Oil, heat and molecular chains - a new drive for the steam cracker

The VEM Group and the chemical company BASF have been working closely together for many years. This year too, the traditional German company provided replacement engines for the previously delivered main engine. Its place of operation is the heart of the BASF plant in Ludwigshafen, the steam cracker.

The VEM Group and the chemical company BASF have been working closely together for many years. This year too, the traditional German company provided replacement engines for the previously delivered main engine. Its place of operation is the heart of the BASF plant in Ludwigshafen, the steam cracker.

In the steam cracker, the long hydrocarbon chains of naphtha are broken down into shorter molecular chains using steam. The resulting substances in turn form the basis for plastics, solvents, pesticides, paints and other common household applications.

With its engines, VEM supplied the main drive of the boiler feed water pump for one of BASF's five steam crackers worldwide. Due to the enormous stress and heat in the petrochemical process, the engines run for five years at a time between two overhauls before a new drive is used.

The VEM group of companies always impresses BASF with its powerful and innovative drives, as well as with decades of experience and comprehensive, individual customer support. Not least because of the work according to the highest German standards and the reliability of the power systems, VEM is a strong and competent partner for customers and companies worldwide.