Dow and Shell claim progress in development of low-emission crackers

Following announcement of a joint development agreement in June 2020, Dow and Shell have reported progress on their technology program to electrically heat steam cracker furnaces. This new route has the potential to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions from one of the central processes of the chemical industry.

The companies confirm that the joint program has been awarded €3.5 million in MOOI (Mission-driven Research, Development and Innovation subsidy) scheme funding by the Netherlands Government. They also announce joining forces with The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT). This multi-company collaboration aims to accelerate key milestones for the near-term progress and longer-term breakthroughs needed.

The companies say that in the first year, the program has advanced electrification solutions for today’s steam crackers while also pursuing technologies for novel designs of electrified crackers in the longer-term. The dual-path approach aims to support emission reductions required to meet the companies’ 2030 CO₂ ambitions and their targets to achieve net zero emissions businesses by 2050 or sooner, in line with the Paris Agreement. Joint teams in the Netherlands and the United States have deployed their expertise in electrical design, metallurgy, hydrocarbon technology and computational fluid dynamics to narrow down concepts, validate emissions benefits, advance patents, demonstrate the durability of electric heating elements and partner with equipment suppliers.

The companies are now evaluating construction of a multi-megawatt pilot plant, with potential start-up in 2025, subject to investment support.

The two new collaborators say they bring further expertise and a common commitment to a low-carbon future. TNO has deep knowledge in high-temperature heat transfer applications and plays a leading role in identifying innovative electrical technologies that could be deployed in industry. It is a founding partner of the Field Laboratory Industrial Electrification in Rotterdam. ISPT is focused on the system integration of preferred concepts, connecting the dynamics of breakthrough technologies with those of utilities and infrastructure in the chemicals industry through the energy transition.

Thomas Casparie, Executive Vice President of Shell’s global chemicals business, said, “Being selected for funding from the Dutch Government is a vote of confidence in the initial progress of this joint e-cracking program, and its potential to help transform the chemicals industry,” said Thomas Casparie, Executive Vice President of Shell’s global chemicals business. “The effort is an example of genuine cross-company collaboration to accelerate decarbonisation, and it’s great to have our two new partners aboard.”

“Our multi-disciplined team has forged a strong working foundation and made significant progress in the first year of our multi-generational plan,” said Keith Cleason, Vice President Dow Olefins, Aromatics and Alternatives business. “We are pleased to add ISPT and TNO to the joint program as they bring complementary expertise and share the same drive to bring viable, low-carbon technologies online as soon as they are feasible.”

Image: Shell Moerdijk, The Netherlands