General CharacteristicsEthylene is manufactured by pyrolysis of oil fractions. It is a colourless, non-toxic, extremely combustible, easily inflammable gas.
Ethylene is used as a monomer for the production of polymers (polyethylene and its copolymers), intermediate product for the production of monomers (ethylbenzene, vinyl chloride etc.) and other chemicals (ethylene oxide), technical gas for welding, cutting, etc. and as a component for the preparation of mixtures - e.g. calibration gases.
The product is classified as hazardous pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 CLP.
Quality
| Ethylene |
% vol. |
min. 99,9 |
calculation
|
| Propylene |
ppm vol. |
max. 50 |
ASTM D 2504-88
ASTM D 2505-88 |
| Methane and ethane |
ppm vol. |
max. 1000 |
ASTM D 2504-88
ASTM D 2504-88 |
| Acetylene |
ppm vol. |
max. 5 |
ASTM D 2504-88
ASTM D 2505-88 |
| Ethylenoxide |
ppm wt |
max. 1 |
gas chromatography
|
| Dienes |
ppm vol. |
max. 5 |
ASTM D 2504-88
ASTM D 2505-88 |
| Oxygen |
ppm vol. |
max. 5 |
electrochemical
|
| Hydrogen |
ppm vol. |
max. 10 |
ASTM D 2504-88 |
| Carbon dioxide |
ppm vol. |
max. 10 |
ASTM D 2504-88
ASTM D 2505-88 |
| Carbon monoxide |
ppm vol. |
max. 10 |
ASTM D 2504-88
ASTM D 2505-88 |
| Sulphur (H2S + mercaptanes) |
ppm vol. |
max. 1 |
electrochemical
|
| Water |
ppm wt |
max. 10 |
hygrometer
|
| Ammonia |
ppm vol. |
max. 1 |
spectrophotometer
|
| Alcohols (as methanol) |
ppm vol. |
max. 5 |
gas chromatography
|
Packaging, Storage, Transportation
Gaseous ethylene is transported via pipeline; liquid ethylene is transported in car tanks, made of stainless steel or aluminium alloys. Both the car and storage tanks are cooled bellow ethylene boiling point or pressurized.
Notice
Every single ethylene road transport must be accompanied by safety and emergency instruction.