(157c) Evaluating the Use of Hydrogen As a Cleaner Fuel in a Steam Superheater Application

Jennifer Cunningham

Site Production Engineer – Channelview, TX Manufacturing Facility

LyondellBasell

Vivek Sundaram

Fired Equipment Engineer – Global Asset Integrity and Turnaround Department

LyondellBasell

Mitch Gibb

Site Process Specialist – Channelview, TX Manufacturing Facility

LyondellBasell

Rob Fox

Senior Director - Global Process Engineering

LyondellBasell

In September 2021, LyondellBasell announced an ambition to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions from global operations by 2050. In an effort to meet decarbonization goals for the company, potential applications for increased hydrogen consumption and other alternate strategies were identified. A recent plant trial was conducted at the LyondellBasell facility in Channelview, Texas, to evaluate the effects of increasing the hydrogen content in the fuel supply to a steam superheater to nearly 90 mol%. This plant trial evaluated the impact of high hydrogen firing on both process and environmental performance and provides insight on the impact of key operating variables. This paper includes the effects of NOx emissions with changes to flame temperature, excess O2, and relative humidity and is a summary of the findings and lessons learned that will help drive future projects for increased hydrogen fueling throughout the company.