Last updated on August 23rd, 2023 at 02:23 pm

Unleash the power of electric heaters for decarbonization. Delve into the transformative potential of electric heaters in the realm of hydrocarbon processing decarbonization. We explore how these advanced heating technologies can play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability within the industry. 

From examining the environmental advantages of electric heaters to showcasing real-world success stories, look at the valuable insights into the future of decarbonization efforts in hydrocarbon processing.

The effects of decarbonization efforts in hydrocarbon processing

Up until recently, hydrocarbon processing has had drastic impacts on the environment. In terms of people’s health, decarbonization releases greenhouse gases into the air, which take the form of particulates, radon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), moisture leading to mites and mold, and more. The particulate matter found in these substances is inhaled and affects physical health.

As well, the need for decarbonization over the years has only increased as the demand for new buildings, materials, and production has. This increases production costs, lowers fuel supply, and takes up more space.

However, many businesses around the globe are striving to be more environmentally friendly, not only to do better for the planet and its inhabitants, but also to improve operations. The installation of industrial electric heaters has demonstrated its advantages, as seen below.

How industrial electric heaters enable transformation

To balance energy supply with demand, future-proof businesses are implementing industrial electric heaters into their systems. Some industries are moving away from using gas-powered systems and instead electing to use electric heaters, which lower the adverse effects on the environment.

Electric heaters have undergone numerous improvements of late to ensure they can perform as well as gas-powered systems. The improvements include enhanced fluid dynamics, higher watt densities, a smaller footprint, less fouling, increased safety, and increased temperature control.

Reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability

Decarbonization refers to the changes we’re adopting to reduce carbon emissions. While this may have been a more difficult concept to adopt a decade ago, there are now perfectly qualified tools to implement actionable change.

Decarbonization can address many of the serious issues hydrocarbon processing creates, improving health, environmental, and economic factors.

Health: Decarbonization can lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, which lower the contamination of the air we breathe, the food and water we consume, and the weather we experience.

Environmental: Hydrocarbon processing is a factor in climate change. Its contributions to the environment would be altered with further decarbonization efforts. Emissions, discharges, and waste streams would be reduced, which has better implications for land use, water quality, biodiversity, toxic exposure, and waste generation.

Economic: Businesses that incorporate industrial electric heaters into their operations as opposed to gas heaters, for example, see lower operating costs, longer system lifespans, increased operations, and lower waste due to equipment failure. The cost goes down while production goes up, leading to increased profitability.

Industrial electric heaters are considered renewable energy sources. Thus, they have lower CO2 emissions compared to systems that use fossil fuels, lower or zero emissions of other pollutants, and less water consumption.

Success stories

While global goals haven’t been met yet, decarbonization efforts using renewable energy sources are showing many signs of success.

The Canadian Steel Producers Association has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20,000 tonnes per year by adopting new energy-efficient technologies.

Habitat for Humanity Manitoba has been busy building net-zero housing. Powered solely by hydroelectricity, these homes produce no greenhouse gases and have lower energy and heating costs as a result.

Maple Leaf Foods endeavours to lower its carbon footprint by avoiding emissions where possible and investing in high-impact carbon offset projects to counteract processes that can’t be addressed yet.

For more Canadian examples of businesses reducing carbon emissions with electric systems, click here. To get your business on the path to decarbonization and the hydrocarbon processing revolution, contact Wattco.