Three Companies Join Forces To Build An Electric Steam Cracking Device

Recently, BASF, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), and Linde signed a joint agreement to jointly develop and promote electric heating solutions for steam crackers. At present, the three parties to the agreement have carried out conceptual research on the use of renewable electricity instead of traditional fossil fuels to provide energy for the heating process. By introducing this innovative measure into the core process of heating, the petrochemical industry, the three parties strive to effectively empower the chemical industry to promote emission reduction.

In the production of basic chemicals, steam crackers play a key role. In order to crack hydrocarbons into olefins and aromatics, the energy consumption is extremely considerable. Under normal circumstances, the occurrence of the relevant cracking reaction requires the furnace temperature to reach about 850 degrees Celsius. At present, the industry mainly relies on the burning of fossil fuels to complete the temperature rise. By converting the energy supply mode of the heating link into electricity, the project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Especially when renewable electric energy is used, this revolutionary new technology is expected to achieve a reduction ratio of up to 90%.

In this project, BASF and SABIC combined their respective technical advantages in the field of chemical process technology development, as well as the deep experience and expertise accumulated by both parties in the operation of steam crackers. Linde mainly focused on the development of steam crackers. Manufacturing and project commercialization contributed to its patents and expertise.

"As far as the emission reduction journey of the chemical industry is concerned, this technological leap is bound to become a major milestone. We have not only introduced the concept of electric heating for steam crackers for the first time in the world, but we also sincerely hope that this move can be highlighted in this type of high-temperature reaction. The reliability of key components. In terms of the timely promotion and industrial application of the technology, adequate financial support, and competitive renewable energy prices are two important prerequisites." said Bo Mueller, Chairman of the Executive Board of BASF Europe. This project is a key component of BASF's carbon management R&D program. Through the implementation of this plan, BASF expects to achieve further substantial reductions in its carbon dioxide emissions after 2030.

SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO Yusuf Al-Bayen said: “Innovation and cooperation are the foundation for the prosperity and development of the chemical industry. Only in this way can we effectively deal with issues including resource efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions. A series of global challenges. The agreement we reached this time while converging the knowledge of all parties, also clarifies the focus of project implementation, which is bound to effectively help those energy-intensive processes in our industry to achieve low-carbon transformation."

At present, the three parties to the agreement have applied for financial subsidies from the EU Innovation Fund and the Industrial Decarbonization Funding Program (a new project launched by the German Federal Ministry of Environment). For the construction of a multi-megawatt demonstration plant in the Ludwigshafen site of BASF, relevant evaluations are also underway. If the financing goes well, it will be officially opened in 2023 at the earliest.

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