Applying a new configuration for thermal integration of ethane cracking and CLC processes to enhance the ethylene and hydrogen productions

Abstract

In this study, a new method for applying the chemical looping combustion (CLC) process instead of the furnace to provide the required heat for the ethane thermal cracking reactor has been suggested. It has been proposed that the new configuration of the ethane thermal cracking process be performed in the three separate series reactors. The structure of these new integrated reactors consists of three concentric cylinders. In the internal cylinder with a small diameter, the thermal cracking process is performed, while in the middle and external sides of new reactors, the oxidation and reduction processes of oxygen carriers are executed, respectively. The essential thermal energy for the endothermic ethane thermal cracking process is provided by the exothermic oxidation reaction in the air reactor. Furnace removal prevents nitrogen oxide emission, and a significant amount of carbon dioxide is recovered in the CLC process. According to the results of this new configuration, the ethylene and hydrogen production yields rise by about 12% and 15%, respectively, compared to the conventional ethane cracking reactor. Finally, the effects of design parameters such as inlet feed temperatures of the air, fuel and cracking reactors, as well as the mass flow rates of ethane and oxygen carrier on the performance of ethane thermal cracking have been investigated.