Advancements in Environmentally Sustainable Technologies for Ethylene Production

Abstract

Rapid advancements in renewable energy and the staggering environmental impact of ethylene production have made the quest for "green ethylene" urgent. This Review explores traditional and emerging methods for ethylene production, focusing on the transition from conventional to electrified processes. The global importance of ethylene industry, valued at $230 billion, cannot be overlooked. However, its significant contribution of 150 million t of annual CO 2 emissions necessitates adopting carbon-negative and sustainable approaches. The declining cost of renewable energy has sparked interest in electrified processes, including electric crackers and electrochemical reactors for ethylene production. This Review provides a balanced overview of the performance attributes of conventional reactors, such as conversion, selectivity, and operating temperatures, and the crucial features of electrochemical reactors, including Faradaic efficiency and current density. Operating electrochemical reactors poses their own challenges, such as corrosion and lower energy efficiencies, which are discussed in detail. The Review also examines the economic aspects of "green ethylene" production, identifying challenges and opportunities. A comprehensive roadmap is presented to meet the global production scale of green ethylene. This roadmap outlines the steps needed to transition from conventional to electrified processes, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally friendly future for ethylene production. In summary, we emphasize the urgent need for carbon-negative ethylene production and provide transition pathways from conventional to electrochemical processes. The Review also provides insights into the performance attributes of different reactors, discusses their challenges, and presents an economic analysis.

Review on CO2 Management: From CO2 Sources, Capture, and Conversion to Future Perspectives of Gas-Phase Electrochemical Conversion and Utilization

“…However, with upcoming improvements in electrocatalytic conversions, such as the development of highly stable nanocatalysts, ethylene and liquid alcohols such as ethanol and propanol as more valuable products could be achieved. 400 Overall, some limitation in commercial-ization such as high cost of catalysts and their deactivation by carbonate deposition, hindrance of CO 2 diffusion to the electrode surface, and complicated procedures remained unsolved. Improvements in activity and stability of the catalysts and reactor design are essential aspects in the development of CO 2 conversion technologies.…”

“…Until now, behind CO and formic acid, the yields of other products are commonly much too low to be of commercial interest. However, with upcoming improvements in electrocatalytic conversions, such as the development of highly stable nanocatalysts, ethylene and liquid alcohols such as ethanol and propanol as more valuable products could be achieved . Overall, some limitation in commercialization such as high cost of catalysts and their deactivation by carbonate deposition, hindrance of CO 2 diffusion to the electrode surface, and complicated procedures remained unsolved.…”

Effect of Reactor Alloy Composition on Coke Formation during Butane and Ethane Steam Cracking

“…Steam cracking, carried out in high-temperature furnaces, is one of the most important processes for producing foundational chemicals like olefins and aromatics. − Simultaneously, it stands as a relatively energy-intensive technology, with cracking furnaces constituting a significant proportion of energy consumption within a petrochemical plant. , It is clear then that even a slight change in the process can bring attractive economic benefits. Coke is a byproduct during steam cracking that forms and deposits on the inner wall of the reactor coils and has adverse effects on the process.…”

Ethylene production: process design, techno-economic and life-cycle assessments

“…11,12 As a consequence, there is a global search for technological advancements and process optimizations that could improve the efficiency and sustainability of ethylene manufacturing. 13,14…”