ExxonMobil Leading the Way: Decarbonizing Chemical Industry with Hydrogen in Baytown, Texas
Key Ideas
- ExxonMobil showcases new burner technology running on 100% hydrogen at Baytown Olefins Plant in Texas, achieving 90% reduction in CO2 emissions.
- Hydrogen is being used to power steam crackers in the chemical industry, traditionally a hard-to-decarbonize sector due to high heat requirements.
- Company plans to expand hydrogen-capable burners in additional furnaces and build a plant producing 1 billion cubic feet per day of hydrogen at Baytown.
- Switching to hydrogen can lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions, with ExxonMobil demonstrating a 90% reduction in direct CO2 emissions at the tested furnace.
ExxonMobil, a major energy company, has made significant strides in decarbonizing the chemical industry by demonstrating a new burner technology that can operate on 100% hydrogen fuel at its Baytown Olefins Plant in Texas. The company achieved a remarkable 90% reduction in direct CO2 emissions through this innovation. Traditionally, the chemical industry has been challenging to decarbonize due to the high heat requirements for processes like producing olefins, essential for plastics and modern materials. By utilizing hydrogen as a clean fuel source, ExxonMobil is pioneering sustainable practices in an industry known for its emissions.
The new pyrolysis burners designed by ExxonMobil can run on up to 100% hydrogen, enabling the production of ethylene and other olefins without CO2 emissions. The successful testing of these burners at 98% hydrogen concentration marks a significant milestone in the company's efforts to reduce emissions from olefins production. The company plans to scale up this technology by installing more hydrogen-capable burners in additional steam cracking furnaces at the Baytown plant in the coming years.
ExxonMobil is also planning to establish a plant at Baytown dedicated to producing hydrogen, with a capacity of up to 1 billion cubic feet per day. The company aims to capture and store over 98% of the CO2 emissions associated with hydrogen production, further contributing to its sustainability goals. By transitioning to hydrogen, ExxonMobil is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also setting an example for the industry on adopting cleaner energy sources.
The switch to hydrogen has proven to be an effective strategy for lowering CO2 emissions, as demonstrated by ExxonMobil's 90% reduction in direct CO2 emissions at the furnace equipped with the new burners. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, ExxonMobil is driving the industry towards a greener future through the adoption of hydrogen technology.