What is delay coking?

Delay coking is a process used in petroleum refineries to upgrade heavy residual oils into lighter products such as gasoline and diesel fuel. It involves heating the residual oil to very high temperatures in a coker unit, which causes the oil to break down into smaller molecules that can be more easily processed into lighter products. The process is called “delay” because the heated oil is allowed to cool and settle before it is further processed.

Harm of foam in delay coking process:

Foam can be a problem in the delay coking process because it can reduce the efficiency of the process and increase emissions. Foam can form when the coke is heated too quickly, which can cause it to vaporize and create bubbles that form a foam. This foam can then block the flow of liquid and gases, leading to increased pressure in the vessel and reduced heat transfer. Additionally, foam can lead to increased emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as particulate matter (PM). Finally, foam can also increase the risk of fire or explosion due to its flammable nature.

Good advantage of  defoamers and antifoams for delay coking:

1. Defoamers and antifoams can help reduce foaming in the coker, which can lead to improved efficiency and productivity.

2. They can also help reduce the amount of energy required to heat the coker, as well as reducing the risk of fires and explosions due to excess foam.

3. Defoamers and antifoams can also help reduce corrosion in the coker, which can lead to longer equipment life and lower maintenance costs.

4. Finally, they can help improve product quality by reducing the amount of foam that is present in the final product. Generally, the silicone type defoamers could be used in delay coking.