Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025

Development and Validation of Chromium Getters for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power Systems
Published on: May 26, 2019
Alumina-based Coating for Coke Reduction in Steam Crackers
Stamatis A Sarris1, Steffen H Symoens1, Natalia Olahova1
1Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, University of Gent, Technologiepark 914, 9052 Gent, Belgium.
Alumina-based coatings significantly reduce coking in industrial ethylene furnaces compared to uncoated materials. However, presulfiding the coating negatively impacts performance, suggesting alternative sulfur strategies are needed for this barrier coating.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Catalysis
Background:
- Industrial ethylene furnaces are prone to coking, reducing efficiency.
- Alumina-based coatings offer potential solutions for furnace modifications.
- CoatAlloy™ is a commercial alumina-based coating for industrial applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of CoatAlloy™ in reducing coking during ethane steam cracking.
- To investigate the effects of presulfiding and sulfur addition on coating performance.
- To compare the coated material with an uncoated reference alloy under industrially relevant conditions.
Main Methods:
- Online experimental measurements of coking rates using an electrobalance.
- Ethane steam cracking under controlled conditions (1173 K, 0.1 MPa, 70% C2H6).
- Surface and cross-section analysis using SEM, EDX, XPS, and WDS.
Main Results:
- CoatAlloy™ demonstrated superior performance in reducing coking rates compared to the reference Ni-Cr Fe-base alloy after improved pretreatment.
- Presulfiding the coating negatively affected coking rates.
- Minimal changes were observed in product distribution with the passivating coating.
Conclusions:
- Alumina-based coatings like CoatAlloy™ are effective in mitigating coking in ethylene furnaces.
- Presulfiding strategies need re-evaluation for optimal performance with this barrier coating.
- Further research into alternative sulfur addition methods is recommended for enhanced barrier coating functionality.
More Related Videos
11:14Two-way Valorization of Blast Furnace Slag: Synthesis of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and Zeolitic Heavy Metal Adsorbent
Published on: February 21, 2017
06:34Operation of a 25 KWth Calcium Looping Pilot-plant with High Oxygen Concentrations in the Calciner
Published on: October 25, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Sample Preparation for Analysis: Advanced Techniques
Acid digestion with strong acids is commonly used to dissolve inorganic materials that are insoluble (do not dissolve) in water. This method can be useful for...
Alkali Aggregate Reaction in Concrete
Washing, Drying, and Ignition of Precipitates