• Rotating Olefins Cracker (ROC) technology will advance the global energy transition by decarbonizing olefin production processes
• Demonstration project selected by the Cracker of the Future Consortium of industry majors
Technip Energies and Siemens Energy announced an exclusive agreement to jointly develop, commercialize, and license the Rotating Olefins Cracker (ROC) technology to decarbonize olefin production processes. The ROC technology employs a dynamic reactor system that replaces conventional furnaces used for pyrolysis when manufacturing light olefins - the building blocks for chemical products used in everyday materials, from packaging to polymers.
The ROC technology offers driver flexibility, and when driven by electric-powered motors or hydrogen-fired gas turbines, the technology leads the path to decarbonize the process used to produce light olefins. The decarbonization impact is even more significant when the electric power or hydrogen fuel is derived from renewable sources. The ROC process is also expected to have better first pass olefins yields with similar operating costs compared to the currently commercially available technologies.
The companies have already validated the fundamentals of the reactor technology in laboratory testing and intend for the first turbomachinery prototype to enter factory testing in the first half of 2022. Both companies bring specialized experience to commercializing this technology : Siemens Energy contributes its expertise in turbomachinery, while Technip Energies has extensive knowledge in pyrolysis cracking to produce light olefins and process integration.
As a significant milestone in the commercialization of this groundbreaking technology, Technip Energies and Siemens Energy entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cracker of the Future Consortium (COF) on October 4, 2021. The MoU expresses the intent of the parties to negotiate a contract to install a hydrocarbon demonstration unit utilizing the ROC technology in a plant operated by one of the COF members.
The COF comprises major industry players, Borealis (part of OMV), BP, Repsol, TotalEnergies, Versalis, and coordinator Brightlands Chemelot Campus. The COF selected the ROC technology after assessing more than a dozen electricity-based heating technologies for olefin crackers.
Stan Knez, Chief Technology Officer at Technip Energies, said: “The ROC technology is a step-change in cracking technology that leads to a significant reduction in greenhouse gases when combined with clean energy sources. This collaboration with Siemens Energy highlights our commitment to decarbonization, and we are delighted to have the ROC technology selected for the COF demonstration unit.”
Thorbjörn Fors, Executive Vice President, Industrial Applications at Siemens Energy, declared: “It is our ultimate goal to turn ideas into reality as we support our customers in transitioning to a more sustainable world. Engaging directly with major operators in the Cracker of the Future Consortium is a great opportunity to materialize this objective. Furthermore, by working together with our partner Technip Energies, we are taking an important step towards driving decarbonization forward.”
Walter Vermeiren, Chair of the Cracker of the Future Consortium, said: “The ROC technology is a new paradigm in chemical process technology, as heating hydrocarbon molecules by converting the molecular kinetic energy into heat so that that thermal cracking can occur, has never been done before. The Cracker of the Future Consortium is delighted to cooperate with Siemens Energy and Technip Energies on this unique opportunity.”
About Technip Energies
Technip Energies is a leading Engineering & Technology company for the energy transition, with leadership positions in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen and ethylene as well as growing market positions in blue and green hydrogen, sustainable chemistry and CO2 management. The company benefits from its robust project delivery model supported by extensive technology, products and services offering.
Operating in 34 countries, our 15,000 people are fully committed to bringing our client’s innovative projects to life, breaking boundaries to accelerate the energy transition for a better tomorrow.
Technip Energies is listed on Euronext Paris with American depositary receipts (“ADRs”) traded over-the-counter in the United States.
For further information: www.technipenergies.com.
Contacts
Technip Energies
Annette Morgan
Tel: +1 281-249-2475
Email: [email protected]
Siemens Energy
Janet Ofano
Phone: +1 803-389-6753
E-mail: [email protected]
Cracker of the Future Consortium
Lia Voermans
Phone: +31 (0)6 22 541 453