Ethylene is mainly produced in chemical refineries by different cracking processes depending on the raw material/product stream used. In this process, heavier hydrocarbons are broken up at high temperatures to form C₂ and C₃ hydrocarbons, mainly unsaturated ethylene. Combined compression and distillation steps yield pure ethylene. Smaller volumes of ethylene are produced by passing ethyl alcohol vapours over dehydrating catalysts at 360–470°C. Ethylene may also be produced by the pyrolysis of ethane.
Ethylene is the starting material for many industrial syntheses. It is employed as an intermediate in the chemical industry and for the production of a huge variety of plastics. It is used for the production of many major chemicals:
Ethylene is used as a component in calibration gases for the automotive, gas, oil and chemical industries. It may be employed for welding and cutting, but it is not used for this purpose industrially. Ethylene is used for controlled ripening of fruit, especially bananas. Concentrations of a few ppm only are used in warehouse atmospheres. Because of flammability considerations, it is strongly recommended to use a mixture of ethylene in nitrogen in this application. Ethylene may require registration/authorisation to comply with local legal requirements on plant protection/growth regulator products. It has also been used in agriculture to promote crop growth: in these cases, the gas is injected directly into the soil. Ethylene, for this purpose, may be classified as a medical gas in some geographies and managed according to the relevant regulation. Ethylene is used as a refrigerant, especially in the petrochemical industry. It has the ASHRAE number R-1150.
Bofort provides hire, lease and rental services of cryogenic ISO tank container equipment, predominantly to specialized gas transportation companies, cryogenic gas manufacturers, nitrogen service companies, and other end-users.
We build to specifications and offer maximum flexibility to our clients. All of our equipment is suitable to carry and store gases in their liquid state, such as liquid nitrogen (LIN), liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid argon (LAR).
Whilst recognizing the need to have dedicated equipment for specific trades and products, most of our equipment is also suitable to carry and store carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O), ethylene, ethane and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
We keep a stock of ethylene ISO tank containers at designated depots to cater to short-term needs in the market including ethylene ISO tank hire, ethylene ISO tank lease and ethylene transportation. Rental periods: 1 week to 6 months.
We offer UN1038 ethylene ISO tank container rental services via medium and long-term operating lease structures – for clients who want operational and financial flexibility.
In addition to its cryogenic tank container rental and leasing services, Bofort advises on and arranges lease structures for specialist cryogenic equipment such as vaporizers and cryogenic pumps.
Bofort offers its services for the management of your bulk ethylene transportation and tank container fleet. We can act as your agent or representative in the acquisition and disposal of your tank containers.
If you need mobile ethylene storage or temporary ethylene storage contact us to find out more.
