Low-temperature ethylene production for indirect electrification in chemical production

Electrification is part of process intensification being explored by the chemical industry to improve energy efficiency and to reduce greenhouse-gas emission. Ethylene production, using electrochemical-facilitated non-oxidative ethane dehydrogenation, is an emerging, but promising, process to facilitate electrification of the ethylene industry and represents the most untapped opportunity in the chemical industry. Herein, we highlight the low-temperature electrochemical ethylene production using solid-oxide membrane reactors/stacks (LoTempLene) and elucidate the opportunity of using it in the electrification trend. Detailed process simulation was conducted using Aspen Plus software, based on state-of-the-art results for energy and cost analysis, aiming to better understand the practical implications of the LoTempLene process versus conventional steam cracking. We also provide our perspective on the key challenges and possible solutions for low-temperature electrochemical ethylene production.