Furnace for cracking hydrocarbons and method of operation therefor

Abstract

A furnace configured for cracking hydrocarbons includes a furnace internal volume and one or more tubes; the internal volume includes at least a high temperature volume and is arranged with a heat source configured for heating the high temperature volume during operation. The tubes, each with an entry portion connect to an external inlet on one side and an exit portion connectable to an external outlet at another side of the respective tube, and pass through the high temperature volume in the internal volume, such that during operation the tubes in the high temperature volume are exposed to heat from the heat source. The furnace includes a thermoacoustic engine source for generating acoustic waves and guiding the acoustic waves into the furnace internal volume. Alternatively, the furnace is configured for generating oscillating acoustic waves in the interior of the tubes by means of a thermal gradient along the tubes.