Pyrolysis of hydrocarbons in the presence of elemental sulfur

Abstract

The effect of elemental sulfur on the kinetics and selectivity of conversion of heptane was studied with regard to the inhibition of the coke formation during pyrolysis of raffinates from naphtha reforming. The experiments were conducted in stainless steel tubular through-flow reactors at atmospheric pressure. The heptane decomposition rate in the absence of sulfur was compared with that in the presence of 0.01, 0.02, and 0.1 wt.% sulfur at 700°C and with the steam-to-feed ratio 3:1. The influence of the inner surface of the reactor was investigated by using reactors with different equivalent volumes. The effect of sulfur on the coke formation during the pyrolysis of the reformer raffinate was examined at 820°C without any inert diluent.