27-01-2022
ABB and Coolbrook MoU to reduce emissions in petrochemical market
ABB and Finnish technology company Coolbrook have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to commercialize and accelerate the adoption of Roto Dynamic Reactor (RDR) technology in a bid to significantly reduce GHG emissions in steam cracking plants. The agreement will unite the two companies’ expertise and create a combined offering of Coolbrook’s novel electrically driven RDR technology and ABB’s integrated, pre-engineered energy solutions, initially for use in petrochemical and chemical markets.
Olefins, such as ethylene and propylene, are the key raw materials used in the chemical industry — primarily for polymer production. Currently, the leading technology for olefin production is steam cracking by high-temperature pyrolysis (thermal decomposition) of primarily hydrocarbon feedstock, diluted with steam inside a cracking furnace.
Coolbrook’s novel turbomachine will be able to replace a conventional furnace by directly imparting the rotor shaft’s mechanical energy to the hydrocarbon fluid. This is achieved by aerodynamic action through a rotating blade flow. When powered by electricity from renewable sources, the technology completely eliminates CO2 emissions in the steam cracking process. Coolbrook technology can also be operated with various feedstocks, including recycled and renewable feedstocks.
This groundbreaking RDR technology will be underpinned by ABB’s expertise in delivering automation, electrification and digitalization to optimize operational processes and simplify integration. ABB will further enhance the energy efficiency of Coolbrook’s solution through the integration of its electric motors and variable speed drives. The combined ABB and Coolbrook offering will facilitate and accelerate the uptake of this groundbreaking technology, enabling petrochemical and olefin producers to meet their net zero ambitions.
According to the International Energy Agency’s ‘Tracking Industry 2021’ report, direct global CO2 emissions from chemicals and petrochemical processes amounted to 1.2 billion metric tons in 2020[1]. Electrifying process industries will significantly reduce carbon emissions, and ABB has committed to support their customers in reducing their annual CO2 emissions by 100 million metric tons by 2030.
Ilpo Kuokkanen, Executive Chairman of Coolbrook, said: “Coolbrook has set a target to build a committed and comprehensive ecosystem around its revolutionary RDR technology to commercialize it as soon as possible. ABB will become a key partner in that ecosystem with the aim of accelerating the process substantially. Our RDR technology and ABB’s technology perfectly complement each other. Together, we will offer a first of its kind electric, carbon-free solution for one of the biggest industrial processes in the world.”
Applying a standardized and modular approach, the collaboration will support customers from FEED stage and incorporate RDR package, electric motor and drive, automation, safety, power distribution, instrumentation and analyzers, condition monitoring and full digitalization. As a result, chemical producers will benefit from increased operational yields, lower operating costs, easier maintenance and lower capital costs.
Colin Ward, Senior Vice President for ABB Energy Industries Chemicals & Refining, added: “Electrification of steam crackers in ethylene production provides a pathway to reduce emissions in these processes by 300 million metric tons annually worldwide. ABB is working with partners to bring sustainable solutions to enable our customers to reduce GHG emissions, waste and energy usage, while responsibly supporting the world’s energy transition.”
News Category:
-
Beyond processbook & PI vision: Exploring today’s industrial analytics tools
(Webinar) - In the Manufacturing 4.0 era, industrial organizations have more data at their fingertips than ever, offering the promise of higher production rates, more ...
04-06-2024
-
MOL inaugurates its polyol complex in Tiszaújváros
MOL's EUR 1.3 billion polyol complex in Tiszaújváros, boasting a capacity of around 200,000 tonnes of polyol per year, has been inaugurated. The ceremony, addressed ...
15-05-2024
-
NEXTCHEM completes the acquisition of GasConTec
Further to the announcement made on 4 March 2024, MAIRE announces that NEXTCHEM has finalized the acquisition of 100% of GasConTec GmbH, an innovative company specialized ...
15-05-2024
-
KBR awarded digital solutions contract by OCI
KBR announced today it has been awarded a contract by OCI Global to design and deploy its proprietary operator training simulator for OCI's 3,000 metric tonnes ...
13-05-2024
-
Worley awarded Bayou Bend CCS carbon capture and storage facility contract
We’ve been selected to design and evaluate CO2 gathering, handling and sequestration facilities located along the Gulf Coast in Southeast Texas. Bayou Bend ...
13-05-2024
-
Black & Veatch delivers feasibility study for Andes Energy LNG Terminal
Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure solutions leader Black & Veatch has completed a feasibility study for the planned Andes Energy Terminal, LNG regasification ...
09-05-2024
-
Shell to sell interest in Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park to CAPGC
Shell Singapore Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Shell plc, has reached an agreement to sell its Energy and Chemicals Park in Singapore to CAPGC Pte. Ltd., a joint venture company ...
08-05-2024
-
Integrated Global Services recognized for role in mega turnaround
Integrated Global Services has been recognized as a major contributor to the successful Ras Tanura Refinery 2024 Mega Turnaround and Inspection for Saudi Arabian Energy ...
08-05-2024
-
Ebara Elliott Energy to provide compressor for SAF project in Thailand
Ebara Elliott Energy, formerly Elliott Group, announces it has been contracted to provide a motor-driven recycle compressor with a variable frequency drive (VFD) for ...
07-05-2024
-
ETH Zurich select hte to provide high throughput test system designed for CO2 electroreduction
hte – the high throughput experimentation company was awarded a contract by the technical university ETH Zurich to provide a high throughput test system designed for ...
07-05-2024