Process for the thermal pyrolysis of hydrocarbons using an electric

Abstract

A process for the thermal pyrolysis of hydrocarbons in a reactor (1) of elongate shape comprising at a first end supply means (5) for a gaseous mixture containing at least one hydrocarbon, at the opposite end discharge means (10) for the effluents produced and between these two ends supply means (9) for effluent cooling fluid, the reactor comprising in a first part (first end side) a plurality of electric heating means (3) enclosed by casings (4) disposed in substantially mutually parallel layers perpendicular to the axis of the reactor, in such a way as to define between the casings and/or the casings and the walls (22), spaces or passages for circulation of the gaseous mixtures and/or effluents. The heating means heat the passages in successive, individual, transverse sections which are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reactor. The reactor comprises means for introducing into the casings (4) a gas G known as a casing gas which preferably contains water vapour and/or hydrogen. The permeability of the casings is sufficient to permit diffusion, at least at certain points, of at least a part of the gas G from inside the casings to the outside of the casings, the gas G then being diluted in the gaseous mixture.