ETHANE EVAPORATORS
Engineered evaporator systems for converting liquid ethane (C&sub2;H&sub6;) to gas-phase feed in petrochemical, ethylene, and natural gas processing plants. Shell-and-tube, falling-film, and plate-type configurations. ASME U fabrication, HTRI-validated thermal design, cryogenic material expertise — delivered from our ~38,000 m² workshop in Zhangjiagang, China.
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Ethane evaporators are critical equipment in the petrochemical industry, converting liquid ethane to gaseous ethane for downstream processing.
Ethane (C&sub2;H&sub6;) is a colorless, odorless hydrocarbon — the second member of the alkane series. It typically constitutes 5–10% of raw natural gas by volume, second only to methane. In modern gas processing and ethylene plants, efficient ethane vaporization directly impacts feed quality, energy consumption, and overall plant throughput.
Lmart designs and fabricates ethane evaporators in shell-and-tube, falling-film, and plate-type configurations. Every unit undergoes HTRI thermal simulation and is manufactured under ASME U certification with full radiographic examination of cryogenic welds.
- Boiling point −88.6°C — requires cryogenic-grade materials throughout
- Enhanced heat-transfer surfaces deliver 30%+ improvement over plain-tube baselines
- Smart PID control maintains outlet superheat within ±1°C
- Integrated energy-recovery circuits reduce utility consumption by 25%
ETHANE PROPERTIES
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C&sub2;H&sub6; |
| Molecular weight | 30.07 g/mol |
| Boiling point | −88.6°C |
| Critical temperature | 32.17°C |
| Critical pressure | 4.87 MPa |
| Heat of vaporization | 14.7 kJ/mol |
| Content in natural gas | 5–10 vol% |
EVAPORATION PROCESS FLOW
Four-stage sequence from liquid ethane feed to gas-phase product.
- Stage 1 — Liquid Ethane Feed: Cryogenic liquid enters from storage or NGL fractionation at −89°C
- Stage 2 — Preheat to −50°C: Sensible heating via heat recovery from downstream product streams
- Stage 3 — Evaporation to −40°C: Phase change occurs in the evaporator core using hot-oil, steam, or glycol-water as heating medium
- Stage 4 — Gas-Liquid Separation: Knockout drum removes residual liquid droplets; dry ethane vapor exits to cracker or pipeline
SEPARATION PROCESS
Key operating parameters for ethane recovery from mixed NGL streams.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating pressure | 2.0–3.0 MPa |
| Column overhead temperature | −85°C |
| Ethane recovery rate | ≥ 95% |
| Product purity | ≥ 99% |
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Engineering advantages built into every Lmart ethane evaporator.
ENHANCED HEAT TRANSFER
Twisted-tube, low-fin, and corrugated-plate internals boost heat-transfer coefficients by 30%+ over plain surfaces. HTRI-validated thermal design ensures guaranteed performance at turndown.
SMART PID CONTROL
PLC-based control system (Siemens S7 / Allen-Bradley) with cascade PID loops maintains outlet superheat within ±1°C. HMI provides real-time process visualization and alarm management.
ENERGY RECOVERY
Integrated cold-energy recovery exchanges between incoming liquid feed and outgoing vapor product. Reduces overall heating-medium consumption by 25%, lowering operating cost and carbon footprint.
INHERENTLY SAFE DESIGN
Double-block-and-bleed isolation, SIL-rated safety instrumented functions, pressure relief per API 520/521, and material selection per ASME II Part D for cryogenic service down to −196°C.
LMART CAPABILITIES
- ASME U Stamp — shop and field fabrication
- PED 2014/68/EU — CE marking
- ISO 9001:2015 — quality management
- HTRI member — licensed thermal simulation
- DNV / BV / LR / ABS — classification approvals
- ~38,000 m² workshop — 300+ staff
- Cryogenic expertise — 304L, 316L, nickel alloys
APPLICATIONS
Where ethane evaporators are deployed across the hydrocarbon and chemical value chain.
ETHYLENE PRODUCTION
Ethane is the primary feedstock for steam-cracking furnaces. Evaporators convert stored liquid ethane to controlled-superheat vapor feed, directly affecting cracker yield and selectivity.
FUEL GAS SUPPLY
Vaporized ethane supplements natural gas networks for industrial burners and power generation. Higher heating value (1,561 BTU/scf) compared to methane provides efficient combustion.
REFRIGERANT SERVICE
Ethane serves as a refrigerant in cascade and mixed-refrigerant cooling cycles for LNG plants and deep-cryogenic processes operating below −80°C.
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCK
Beyond ethylene, vaporized ethane feeds chlorination (vinyl chloride), oxidative dehydrogenation, and other organic synthesis routes in specialty chemical production.
EVAPORATOR CONFIGURATIONS
Three proven configurations — selected based on duty, footprint, fouling tendency, and client preference.
| Type | Best For | Heat-Transfer Area | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shell & Tube (TEMA BEM/BEU) | Large-capacity, high-pressure service | Up to 2,000 m² | Proven cryogenic reliability, easy tube replacement |
| Falling-Film Evaporator | High ΔT, fouling-prone fluids | Up to 1,200 m² | Short residence time, uniform film distribution |
| Plate-Type (Welded / BPHE) | Compact footprint, moderate duty | Up to 500 m² | 60% smaller footprint, high thermal efficiency |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions from EPC engineers and procurement teams about ethane evaporators
What types of ethane evaporators does Lmart offer?
Lmart designs and fabricates three configurations: shell-and-tube (TEMA BEM/BEU) for large-capacity, high-pressure duties with heat-transfer area up to 2,000 m²; falling-film evaporators for services with high temperature differentials or fouling-prone fluids; and welded-plate / brazed-plate heat exchangers for compact installations. Configuration selection is driven by the process datasheet — specifically the duty, operating pressure, available heating medium, and footprint constraints.
What materials are used for cryogenic ethane service?
All wetted components contacting liquid ethane at −88.6°C are fabricated from cryogenic-grade austenitic stainless steels (304L, 316L) or nickel alloys per ASME II Part D. Impact testing (Charpy V-notch) is performed at the minimum design metal temperature per ASME VIII UCS-66. Gaskets are selected for cryogenic cycling, and bolting materials are specified per ASTM A320 L7/L43 for low-temperature flange integrity.
How is thermal performance guaranteed?
Every ethane evaporator is thermally designed using HTRI Xchanger Suite with the actual process conditions from the client’s heat-and-mass balance. We guarantee the duty, outlet temperature, and pressure drop. Enhanced heat-transfer internals (twisted tubes, low-fin tubes, or corrugated plates) are applied where they deliver measurable improvement — typically 30%+ over plain-tube performance. Shop hydrotest and optional performance test verify the design before shipment.
What certifications and codes apply?
Ethane evaporators are fabricated under ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1 (U Stamp) or PED 2014/68/EU (CE marking) depending on the destination. TEMA standards govern exchanger mechanical design. Our facility holds ISO 9001:2015 and supports third-party inspection by DNV, BV, Lloyd’s Register, ABS, TÜV, and client-appointed inspectors. Full NDE (RT, UT, PT, MT) per code requirements is standard.
Can ethane evaporators be delivered as skid-mounted packages?
Yes. Lmart supplies ethane evaporator skid packages that include the evaporator, gas-liquid separator (knockout drum), control valves, instrumentation, PLC panel, safety relief valves, interconnecting piping, and structural baseframe. Skid-mounted delivery reduces field installation time and eliminates site welding on cryogenic joints. All skids are FAT-tested at our ~38,000 m² Zhangjiagang workshop before shipment.
What is the typical lead time?
Standard ethane evaporators are delivered in 12–16 weeks from approved-for-fabrication drawings. Skid-mounted packages with full EPC documentation, cryogenic material procurement, and third-party inspection typically require 16–22 weeks. All pressure components are manufactured in-house by our 300+ staff, eliminating sub-vendor delays. A milestone schedule with hold/witness points is issued at project kickoff.
REQUEST A QUOTATION
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