Electrification of Compressor in Steam Cracker Plant: A Path to Reduced Emissions and Optimized Energy Integration

Electrification is a highly effective decarbonization and environmental incentive strategy for the chemical industry. Nevertheless, it may lead to downstream challenges in the process. This study analyzes the consequences of electrifying compressors within the steam cracker (SC) condensate system, f...

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Main Authors: Joana Cordeiro Torcato, Rodrigo Silva, Mário Eusébio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:ChemEngineering
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-7084/9/3/55
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author Joana Cordeiro Torcato
Rodrigo Silva
Mário Eusébio
author_facet Joana Cordeiro Torcato
Rodrigo Silva
Mário Eusébio
author_sort Joana Cordeiro Torcato
collection DOAJ
description Electrification is a highly effective decarbonization and environmental incentive strategy for the chemical industry. Nevertheless, it may lead to downstream challenges in the process. This study analyzes the consequences of electrifying compressors within the steam cracker (SC) condensate system, focusing on the reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption without compromising the process’s energy efficiency. The aim is to study the impact that the reduction in steam expanded by turbines has on boiler feedwater (BFW) temperature and, subsequently, the behavior it triggers in fuel gas (FG) consumption and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions in furnaces. It was concluded that condensate imports from the Energies and Utilities Plant (E&U) would increase by a factor of four, with approximately 60% of the imported condensate being cold condensate. The study revealed a mitigation of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, resulting in a 1.3% reduction and a reduction in FG consumption of 1.8% preventing an increase in site energy consumption by 795.4 kW in furnaces. Condenser optimization reduces CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 60%. Energy integration with quench water resulted in heat saving of 1824 kW in hot utility consumption and generating annual savings of EUR 2.3 M. The global carbon dioxide balance can achieve up to a 25% reduction.
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spelling doaj-art-01dc7be18a9d4003b452f67c867a7b5a2025-06-25T13:37:03ZengMDPI AGChemEngineering2305-70842025-05-01935510.3390/chemengineering9030055Electrification of Compressor in Steam Cracker Plant: A Path to Reduced Emissions and Optimized Energy IntegrationJoana Cordeiro Torcato0Rodrigo Silva1Mário Eusébio2LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA FCT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, PortugalRepsol Polímeros, S.A., Complexo Petroquímico, Aptd. 41 Monte Feio, 7520-954 Sines, PortugalLAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA FCT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, PortugalElectrification is a highly effective decarbonization and environmental incentive strategy for the chemical industry. Nevertheless, it may lead to downstream challenges in the process. This study analyzes the consequences of electrifying compressors within the steam cracker (SC) condensate system, focusing on the reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption without compromising the process’s energy efficiency. The aim is to study the impact that the reduction in steam expanded by turbines has on boiler feedwater (BFW) temperature and, subsequently, the behavior it triggers in fuel gas (FG) consumption and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions in furnaces. It was concluded that condensate imports from the Energies and Utilities Plant (E&U) would increase by a factor of four, with approximately 60% of the imported condensate being cold condensate. The study revealed a mitigation of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, resulting in a 1.3% reduction and a reduction in FG consumption of 1.8% preventing an increase in site energy consumption by 795.4 kW in furnaces. Condenser optimization reduces CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 60%. Energy integration with quench water resulted in heat saving of 1824 kW in hot utility consumption and generating annual savings of EUR 2.3 M. The global carbon dioxide balance can achieve up to a 25% reduction.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-7084/9/3/55condensate networkelectrificationsteam crackerenergy integrationdecarbonization
spellingShingle Joana Cordeiro Torcato
Rodrigo Silva
Mário Eusébio
Electrification of Compressor in Steam Cracker Plant: A Path to Reduced Emissions and Optimized Energy Integration
ChemEngineering
condensate network
electrification
steam cracker
energy integration
decarbonization
title Electrification of Compressor in Steam Cracker Plant: A Path to Reduced Emissions and Optimized Energy Integration
title_full Electrification of Compressor in Steam Cracker Plant: A Path to Reduced Emissions and Optimized Energy Integration
title_fullStr Electrification of Compressor in Steam Cracker Plant: A Path to Reduced Emissions and Optimized Energy Integration
title_full_unstemmed Electrification of Compressor in Steam Cracker Plant: A Path to Reduced Emissions and Optimized Energy Integration
title_short Electrification of Compressor in Steam Cracker Plant: A Path to Reduced Emissions and Optimized Energy Integration
title_sort electrification of compressor in steam cracker plant a path to reduced emissions and optimized energy integration
topic condensate network
electrification
steam cracker
energy integration
decarbonization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-7084/9/3/55
work_keys_str_mv AT joanacordeirotorcato electrificationofcompressorinsteamcrackerplantapathtoreducedemissionsandoptimizedenergyintegration
AT rodrigosilva electrificationofcompressorinsteamcrackerplantapathtoreducedemissionsandoptimizedenergyintegration
AT marioeusebio electrificationofcompressorinsteamcrackerplantapathtoreducedemissionsandoptimizedenergyintegration