EDC Furnaces for a Competitive Edge
Pioneering EDC Designs since 1959
EDC is produced from the oxychlorination of ethylene and is used in the production of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), a key component in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
As a leading supplier of EDC cracking furnaces, we advanced from our first installation in 1959 to subsequently supply the majority of EDC furnaces worldwide. These builds utilize both our unique and advanced offset convection section design - with coil support outside the firebox for ease of accessibility and inspection - and traditional upright designs with inline convection sections above the radiant box.
Our list of "firsts" includes the world's first operational electric steam cracking furnace, supporting both indirect and direct heating models. Our e-EDC furnaces have the ability to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions induced by the heating process by up to 100% - either by using up to 100% hydrogen as the fuel or by electrifying the furnace.
Need help with your existing furnace? Our PLANTSERV® and engineering teams are ready to support your journey by carving out efficiency gains through upgrades and repairs. They can even advise on ways to accelerate your decarbonization journey by revamping conventionally fired EDC furnaces to run on electricity or hydrogen.
Fired EDC: Highlights
- Furnace capacities in excess of 300 kilotons / annum (kta)
- Highly efficient, unique offset convection section design with dynamic tube support system for high performance, long run times and longer tube life
- Designed for ease of operation and maintenance
- Building on our experience with all major licensors and designs
- Close collaboration with our licensors and with you to fine-tune performance and conversion rates
- Right delivery model for your business needs - engineering and procurement or lump-sum turnkey delivery and assembly at your site
Proven Path to Electrification
Our electrification concepts are increasingly resonating with petrochemical companies looking to decarbonize their operations. This is where our unique combination of EDC process know-how and proven real-world electrification reference base comes into play. Customers know they can trust in the experience we have gained - stretching from the first EDC furnace in 1959 to the world's first electric steam cracker demo in 2024. Scale-up concepts for commercial deployments spanning both indirect and direct heating models are now available.
Ideal for fired EDC retrofits, electrically heated furnaces or heaters offer a host of potential benefits. First and foremost, you can improve carbon management by almost eliminating heat-induced CO2 emissions. In addition, you can protect existing investments by reusing existing foundations in many cases. Your electric heater will sit on the same footprint as your fired EDC furnace.
Similar to our EDC offering, our electric furnaces and revamp projects are available as full turnkey packages spanning engineering, procurement and construction (EPC). Our end-to-end offering even includes thermal oxidizers for chlorine-containing gases if required.
e-EDC: Highlights
- Indirect electrical process gas heating: Sidewall burners replaced with electric heating wire (690/400 V)
- Efficient by design: Electric duty required is approximately the same as fired furnaces
- Lower electric losses: Preheating by means of medium-voltage circulation heaters possible
- Longer runtimes: Larger tube pitch increases window and thus reduces maldistribution in heat flux
- Hybrid solutions possible: Hydrogen firing in inlet section with higher heat flux and electric heating on lower section with lower heat flux possible
- Customization: Engineering and build adapted to individual needs and priorities