A Systematic Electrification Approach: Electrifying Natural Gas Processing for a Net-Zero Future

This work presents a systematic approach to evaluate heat electrification as a decarbonization strategy for the chemical industry, using a natural gas processing plant as a case study. Heat pumps and electrode boilers are primarily selected as electrified technologies to replace conventional ones. Electrified technologies data was collected through a literature review to facilitate the evaluation of their technical feasibility. Pinch technology was employed to optimize energy utilization within the plant to generate minimum utilities needed as a base point for electrification. Multiple scenarios were adopted within the case study including conventional heating utilities both on-site and off-site, 100 % electrified heating systems, and electrified solutions using only heat pumps. Composite Curves generated from Pinch technology were used to systematically place the electrified technology based on heat loads and temperature targets. The electrified case study resulted in an 83 % reduction in minimum heating requirements, using heat pumps to leverage waste heat that would otherwise require cooling utilities. Despite the significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and over 30 % decrease in energy consumption, electrification incurred higher Total Annualized Cost (TAC). Minimum Marginal Abatement Cost curves (Mini-MAC) were used for a cost-effective comparison of electrification options. This study provides general guidelines and a framework for assessing and implementing electrification as a pathway towards a sustainable, net-zero future for industrial processes.