Green Hydrogen Technology for Low Carbon Olefins – Electric Cracking Furnace
Here’s an article posted in Technip Energies that talks about the new deal of Technip Energies, LyondellBasell and Chevron Phillips in chemical production.
According to the article,
- Technip Energies, LyondellBasell, and Chevron Phillips Chemical signed an MoU to develop an electric cracking furnace technology for the production of olefins.
- The eFurnace by T.EN™ technology, developed by Technip Energies, utilizes low CO2 electricity to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the production of basic chemicals.
let’s break down the process of steam cracking, the traditional method for producing olefins, and then delve into the eFurnace by T.EN™ technology developed by Technip Energies.
1. Steam Cracking Process:
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Steam cracking is a chemical process used in the petrochemical industry to break down larger hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more valuable molecules like olefins (such as ethylene and propylene) and aromatics (such as benzene and toluene). This process is carried out in large furnaces called steam crackers. Here’s a simplified overview of the traditional steam cracking process:
- Feedstock: Hydrocarbon feedstocks, typically sourced from crude oil or natural gas, are preheated to high temperatures to make them easier to crack.
- Cracking: The preheated feedstock is then mixed with steam and introduced into the cracking furnace, where it undergoes thermal decomposition (cracking) at temperatures typically exceeding 1,500°F (850°C) and pressures ranging from atmospheric to slightly above atmospheric pressure. This high temperature causes the hydrocarbon molecules to break apart into smaller molecules.
- Separation: The cracked products, including olefins and aromatics, along with other by-products and unreacted feedstock, are then separated using various distillation and purification techniques.
2. eFurnace by T.EN™ Technology:
Technip Energies’ eFurnace by T.EN™ technology is a novel approach to steam cracking that aims to reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional steam cracking furnaces. Here’s how it works:
- Electric Heating: Instead of relying on fossil fuels as the heat source, the eFurnace technology uses electricity to generate the high temperatures required for cracking hydrocarbons. This electricity can be sourced from renewable energy, such as solar or wind power, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the process.
- Temperature Control: The eFurnace technology is designed to achieve temperatures exceeding 1,500°F (850°C), which is necessary for efficient cracking of hydrocarbons.
- GHG Emissions Reduction: By utilizing renewable electricity and eliminating the combustion of fossil fuels, the eFurnace technology has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with olefins production. Technip Energies claims that the technology could reduce furnace GHG emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional furnaces.
3. Collaboration and Demonstration:
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Technip Energies, LyondellBasell, and Chevron Phillips Chemical outlines their collaboration to design, construct, and operate a demonstration unit for the eFurnace technology. This demonstration unit will be located at LyondellBasell’s site in Channelview, Texas, USA, and is intended to prove the technology at an industrial scale.
