Coke formation during cracking of hydrocarbons. I. The effect of pre‐sulphiding on coke formation on a nickel‐chromium‐iron alloy under steam cracking conditions

Abstract

AbstractStudies have been carried out on the effect of pre‐sulphiding a nickel‐chromium‐iron alloy on coke formation under steam cracking conditions. Pre‐sulphiding has no great effect on the gaseous product spectrum as long as some sulphur is present, but the coking rate is dependent on the amount of sulphur pre‐deposited. Small amounts of sulphur reduce the coke formation, but the coking rate increases with increasing amounts of pre‐deposited sulphur. As the sulphur content increases still further, coke formation passes through a maximum. A tentative explanation of these observations is advanced in terms of the effect of metal sulphides on the established mechanism of coke formation. Initial sulphiding is suggested to increase grain boundary penetration by coke and to result in the accumulation of iron sulphide on the surface. Eventually this may act to seal off grain boundaries, thereby inhibiting further coke formation.