(110b) Reducing Carbon Emissions in Ethylene Plants

Reducing emissions in ethylene plants is key for its future. Achieving net zero targets by 2050 and limiting increasing global temperature is the challenge: governments and industry need to work together to allow the deployment of a range of technologies that allow achieving the goal. Producing green ethylene is another option, perhaps more distant in the future. Today's technologies allow for reduction in the emissions at a very large percentage.

Options for new and existing ethylene plant include the use of each individually or the combination of technologies such as: electrification, hydrogen firing and carbon capture. >99% of CO2 emissions can be captured.

In this paper we present the possible options and highlight the advantages of combining technologies together with the integration within the cracker:

- Optimal percentage of hydrogen firing vs. hydrogen export

- Selection of electric vs steam drivers to maximise plant electrification

- Carbon Capture unit utilising proven technology (Shell Cansolv)

- Energy optimisation in terms of potential heat recovery from Flue Gas and Heat Integration with the Steam Cracker

- Evaluation and integration of Carbon Capture Unit with existing plant and utility systems.

- Optimisation of cooling load (i.e. air vs cooling water) for the specific plant.

All captured CO2 will meet >99 % purity and be ready for sequestration or utilisation- a number of routes to utilise the CO2 will also be highlighted.