant sections of the steam cracker and a rich solvent having an increased content of fouling components. The invention further provides a method for steam cracking hydrocarbons comprising: a) feeding a hydrocarbon steam cracker feed to the process; b) pretreating the feed by contacting the feed with a solvent to produce a pretreated feed having a reduced content of fouling components that cause fouling in the steam cracker and a rich solvent having an increased content of fouling components; c) heating the pretreated feed; and d) passing the pretreated feed through a steam cracker under cracking conditions to produce cracked products.
