A system for steam cracking a whole crude that may include a volatilization device, a control system, a separator, and a steam pyrolysis reactor. The volatilization device may be configured to separate a vapor phase from a liquid phase. The control system may be configured to maintain a flow rate of the whole crude and steam, at an initial relative velocity of less than 30 m/s. The separator may be fluidly connected to the volatilization device and configured to separate the liquid phase into a second vapor phase, and a second liquid phase. The steam pyrolysis reactor may include a convection section and a steam pyrolysis heater section, the convection section configured to heat the vapor phase, the liquid phase, and the second vapor phase, and the steam pyrolysis heater section configured to steam crack hydrocarbons in the vapor phase thereby generating a cracked hydrocarbon product.