(27e) Electrification of Steam Cracking - SRT -eTM Electric Cracking Heater

Societal demand for reductions in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions is leading to a major shift in the way energy is used within an ethylene plant. This paper discusses options for new and existing ethylene plants to reduce emissions by replacing heat from burning fuel with electrical sources . Whilst electric drives are currently available to replace steam turbine driven machinery, electrification of the steam cracking heater is considered to be in demonstration phase [ 1 ]. Any device for providing large heating duty to a steam cracker using electricity as a heat source needs to consider three aspect – (i) Conversion of electric power to heat at high temperature and heat flux; (ii) furnace structure, layout and safety considerations (iii) electrical supply and related interfaces. This paper describes how Lummus Technology’s patent pending SRT-e technology addresses each aspect using essentially proven components. The SRT-e system can be deployed initially at smaller scale such as capacity expansion, or expanded to a full scale cracking heater subject to the available electrical power supply.

[1] https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/greener-chemicals-steam-cracking-could-go-electric-by-2023/