Shell, Schneider Electric and Axens install first industrial‑scale electric tubular heater at Shell Rheinland
- First industrial‑scale Electric Tubular Heater installed at the R3 base oil project at Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland in Germany.
- Heater uses Axens’ Heurtey Petrochem Solutions Electric Tubular Radiant Heater technology enabled by Schneider Electric.
- The electric heater replaces conventional fired heating and is designed to operate with zero direct CO₂ and NOx emissions.
- Schneider Electric supplied a modular prefabricated power package integrated with Shell’s site, enabling fast power modulation, precise heating control and compliance with Shell’s power‑quality requirements.
Project overview
Shell, Schneider Electric and Axens have installed an industrial‑scale Electric Tubular Heater at the R3 base oil project at Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland. The installation is presented as the first of its kind at industrial scale in Europe and forms part of Shell’s project to repurpose the site and reduce its carbon footprint by replacing fired heating with an electric alternative.
Technology
At the core of the installation is Axens’ Heurtey Petrochem Solutions Electric Tubular Radiant Heater technology, enabled by Schneider Electric and designed as a low‑carbon alternative that meets the process requirements of base oil distillation services.
Integration and operation
Schneider Electric supplied a modular, prefabricated power solution including electrical distribution switchgear, transformers and a power control system that interfaces with Axens’ process control. The package is fully integrated with Shell’s existing site infrastructure to support safe, reliable and optimised operation.
Impact and collaboration
The integrated power‑and‑process approach enables fast, accurate power modulation, fine‑tuned heating control, high operability and compliance with Shell’s power‑quality and design requirements, illustrating how combined process, electrical engineering and automation capabilities can advance industrial decarbonisation at scale.
Source: Axens