Lummus Technology, a global provider of process technologies and value-driven energy solutions, has announced major advancements to the Lummus External Air Preheater (LEAP) technology. The latest innovations can significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from cracking heaters at ethylene plants, as well as other fired heaters.
“Lummus is committed to decarbonizing our entire technology portfolio, and these advancements underscore the continued progress we are making in meeting our commitments,” said Leon de Bruyn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lummus Technology. “This announcement builds on Lummus’ recent launch of the industry’s first net zero ethane cracker, plus other innovations, that will help operators and producers lower emissions from their investments.”
Now available for commercial use, the LEAP technology can be applied to both new and existing heaters to help decarbonise some of the most carbon-intensive petrochemical manufacturing processes. Some of the technology’s enhanced features include:
- Lower fuel firing.
- Much higher thermal efficiency.
- Implementation in existing heaters with minimal mechanical changes.
- Ability to combine with selective catalytic reduction systems to minimise nitrogen oxides emission.
For more than half a century, Lummus has designed and supplied a wide range of fired heaters and heat exchangers for the petrochemical and refining industries, which include refinery heaters, steam superheaters, heaters for delayed coking units and steam reformers, and SRT® (short residence time) pyrolysis heaters for ethylene production.