Ethylene tar properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials and storage methods analysis

Ethylene tar properties

Ethylene tar (ethylene tar) is one of the by-products of ethylene industry. It is a high viscosity, dark brown to black liquid, with complex chemical composition, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzopyrene, alkynes, naphthalene compounds, phenolic compounds and so on. Ethylene tar has a complex molecular structure and high molecular weight, which makes it exhibit high viscosity and high density in physical properties. Its boiling point range is wide, ranging from 200 ℃ to 600 ℃, showing strong thermal stability and oxidation resistance. Because it contains a lot of aromatic hydrocarbons and other unsaturated compounds, ethylene tar has certain chemical activity.

Ethylene tar use

The main use of ethylene tar lies in its potential as fuel oil and chemical feedstock. As a fuel oil, ethylene tar can be burned in industrial boilers to provide high calorific value energy. Its high carbon content and high calorific value make it an affordable alternative fuel. Aromatic hydrocarbons and phenolic compounds in ethylene tar can be refined and separated to produce fine chemical products, such as carbon black, fuel oil additives, plastic plasticizers, etc. The aromatic hydrocarbon components of ethylene tar can also be used to produce various organic compounds, such as benzene, toluene, xylene, etc., which are important chemical raw materials.

Ethylene tar upstream feedstock

The production of ethylene tar is mainly derived from ethylene cracking units. Ethylene cracking is a process in which naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, etc. are used as raw materials to generate ethylene and other by-products through high-temperature cracking reactions. In this process, in addition to light hydrocarbons such as ethylene and propylene, ethylene tar is also produced as a heavy by-product. Therefore, the upstream raw materials of ethylene tar mainly include naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas. Naphtha is a light fraction extracted from crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas is mainly composed of propane and butane, and natural gas is mainly composed of methane.

Ethylene tar downstream products

The downstream products of ethylene tar are widely used in many fields. After proper treatment and separation, ethylene tar can be converted into high value-added chemical products. The aromatic hydrocarbon components in ethylene tar can be refined into various aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, xylene, etc., which are important raw materials for the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, synthetic rubber, etc. Ethylene tar can be used to make carbon black, which is widely used in the rubber and plastics industries as a filler and reinforcing agent. The phenolic compounds in ethylene tar can be used to make phenolic resin, which is an important industrial resin, widely used in adhesives, coatings, molding compounds and other fields.

Ethylene tar storage method

Due to the high viscosity and chemical activity of ethylene tar, its storage requires special handling methods. Storage containers must have corrosion resistance, usually corrosion-resistant metal materials or containers lined with anti-corrosion layers. Ethylene tar is easy to solidify at low temperatures, so it is necessary to maintain an appropriate temperature during storage. Heating and heat preservation measures are usually used to ensure that it is stored and transported in a liquid state. Thirdly, ethylene tar is easy to volatilize harmful gases, so it is necessary to prevent volatilization and leakage during storage, adopt a closed storage system, and be equipped with corresponding exhaust and ventilation equipment. In order to prevent the occurrence of fire and explosion accidents, the storage site should have good fire prevention measures and safety monitoring system.

Ethylene Tar Market Prospects

With the advancement of global industrialization and the growth of energy demand, the market demand for ethylene tar is on the rise. Especially in the field of fuel oil and chemical raw materials, ethylene tar has great market potential. As a substitute for fuel oil, it has high calorific value and economy, and is favored by the industry. In terms of chemical raw materials, aromatic hydrocarbons and phenolic compounds in ethylene tar can be converted into high value-added chemical products, which are widely used in plastics, rubber, coatings and other industries. In the future, with the progress of ethylene cracking technology and the improvement of ethylene tar refining process, the utilization rate and added value of ethylene tar are expected to be further improved.

Conclusion

Ethylene tar, as a by-product of the ethylene industry, has a complex chemical composition and diverse uses. It has broad application prospects in the field of fuel oil and chemical raw materials, but also puts forward higher requirements for storage and processing. By improving ethylene cracking and ethylene tar refining technology, the utilization rate and economic value of ethylene tar can be further improved to meet the growing market demand. With the adjustment of global energy structure and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, the green utilization and sustainable development of ethylene tar will also become an important research direction in the future.