Ethylene Furnace Steam System Tutorial

Cracking Furnace operation generates high temperature level waste heat in both the flue gas stream and the process effluent stream.  In order to operate economically, recovery of this waste heat is accomplished by high pressure steam generation, using both convective heat transfer surface and tubular heat exchangers of various types. 

The design of the associated steam generation system is covered by ASME code requirements, but the integrity of the system will be determined by operational factors, including water quality, and temperature and flow excursions. 

This tutorial offers suggestions regarding the periodic inspection and preventative maintenance of the heat transfer surface, steam drum, controls and auxiliary equipment of a typical cracking furnace steam system.