Apparatus and processes for quenching a pyrolysis furnace effluent are
provided. In one embodiment, a hydrocarbon stream comprising gas and oil
vapor can be quenched with a first quench water stream to form a mixed
vapor-liquid stream. The mixed vapor-liquid stream can be fed to a water
quench tower to separate the vapor and liquid. The separated vapor can be
further quenched with a second quench water stream in the quench tower to
form an overhead vapor product comprising light hydrocarbons. Water and
liquid hydrocarbons can be collected from the quench tower in an
oil-water separator. The liquid hydrocarbons can be recovered from the
oil-water separator. Water can be recovered from the oil-water separator.
A portion of the recovered water can be cooled. The cooled water can be
recycled to the first and second quench water streams.