Abstract:

Through the comparison of yield characteristics of ethylene plant with different raw materials, the particularity of ethane cracking is shown. Based on a 1000 KTA ethane cracking plant and the assumed prices of natural gas, ethane and electricity, the hydrogen recovery cost of ethane cracking plant is obtained. If natural gas is used as the substitute heat for hydrogen, the hydrogen recovery cost depends on the price of natural gas. In regions where the natural gas price is high, the hydrogen recovery cost is relatively high and the market competitiveness is weak. If ethane is used as the substitute heat for hydrogen, when the ethane price is low, the hydrogen recovery cost of ethane cracking is close to that of coal to hydrogen, showing strong market competitiveness.

Key words:  , ethane cracking；hydrogen recovery；cost