Internally Heated Crackers for Decarbonization and Optimization of Ethylene Production

Abstract

Ethylene is a crucial precursor for a diverse spectrum of products and services. As global production exceeds 150 million tons annually and is projected to surpass 255 million tons by 2035, the imperative for sustainable and efficient ethylene production becomes increasingly clear. Despite Externally Heated Crackers (EHCs) dominating ethylene production for over a century, they face intrinsic limitations that necessitate transformative solutions, including intense radial thermal gradients, high metal demand, and substantial CO2 emissions. This study employs a robust combination of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) coupled with detailed chemical kinetics to rigorously assess selected configurations of Internally Heated Crackers (IHCs) against the leading EHC designs. Our findings reveal that IHCs exhibit the potential to enhance ethylene output by a factor of 1.66 when compared to EHCs of the same length, diameter, and surface temperature. These results herald a promising era for developing more efficient cracking reactor designs, poised to redefine the landscape of sustainable chemical manufacturing towards achieving Net-Zero emissions. Embracing innovative technologies like IHCs presents an opportunity for the chemical industry to make significant strides in reducing its environmental footprint while meeting the growing global demand for ethylene and its derivatives.