Decarbonizing steam crackers: Key technical challenges of transitioning from natural gas to hydrogen

Smith Wattanasoponvanij is a Process Technology Engineer for Olefins and Operations Technology at SCG Chemicals Co. Ltd., Thailand, where he has worked in process design, and in research and development. He has been working more than 8 yr in technology development in various fields involving business and market studies, technology research, research and process design, and feasibility studies, among others. He has been trustful in scaling up and down with many successfully implemented cases.

Wiwut Tanthapanichakoon is a Technology Adviser, Olefins and Operations Technology for SCG Chemicals, and is an Emeritus Professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. He has 40 yr of teaching and research experience in heat and mass transfer operations, particle technology, aerosol engineering, and process analysis and simulation. Dr. Tanthapanichakoon was the founding Executive Director of the National Nanotechnology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand. He holds a B.Eng degree in chemical engineering from Kyoto University and a PhD in chemical engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.

Khavinet Lourvanij is the Chief Process Technologist for Olefins and Operations Technology at SCG Chemicals. He is responsible for leading new process technology scale-up and applications toward business interests. Dr. Lourvanij has more than 20 yr of experience in the petroleum and petrochemical industries, covering technology and operations, process development and execution, and the deployment of advanced technologies. He earned a BS degree in chemical technology from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, an MS degree and PhD (ChE) from Oregon State University (U.S.).

Apinan Soottitantawat has worked as an instructor for 15 yr in the chemical engineering department at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. He has experience teaching various chemical engineering subjects, including mass/momentum/heat transfer operations, particle technology, advanced reaction kinetics and reactor design, thermodynamics and chemical process design, among others. His research interests include the encapsulation process, process development and scale-up. He is an advisor for more than 50 graduated Master’s students and five graduated doctoral students, and has authored more than 70 articles.