Ethylene
Our proprietary ethylene process is the most widely applied process for producing polymer-grade ethylene and propylene. The process features the SRT pyrolysis module with capacities of over 300 kta of ethylene for high olefins yields, reliable operation, and low investment. Gas turbine integration provides energy efficiency and Quick Quencher TLE provides low pressure drop and residence time, resulting in minimum yield degradation. The CDHydro process combines reaction and distillation in a single vessel and reduces energy consumption. The overall design approach emphasizes reliability, ease of operation, and broad feed flexibility at competitive costs.
Short Residence Time (SRT) Ethylene Furnace
Maximum efficiency in ethylene production
Our Short Residence Time (SRT®) Ethylene Pyrolysis Furnace is the global standard for ethylene production, accounting for over 40% of the world's capacity. This foundational technology offers unmatched feedstock flexibility and low operating costs, setting the stage for advanced petrochemical production. We complete this technology with integrated downstream solutions, including dimerization and Olefins Conversion Technology.
SRT Ethylene Pyrolysis Furnace
High yields, low cost, unmatched feedstock flexibility
Our powerful Short Residence Time (SRT®) Ethylene Pyrolysis Furnace cracks hydrocarbons rapidly and efficiently. The furnace processes a wide range of feedstocks, allowing producers to switch to the most economical options as market conditions change. The system’s patented Quick Quencher transfer line exchanger instantly cools the processed product, locking in high product yields and extending run lengths, reducing the frequency of costly shutdowns for maintenance. With its low operating costs, reduced energy consumption, and superior reliability, the Lummus SRT Ethylene Pyrolysis Furnace accounts for more than 40% of the world’s ethylene capacity.
What sets our tech apart:
- Achieves the highest possible yields of ethylene
- Delivers the lowest cost per ton of product possible
- Processes a wide range of feedstocks
Ethylene Dimerization
The gateway to propylene and sustainable aviation fuel
The starting point for both propylene production and sustainable aviation fuel, our Ethylene Dimerization technology can produce both 1-butene and 2-butene on a large scale, allowing producers to capture more value from existing assets. This simple and reliable process is unique in that it offers high selectivity toward 2-butene, which integrates seamlessly with our Olefins Conversion Technology to create a powerful, large-scale route from ethylene to propylene. We proudly offer this technology as an innovative way for producers with access to ethane-based ethylene to efficiently build new polypropylene capacity.
Olefins Conversion Technology
On-purpose propylene, on your terms
Our Technology's Olefins Conversion Technology (OCT) gives producers the control and flexibility to produce polymer-grade propylene using stranded C4 and/or C5 feedstocks. Using the Nobel-prize winning chemical reaction, olefin metathesis, OCT takes two relatively lower-value olefins, ethylene and butene, and converts them into higher-value propylene. This process offers the lowest CAPEX, cost of production and energy use per ton, giving operators a fast and economical way to grow propylene capacity. To date, our OCT is the only commercially demonstrated route to propylene using metathesis chemistry.
What sets our tech apart:
- Lowest CAPEX, cost of production, and energy use per ton
- Fast and economical
- Only commercial route to propylene using metathesis chemistry
Propylene & C4
Technologies:
We offer industry-leading technologies for every step of the C3 and C4 value chain, from production to purification. Our CATOFIN and CATADIENE dehydrogenation processes efficiently convert propane, isobutane and n-butane feedstocks into propylene, isobutylene, butenes and butadiene. To ensure final product quality for butadiene production, our globally preferred butadiene extraction technology isolates high-purity streams, while reducing investment and operating costs.
100
licensed CATOFIN and CATADIENE units worldwide
1/3
plants worldwide use BSAF Butadiene Extraction Technology
CATOFIN
The preferred propylene production process
Our CATOFIN process is a reliable and productive method for light paraffin dehydrogenation, converting isobutane, n-butane or propane into high-value olefins such as isobutylene, butenes and propylene. It leads the industry in conversion and selectivity, while delivering low operating costs and high on-stream efficiency. The process operates at a thermodynamically advantaged reactor pressure and temperature to maximize conversion of paraffins to olefins, reducing investment and operating costs. With our technology, producers can expand olefin capacity with confidence.
What sets our tech apart:
- High per pass conversion (48-53%) and catalyst selectivity (>88% for propylene, >90% for isobutylene)
- Single train capability exceeding 1,200,000 MTA, no need for hydrogen recirculation or dilution steam
- Fixed-bed reactors for reliable and robust operation
- Reliable and robust operation with high onstream factor
- No catalyst losses for environmentally sound design
- Low operating costs
- Reliability
- Meeting or exceeding nameplate capacity
Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC)
Technologies:
Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) is a foundational technology that uses advanced catalysts to "crack" heavy feedstocks into lighter, more valuable components. Our suite of FCC solutions provides proven, award-winning pathways for converting diverse feeds, from heavy residues to naphtha. These processes are key to maximizing yields of propylene, ethylene, and aromatics for petrochemical use.
Indmax
Maximizing FCC propylene
Our Indmax FCC technology is a proven solution for converting heavy residues directly into propylene, ethylene, and butylenes. Developed in partnership with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) R&D, this technology combines IOCL's proprietary Indmax catalyst and process concepts with Lummus' state-of-the-art FCC hardware. Indmax FCC is a unique solution for the vertical integration of refinery and petrochemical complexes. This flexible technology can be adopted in new grassroots refinery and petrochemical complexes or to overhaul existing FCC/RFCC units, enhancing light olefin production with only minor hardware modifications.
What sets our tech apart:
- Received the HP 2020 award for Best Refining Technology
Single Regenerator Dual Catalyst (SRDC)
Ultra-high olefin and aromatics yields
Our Single Regulator Dual Catalyst (SRDC) technology is a secondary reactor system that is a cost-effective solution for converting Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) gasoline, coker naphtha and C4 LPG into high-yield propylene, ethylene and aromatics-rich naphtha. SRDC repurposes existing FCC units to effectively maximize light olefins and aromatics while minimizing gasoline. This technology can also be employed to maximize the production of light olefins, such as propylene from a grassroots FCC unit, without sacrificing any conversion in the primary reactor.
What sets our tech apart:
- Received the HP 2021 Award for Best Refining Technology
Crude to Chemicals (TC2C)
Technologies:
Developed jointly by Lummus Technology, Saudi Aramco Technologies Company, and Chevron Lummus Global, Thermal Crude to Chemicals (TC2C™) technology is a groundbreaking advancement in our industry. By re-envisioning the integration of crude separation, crude conditioning, and steam cracking, TC2C eliminates traditional refining steps to achieve crude to chemical yields exceeding 80%.
80%+
chemical yield increases
3.2M
tons annual production capacity, first licensed as part of S-OIL’s Shaheen project in 2020
30%+
CAPEX and OPEX savings compared to conventional processes
TC2C
Maximum flexibility, superior yields, and lower carbon intensity
Our TC2C process converts a wide range of crudes, from condensates to heavy grades such as Arab Medium, directly into value-added chemicals. By tailoring the hydrogen content of the crude, the process creates an optimum feed for mixed feed steam crackers. Unlike other legacy systems, TC2C offers unmatched operational flexibility: Operators can shift product slates including between chemicals and fuels (e.g., ultra-low sulfur diesel) with no additional capital investment. Recent enhancements further cut capital investment while significantly lowering carbon intensity compared to conventional complexes. A one-of-a-kind process, TC2C is quickly becoming a pivotal technology in the transition to sustainable production.
What sets our tech apart:
- Diversified feedstocks
- Superior chemicals yield and product flexibility
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Reduced capital investment
- Increased energy efficiency
- Novel proprietary separation devices
- Breakthrough hydrocracking catalyst
Gas Processing
Technologies:
Since 1970, Lummus Technology has completed more than 300 gas plant projects, 250 sulfur recovery units and 270 acid gas removal units. Our broad technology portfolio, patented processes and Randall Gas legacy offers customers reliable and energy-efficient solutions across the entire natural gas value chain. From small to large capacities, standard or custom designs, we have a gas processing solution to fit your requirements.
>30
BSCFD of gas processing plant capacity using Lummus’ processes
99.9+%
overall sulfur recovery
270+
AGRUs designed worldwide
Hydrocarbon Recovery
Maximizing NGL and LPG recovery with >99% efficiency
Our hydrocarbon recovery technology provides gas processors with a comprehensive suite of proprietary processes designed to maximize natural gas liquids (NGL) and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) production with ultra-high product recovery with low power consumption. Featuring industry-leading solutions like NGL-MAX℠, NGL-MAX℠-LNG, LPG-MAX℠, HPA℠, IPOR℠ and Benz-Free℠, our designs offer unmatched operational flexibility.
What sets our tech apart:
- Ultra-high product recoveries
- Ultra-high product recoveries
- Low CAPEX
- Low power requirement
- High CO2 tolerance
- Available in standard modularized designs for faster deployment
Sulfur Recovery
Meeting the world’s strictest emission standards
As a global leader in sulfur recovery, we offer a fully integrated portfolio designed to achieve up to 99.99% recovery efficiency and meet the world's strictest emission standards. Our solution combines the proven Claus-based Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU) with the high-performance Resulf™ tail gas treating unit (TGTU) for total sulfur management. Enhanced by proprietary innovations like the Claus Combustor™ and capacity-boosting oxygen injection systems, our sulfur recovery technology provides refiners with a safe, reliable, and flexible pathway to environmental compliance backed by hundreds of installations worldwide.
What sets our tech apart:
- Integrated design
- Custom specification capability
- Proven scale
- Operational flexibility
Acid Gas Removal
Meeting strict gas specifications with flexible solvent solutions
Our acid gas removal technologies include extensive gas conditioning and treating capabilities, including the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to ensure safety, prevent equipment corrosion, and meet pipeline specifications. We have designed acid gas removal plants using a variety of solvents, including generic MEA, MDEA, DGA, DEA, activated MDEA and proprietary solvents from several solvent vendors.
What sets our tech apart:
- Solvent versatility - Generic amines and proprietary amines from several solvent vendors
- Integration and optimization with Lummus’ technologies
- Unmatched experience
Energy Transition
As the world transitions to a circular economy, managing plastic waste has become a critical priority. Our advanced energy transition technologies are at the forefront of this transformation, providing comprehensive solutions for producers to achieve their sustainability goals and creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for all.
80+
years of industry-leading heater technology for process and power industries
40%
less electricity consumed by our Advanced Ionics Hydrogen than alkaline and PEM technologies
23%
ethanol conversion and up to 93% selectivity of ethanol to acetaldehyde for our Synthos Bio Butadiene tech
Net Zero Ethane Cracker
First in the world to achieve zero CO2 emissions
Our Net Zero Ethane Cracker is the first in the world to achieve zero CO2 emissions, decarbonizing a highly carbon-intensive manufacturing process. Our innovative cracking heater design eliminates methane or carbon-based fuel combustion, resulting in significantly reduced fuel firing demand. The design further optimizes performance through enhancements in the recovery section and a strategic shift from steam turbines to electric drivers for major compressors. Applicable to both new builds and existing facility retrofits, this technology provides producers with a scalable, commercially viable pathway to net-zero ethylene production.
What sets our tech apart:
- Industry's first
- Reliability
- Energy efficiency
- Low investment cost
Hybrid Cracking Heater (SRT-h) / Complete Electrical Cracking Heater (SRT-e)
Decarbonizing the heart of the ethylene plant
Leveraging our proven Short Residence Time (SRT) technology, we offer two advanced decarbonization solutions for cracking heaters, the primary source of CO2 emissions in ethylene plants. The SRT-h hybrid cracking heater provides a seamless option for revamps or new designs, improving energy efficiency while maintaining reliability and run length with minimal modifications. For fully electrified operations, the SRT-e complete electrical cracking heater uses a modular, unit-cell design that enables scalable deployment within a reduced footprint for grassroots plants or expansions. By ensuring uniform heat distribution and precise process control, these technologies eliminate the need for large spare heaters and help producers reduce emissions without compromising performance.
What sets our tech apart:
- Reduced CO2 emissions ranging from 15 to 100% reduction.
- Utilizes the industry-leading SRT reactor which is successfully deployed in hundreds of operating units worldwide
- Proven safety, reliability and performance
EtE Evergreen
Renewable ethylene at scale
EtE (ethanol-to-ethylene) EverGreen™ process technology produces polymer-grade, plant-based ethylene that works as a seamless replacement for conventional ethylene in polyethylene production. Proven for over 15 years at commercial scale, EtE Evergreen not only allows producers to make high-performance, renewable polyethylene, but also polypropylene, alkylate, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other bio-based products. The world’s largest (260 kTA ethylene) commercial plant is in successful commercial operation since starting up in 2010. This technology is now available for license. opening the doors for producers to become greater participants in the global energy transition.
What sets our tech apart:
- Produces green ethylene
- Unprecedented production flexibility (Ethanol to X)
- World’s first renewable alkylate produced from renewable ethylene
Ethanol to Propylene
Renewable ethanol to high-value polymer grade propylene
Our Ethanol to Propylene (ETP) technology provides producers with a flexible, low-carbon pathway to produce high-value propylene from renewable ethanol. This solution is not a single technology but an integrated, commercially proven process that combines two of our core technologies. The process first converts ethanol into ethylene using our highly reliable EtE process and then uses our industry-leading Olefins Conversion Technology (OCT) to efficiently convert that ethylene into polymer-grade propylene. By leveraging proven, low-risk, and reliable technologies, this ETP solution offers producers a capital-efficient and flexible way to meet the growing global demand for bio-based chemicals.
What sets our tech apart:
- Unprecedented production flexibility
- Fast and economical
- Only commercial route to propylene using metathesis chemistry
Advanced Ionics Hydrogen
Green hydrogen for under $1/kg
Our green hydrogen technology enables producers to achieve sustainability without sacrificing profit by producing green hydrogen for less than a dollar per kilogram. This breakthrough solution uses Advanced Ionics’ Symbion™ water vapor electrolyzer, which harnesses low-cost, clean electricity and onsite industrial waste heat to reduce electricity consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional alkaline and PEM technologies. The system's modular design relies on widely available components rather than expensive rare-earth metals, significantly lowering capital costs and simplifying deployment. Combine all this with Lummus’ global engineering scale, and you have a cost-effective, decarbonized pathway for the refining, gas processing, and petrochemical industries.
What sets our tech apart:
- Symbiotic integration into existing industrial facilities
- Water vapor electrolysis
- Building materials abundantly available
- Modular scalability
- Lower energy requirements
- A low-cost green hydrogen solution
Oxidative Coupling of Methane (OCM)
Unlocking the potential of methane
The Oxidative Coupling of Methane (OCM) technology transforms abundant, low-cost methane into high-value commodity chemicals through an efficient and scalable catalytic process. At the core of this solution is the proprietary Gemini® OCM reactor and catalyst, which converts methane to ethylene in a proprietary catalytic reactor system which can simultaneously crack ethane and propane into additional olefins. Designed for seamless integration into existing industry infrastructure, the process maximizes production flexibility and efficiency. By unlocking the potential of methane, this technology offers a sustainable pathway to reduce oil dependence and emissions while significantly increasing profitability for gas producers.
What sets our tech apart:
- Reliable and robust with high on-steam factor
- Low-value gas stream upgraded to valuable olefins
- Site decarbonization
- Feedstock flexibility
- Lower investment and operating cost
Synthos Bio Butadiene
Decarbonizing the Synthetic Rubber Industry
Our Synthos Bio-Butadiene technology provides a sustainable, renewable pathway to produce high-purity butadiene from ethanol, significantly reducing reliance on fossil-based feedstocks. Using a highly efficient two-step catalytic process, the system converts bio-based feedstock into raw butadiene, which is then purified using the proven Lummus/BASF butadiene extraction technology. The design maximizes energy efficiency by recovering byproduct streams to use as internal fuel sources for the process heaters. This integrated approach offers producers a commercially viable, low-carbon solution for the synthetic rubber and polymer industries.
What sets our tech apart:
- Renewable feed source
- Two step catalytic process
- Low ethanol consumption
- Internal products recovered for process heating
- High purity raw BD product reduces Butadiene Extraction Unit cost
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