(120a) Powering the Transition to Net-Zero: Update on Technology Demonstration of Electric Cracking Furnaces and Future Integration Options into Petrochemical Sites

Being the largest greenhouse gas emission source in petrochemical plants, the electrification of traditionally fossil fired cracking furnaces is a highly anticipated technology development with the potential to reduce direct CO₂ emissions from steam cracking by more than 95%.

As of October 2023, demo plant construction of the two electric cracking furnaces at BASF in Ludwigshafen (Germany) is in full swing and the consortium partners BASF, SABIC and LINDE are expecting the commissioning, start-up as well as first operational results with excitement. This conference contribution will update on the latest developments associated with demo unit.

The authors will furthermore share their detailed view on how electric cracking furnaces are integrated into existing and new petrochemical sites. Conventionally fired cracking furnaces are highly integrated units, preheating feedstock and delivering the cracked gas as well as energy streams to the separation section. Replacing fired furnaces with electrical units or adding electric cracking furnace to a given site will have a significant impact on the whole energy balance of the plant. Showcase examples highlight tailored electric cracking furnace integration solutions, developed for site-specific constraints. An outlook will be given on how such integration can be designed today to ensure a smooth implementation of electric cracking furnace projects at commercial scale.