coke drum

Coking is a severe thermal cracking process used in petroleum refining to convert heavy residue into lighter products and solid coke. This technology involves heating the residue to high temperatures (around 475–520 °C or 890–970 °F) with minimal residence time. The heated material is then transferred to a large vessel called a coke drum, where extensive cracking occurs.1

Lighter cracked products are drawn off and further processed, while the heavier components crack into coke, a solid carbonaceous material similar to coal. Coke drums operate on a cycle, filling with coke over 24 hours, followed by cooling, decoking (removing the coke with a high-pressure water jet), and reheating. Petroleum coke is a valuable byproduct used in metallurgical processes, for carbon electrodes, and as fuel.12