Furnace and process for hydrocarbon cracking

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(11)

EP 0 253 633 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	08.02.1989 Bulletin 1989/06

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	20.01.1988 Bulletin 1988/03

(21)	Application number: 87306227.7

(22)	Date of filing: 14.07.1987

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁴: C10G 9/20

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	BE DE ES FR GB IT NL

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Priority:

15.07.1986 GB 8617214

(71)	Applicant: THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
	Midland Michigan 48640-1967 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Kosters, Peter Hubertus NL-4571 SR Axel (NL) Vossenberg, Nico Jan NL-4532 LG Terneuzen (NL)

(74)	Representative: Raynor, John et al
	W.H. Beck, Greener & Co 7 Stone Buildings Lincoln's Inn London WC2A 3SZ London WC2A 3SZ (GB)

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References cited: :

(54)	Furnace and process for hydrocarbon cracking

(57) A heat exchanger, particularly for use in a thermal cracking furnace for hydrocarbons, comprises a pair of coaxial metal tubes (12, 14) defining an inner duct (11), and a ceramic block (13) defining an outer duct (10) coaxially disposed about the inner duct for substantially radiative heat transfer between the outer duct and the inner duct.
The surface area per unit length of the outer wall of the outer duct increases continuously along at least a portion of the length of the outer duct, and the cross sectional area of the outer duct (10) reduces along its length, to provide an inwardly directed radiative heat flux from the outer wall which varies along the said portion of the length of the outer duct. The heat flux through the heat exchanger can thereby be maximised and short residence times achieved.
The outer wall of the outer duct is formed of a ceramic which may be cast monolithically and has inwardly projecting ribs having a cross sectional area which increases continuously along the said portion of the length of the outer duct.

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