Shell and Dow Start Up E-Cracking Furnace Experimental Unit

Milestone demonstrates significant step toward decarbonising a critical petrochemical manufacturing process.

• The e-cracking furnace experimental unit has been completed and is operational at the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam.

• The experimental unit will be used to test and validate critical e-cracker process hardware required for retrofitting today’s gas-fired steam cracker furnaces.

• Data from the experimental unit will be central to the design and construction of a multi-megawatt pilot plant.

• Development also continues on novel e-cracking technology which would enable zero carbon emissions cracking at economically competitive costs with conventional crackers.

Shell and Dow have started up an experimental unit to electrically heat steam cracker furnaces at the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This represents a key milestone in the companies’ joint technology programme to electrify steam cracking furnaces, bringing the companies one step closer to decarbonising one of the most carbon intensive aspects of petrochemical manufacturing.

Over the next year, the experimental unit will be used to test a theoretical electrification model developed for retrofitting today’s gas-fired steam cracker furnaces. Data generated by the unit will be used to validate the model and allow the electrification programme to advance to the next phase; the design and construction of a multi-megawatt pilot plant, with potential start-up in 2025, subject to investment support.

Image: Shell

Thomas Casparie, Senior Vice President of Shell’s Chemicals and Products business in Europe, said “Today, we have taken a great step forward in helping to decarbonise one of the central processes of our industry, while also supporting Shell’s goal to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050. I look forward to the results of the experimental unit and to continue this vital collaboration with Dow.”

“This milestone demonstrates that low carbon emissions manufacturing technologies are within reach,” said Keith Cleason, Vice President Dow Olefins, Aromatics and Alternatives business. “The collaboration with Shell has the potential to reshape the way our industry manufactures products in future decades.”

As the energy grid becomes increasingly renewables led, using renewable electricity to heat steam cracker furnaces could become one of the routes to decarbonise the chemicals industry. E-cracking furnaces operated using renewable electricity have the potential to reduce 90% of the scope1 emissions at economically competitive costs with conventional crackers.

Last year, the programme was awarded €3.5 million (USD4.2 million) in funding from the Dutch Government and incorporated The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT). The multi-company collaboration brings technical expertise and a common commitment to a low carbon-future. Furthermore, the collaboration aims to support emission reductions required to meet Shell and Dow’s targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.