Ethylene Production from Ethane
Ethylene Production Costs Report | Issue B | Q4 2024
Report Details |
1,200 kta United States-based plant | Q4 2024 | 107 pages |
This report presents a cost analysis of a 1,200 kta (kilo metric ton per annum) United States-based plant. You can add a customized cost analysis, assuming another location (country), when ordering a premium edition of this report.
Report Abstract
This report presents the economics of Polymer Grade (PG) Ethylene production from ethane in the United States. In the process under analysis, ethane is thermally cracked in pyrolysis furnaces through the use of steam, yielding Ethylene. A hydrogen-rich gas is generated as by-product.
The report provides a comprehensive study of Ethylene production and related Ethylene production cost, covering three key aspects: a complete description of the Ethylene production process examined; an in-depth analysis of the related Ethylene plant capital cost (Capex); and an evaluation of the respective Ethylene plant operating costs (Opex).
The Ethylene production process description includes a block flow diagram (BFD), an overview of the industrial site installations, detailing both the process unit and the necessary infrastructure, process consumption figures and comprehensive process flow diagrams (PFD). The Ethylene plant capital cost analysis breaks down the Capex by plant cost (i.e., ISBL, OSBL and Contingency); owner's cost; working capital; and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up. The Ethylene plant operating costs analysis covers operating expenses, including variable costs like raw materials and utilities, and fixed costs such as maintenance, labor, and depreciation.
Process Schematic

The process can be divided in three main parts: (1) Cracking & Quenching; (2) Compression & Drying; and (3) Separation.
Cracking & Quenching. Ethane and dilute steam are fed to furnaces in which, under high severity conditions, ethane is cracked forming ethylene and some by-products. The furnace outlet stream is subsequently fed to a water-based quench, to prevent further reactions and formation of undesirable by-products. From the quench tower the cracked gas is directed to compression and drying.
Compression & Drying. The compression of the cracked gas is performed across 5 stages. After the third stage of compression, carbon dioxide and sulfur are removed from the cracked gas by caustic soda and water washes in a caustic scrubber. After caustic wash, the cracked gas is fed to a fourth compression stage and then sent to the separation steps.
Separation. The product from fourth compression stage is fed into a column for removing C3+ hydrocarbons. The top product from this column, composed primarily of ethylene and ethane, is fed to the last compression stage (not shown in the diagram). The compressed gas is fed to an acetylene converter and then to a cold box for hydrogen and light hydrocarbons removal, ensuring that ethylene losses are minimal. At this point, the product from the chilling train is fed to two more separation columns. In the first column, methane is obtained from the top and further used in the cold box, while the bottom stream is fractionated in the C2-splitter. In this column, high-purity ethylene is drawn from the column as a side stream. Ethane, from C2-splitter bottom, is recycled to the cracking furnaces.
Up-to-date PDF Report
Professional report based on Q4 2024 economic data, ensuring timely evaluations.
Multiple Use Cases
Ideal for investment screening, feasibility studies, cost estimates, and research planning.
Proven Methodology
Developed using a consistent methodology honed over a decade, ensuring reliable cost analyses.
Compact
$799 USD
Production Process Information
Process Consumptions
Labor Requirements
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Operating Cost Summary
Production Costs Datasheet
Pages | Tables | Images
Read-only Online PDF Format
Updated with Q4 2024 Data
DETAILED
$1,599 USD
Production Process Information
Process Consumptions
Labor Requirements
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Operating Cost Summary
Production Costs Datasheet
Plant Capital Cost Details
Operating Cost Details
Pages | Tables | Images
Downloadable PDF Format
Updated with Q4 2024 Data
PREMIUM
MOST POPULAR
$2,699 USD
Production Process Information
Process Consumptions
Labor Requirements
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Operating Cost Summary
Production Costs Datasheet
Plant Capital Cost Details
Operating Cost Details
Plant Cost Breakdowns
Plant Capacity Assessment
Process Flow Diagrams
Costs in Different Countries Add-on
Pages | Tables | Images
Print-enabled PDF Format Add-on
Updated with Q4 2024 Data
Share with Co-workers
Technical Support via Email
Content Highlights
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Summary outlining the capital cost required for building the Ethylene production plant examined
Plant Capital Cost Details
Detailing of fixed capital (ISBL, OSBL & Owner’s Cost), working capital and additional capital requirements
Plant Cost Breakdowns
Breakdown of Ethylene process unit (ISBL) costs and infrastructure (OSBL) costs; plant cost breakdown per discipline
Operating Costs Summary
Summary presenting the operating variable costs and the total operating cost of the Ethylene production plant studied
Operating Cost Details
Detailing of utilities costs, operating fixed costs and depreciation
Plant Capacity Assessment
Comparative analysis of capital investment and operating costs for different Ethylene plant capacities
Production Process Information
Block Flow Diagram, descriptions of process unit (ISBL) and site infrastructure (OSBL)
Process Consumptions
Raw materials and utilities consumption figures, by-products credits, labor requirements
Process Diagrams
Process flow diagrams (PFD), equipment list and industrial site configuration
Other Ethylene Production Cost Reports
PG Ethylene from Ethanol (Similar to Scientific Design Process)
This report approaches the economics of Green Polymer Grade (PG) Ethylene production from hydrous ethanol using a dehydration process similar to the process developed by Scientific Design. In this process, the reaction system is composed of only one reactor and one furnace. The study also assumes a plant constructed in the United States.
Details: 250 kta United States-based plant | Q4 2024 | 107 pages | Issue O From $799 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 250 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
CG Ethylene Production from Ethanol
This report approaches the economics of Green Chemical Grade (CG) Ethylene production from hydrous ethanol using a dehydration process similar to the process developed by Scientific Design. In this process, the reaction system is composed of only one reactor and one furnace. The study assumes a plant constructed in the United States.
Details: 250 kta United States-based plant | Q4 2024 | 107 pages | Issue Q From $799 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 250 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
Could Not Find the Report You Need?
Obtain a Bespoke Report
Get a report targeting the process in which you are interested
See Offer Details
Understand Bespoke Reports and how you can easily order them
Check Editions & Pricing
Complete a brief form and see a quotation for your Bespoke Report
Other Related Production Cost Reports
Homopolymer HDPE from Ethylene (Similar to MarTECH Loop Slurry)
This report presents the economics of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) production from polymer grade (PG) ethylene in the United States, using a slurry loop process similar to Chevron Phillips MarTECH and INEOS INNOVENE S. In this process, the monomers are polymerized in a single loop reactor.
Details: 450 kta United States-based plant | Q4 2024 | 107 pages | Issue F From $799 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 450 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
Propylene Production from Ethylene and Butenes
This report presents the economics of Polymer Grade (PG) Propylene production from ethylene and raffinate-2. The process under analysis consists in a metathesis process similar to Lummus Technology's Olefins Conversion Technology (OCT). The economic analysis performed assumes a plant located in the United States.
Details: 350 kta United States-based plant | Q4 2024 | 107 pages | Issue A From $799 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 350 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
+800 Reports Developed, Targeting +250 Commodities
Best-in-Class Reports
Analysis of capital and operating costs of commodity production processes. Prices starting at $799 USD
Vast Report Library
858 independent and up-to-date reports examining embryonic and established production processes
Free Sample Reports
Quickly understand the structure and depth of content of our professional reports