ETHYLENE REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS
EPC-Ready Ultra-Low Temperature (-104 °C) Skids for MTO, PE/PP Tail Gas Recovery & Ethylene Tank Farms. R-1150 Refrigerant. ASME & Class Certified. Capacities to 15 MW.
APPLICATION TYPES
Specialized Ethylene refrigeration configurations for petrochemical and LNG processing.
ETHYLENE LIQUEFACTION
MTO utility and auxiliary Ethylene liquefaction for chemical complex integration. Reference: 1,848 kW delivered.
PE TAIL GAS RECOVERY
Low-temperature recovery of Ethylene from PE/PP off-gas streams to minimize loss. Reference: 400 kW delivered.
ETHYLENE TANK FARM
Integration storage refrigeration maintaining tank pressure and Ethylene inventory. Reference: 740 kW delivered.
MULTI-STAGE CASCADE
Propylene pre-cooling combined with Ethylene final stage for maximum COP efficiency. Up to 15 MW total capacity.
COMPRESSOR SELECTION
Matched to process duty and CAPEX targets.
- API 617 Centrifugal — High-capacity Ethylene service; multi-stage; suitable for >3 MW systems
- Oil-Injected Screw — Flexible capacity, lower CAPEX, suitable for 400–2,000 kW range
- Cascade Pre-cooling — Propylene (R-1270) first stage reduces compressor duty and improves overall COP
- Variable Speed Drive — VFD-controlled for partial-load efficiency and process flexibility
HEAT TRANSFER & MATERIALS
Cryogenic-grade alloys validated via HTRI Xist.
- High-Nickel Alloy (SB536 N08330) — Steam generators and evaporators for cryogenic stability
- Inconel N06600 — High-flux cryogenic service exchangers
- Stainless 304L / 316L — Standard shell & tube and piping components
- HTRI Thermal Verification — All exchanger designs validated via HTRI Xist software
CORE PARAMETERS
- -104 °C — Minimum evaporation temperature
- 15 MW — Maximum system capacity
- ASME U — Full NBIC-registered fabrication
- 600+ PQR — All cryogenic weld grades covered
- 6 Class Societies — DNV, ABS, BV, LR, NK, CCS
EPC DELIVERY STANDARDS
Full turnover documentation and witness testing as standard.
- API 617 / API 619 compressor design standard
- ASME VIII Div.1 & Div.2 — Pressure vessels & exchangers
- PED 2014/68/EU — CE marking for EU market
- ASME BPVC VIII-1/2, API 660, GB 150/151
- Vendor Data Book — Closeable turnover package
- FAT witness — EPC / TPI witness plan at kickoff
DELIVERED PROJECT REFERENCES
Ethylene refrigeration packages with documented FAT evidence and full turnover packs.
| Project Scope | Capacity | Refrigerant | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethylene Liquefaction — MTO Utility | 1,848 kW | R-1150 (Ethylene) | ASME U |
| PE Tail Gas Recovery | 400 kW | Ethylene Glycol | ASME U |
| Ethylene Integration Storage | 740 kW | R-1150 (Ethylene) | ASME U |
| Multi-Stage Cascade System | 3,200 kW | Propylene / Ethylene | ASME U + PED |
TYPICAL SYSTEM COP BY APPLICATION
Representative coefficient of performance from delivered Ethylene refrigeration projects.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions from EPC engineers and procurement teams about Ethylene refrigeration systems
What is an Ethylene refrigeration system and when is it needed?
An Ethylene refrigeration system uses R-1150 (Ethylene) as the refrigerant to achieve ultra-low temperatures down to -104 °C. It is essential in petrochemical processes including Ethylene separation, MTO utility cooling, PE/PP tail gas recovery, and Ethylene tank farm pressure maintenance. These systems are required wherever process temperatures fall below what propylene refrigeration can reach (-40 °C).
What compressor types are used in Ethylene refrigeration?
Two main types: API 617 centrifugal compressors for high-capacity service (>3 MW, multi-stage, high efficiency), and oil-injected screw compressors for the 400–2,000 kW range (lower CAPEX, flexible capacity). Cascade configurations with propylene pre-cooling are common for improving overall COP. VFD control is available for partial-load optimization.
What materials are used for cryogenic Ethylene service?
High-nickel alloys (SB536 N08330) for steam generators and evaporators, Inconel N06600 for high-flux cryogenic exchangers, and stainless 304L/316L for standard shell-and-tube components and piping. All heat exchanger designs are validated through HTRI Xist thermal simulation software. Material test certificates per EN 10204 3.1/3.2 are standard.
What certifications does LMART hold for this equipment?
ASME U Stamps (NBIC-registered), PED 2014/68/EU for CE marking, and approval from six major classification societies: DNV, ABS, BV, LR, NK, and CCS. We maintain 600+ welding procedure qualifications (PQR) covering all cryogenic material grades used in Ethylene service. ISO 9001 quality management system certified.
What is the typical system capacity range?
Single-stage Ethylene systems range from 400 kW to 3,200 kW cooling capacity. Multi-stage cascade systems (propylene + Ethylene) can deliver up to 15 MW total capacity. We have delivered systems from 400 kW (PE tail gas recovery) to 3,200 kW (multi-stage cascade) with documented FAT evidence and full vendor data books.
What is the typical lead time and documentation scope?
Standard Ethylene refrigeration packages: 20–28 weeks depending on compressor procurement lead time. Documentation includes GA drawings, P&ID, data sheets, material test certificates (EN 10204 3.1/3.2), weld maps, NDE reports, hydrostatic test certificates, HTRI thermal reports, and complete operation/maintenance manuals. FAT witness plan agreed at project kickoff.
DISCUSS YOUR ETHYLENE PROJECT
Submit your process parameters and our engineering team will respond with a data-backed technical proposal within 24–48 hours.