C₂H₄ · 28.05 g/mol
C₂H₄
Core olefin building block
Molecular Weight
28.05 g/mol
State
Gas
Catalyst
Zeolite (H-ZSM-5) for MT
Reactor
Fluidized bed for MTO to

Olefinverbund Integration
Inputs
**Carbon Dioxide** (Feedstock), **Hydrogen** (Feedstock)
→
Product
Ethylene
→
Chemistry & Engineering
| Reaction | 2CO₂ + 6H₂ → C₂H₄ + 4H₂O (via Methanol or FT) |
| Thermodynamics | Endothermic dehydrogenation ΔH > 0; FT is Exothermic |
| Catalyst | Zeolite (H-ZSM-5) for MTO path; Iron/Cobalt for FT |
| Reactor class | Fluidized bed for MTO to manage heat; Fixed bed for FT |
| Note | Extraterrestrial production favors the Methanol-to-Olefins (MTO) route due to high CO₂ specificity compared to generic Fischer-Tropsch. |
Applications
- Polyethylene production
- Ethylene oxide / ethylene glycol
- Styrene and other aromatics
- Solvents and intermediates
Extraterrestrial Production Pattern
- Source CO₂ from atmosphere (Mars) or industrial processes
- Generate H₂ via water electrolysis (lunar ice / Martian water)
- Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to produce hydrocarbons
- Catalytic dehydrogenation to yield ethylene
Reaction Diagram
C2H6 -> C2H4 + H2
Unit Operations
Process steps following chemical engineering unit operation principles
| # | Operation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feed Preheat | Heat hydrocarbon feed to 500-600°C |
| 2 | Steam Dilution | Mix with steam (0.3-0.5 steam/HC ratio) |
| 3 | Pyrolysis | Thermal cracking in tubular furnace at 800-900°C, <1s residence |
| 4 | Quenching | Rapid cooling to 350°C to stop reactions |
| 5 | Compression | Multi-stage compression with intercooling |
| 6 | Cryogenic Separation | Demethanizer, deethanizer, C2 splitter at -100°C |
S88 Batch Control Model
ISA-88 BatchML schema — simplified for educational purposes
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!-- ISA-88 Batch Control Model for Ethylene -->
<!-- Educational schema - simplified for demonstration -->
<BatchML xmlns="http://www.wbf.org/xml/B2MML-V0600">
<ProcessCell ID="ETHYLENE_CRACKER_CELL">
<Description>Process cell for Ethylene production</Description>
<Unit ID="ETHYLENE_CRACKER">
<Description>Main synthesis unit</Description>
<!-- Equipment Modules -->
<EquipmentModule ID="PREHEATER">
<Description>Preheater</Description>
</EquipmentModule>
<EquipmentModule ID="STEAM_MIXER">
<Description>Steam Mixer</Description>
</EquipmentModule>
<EquipmentModule ID="CRACKING_FURNACE">
<Description>Cracking Furnace</Description>
</EquipmentModule>
<EquipmentModule ID="QUENCH_TOWER">
<Description>Quench Tower</Description>
</EquipmentModule>
<EquipmentModule ID="COMPRESSOR">
<Description>Compressor</Description>
</EquipmentModule>
<EquipmentModule ID="COLD_BOX">
<Description>Cold Box</Description>
</EquipmentModule>
</Unit>
</ProcessCell>
<MasterRecipe ID="ETHYLENE_CRACKER_RECIPE">
<Description>Master recipe for Ethylene</Description>
<ProductID>ETHYLENE</ProductID>
<UnitProcedure ID="ETHYLENE_CRACKER_UP">
<Description>Unit procedure for synthesis</Description>
<Operation ID="OP_01">
<Description>Operation 1</Description>
<Phase ID="PREHEAT">
<Description>Preheat phase</Description>
<PhaseLogic>
<Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
</PhaseLogic>
</Phase>
</Operation>
<Operation ID="OP_02">
<Description>Operation 2</Description>
<Phase ID="DILUTE">
<Description>Dilute phase</Description>
<PhaseLogic>
<Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
</PhaseLogic>
</Phase>
</Operation>
<Operation ID="OP_03">
<Description>Operation 3</Description>
<Phase ID="CRACK">
<Description>Crack phase</Description>
<PhaseLogic>
<Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
</PhaseLogic>
</Phase>
</Operation>
<Operation ID="OP_04">
<Description>Operation 4</Description>
<Phase ID="QUENCH">
<Description>Quench phase</Description>
<PhaseLogic>
<Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
</PhaseLogic>
</Phase>
</Operation>
<Operation ID="OP_05">
<Description>Operation 5</Description>
<Phase ID="COMPRESS">
<Description>Compress phase</Description>
<PhaseLogic>
<Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
</PhaseLogic>
</Phase>
</Operation>
<Operation ID="OP_06">
<Description>Operation 6</Description>
<Phase ID="SEPARATE">
<Description>Separate phase</Description>
<PhaseLogic>
<Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
<Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
</PhaseLogic>
</Phase>
</Operation>
</UnitProcedure>
</MasterRecipe>
</BatchML>
Process CellPhysical grouping of all production equipment
UnitMajor equipment performing the synthesis
Equipment ModulesIndividual devices: reactors, columns, absorbers
PhasesLowest control level: REACT, SEPARATE, PURIFY
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