Ethane Compressor

Ethane is a colorless, odorless flammable gas with a molecular weight of 30.07, a density of 1.357 kg/m³ under standard conditions, and a specific gravity of 1.05. It tends to accumulate in low-lying areas after leakage. Its explosion limit in air is 3.0%–12.5% by volume, with an auto-ignition temperature of approximately 515°C, and the explosion-proof rating is Ex d IIB T1. Its critical temperature is 32.28°C and critical pressure is 4.8798 MPa; above this temperature, it cannot be liquefied, so strict temperature control is required during compression to prevent liquefaction. Its boiling point at atmospheric pressure is -88.63°C, and its heat of vaporization is 489.41 kJ/kg. Industrially, it is used as a feedstock for steam cracking to produce ethylene, a key component of NGL, and as a medium-low temperature refrigerant at approximately -100°C in cascade liquefaction processes.

DIAPHRAGM COMPRESSOR

PISTON COMPRESSOR

Ethane Diaphragm Compressor Advantages:

01

Absolutely Oil-Free & Ultra-High Purity Assurance:

The core structure of the diaphragm compressor completely isolates the gas from the lubrication system via a hydraulically driven metal diaphragm, achieving absolute oil-free compression. This is critical for polymer-grade ethane used as a high-end chemical feedstock, thoroughly preventing oil contamination and ensuring the quality and efficiency of downstream chemical reactions.
02

Static Seal Zero Leakage & Intrinsic Safety:

The gas chamber adopts a fully static seal design, theoretically achieving zero leakage. This characteristic provides the highest level of safety assurance for handling flammable and explosive ethane gas, effectively preventing the accumulation of explosive gas mixtures in the plant area caused by trace leakage. It is particularly suitable for installation in spaces with limited room or locations with extremely high safety requirements.

Key Design Points for Ethane Diaphragm Compressors:

01

Precise Anti-Liquefaction Thermodynamic Design & Temperature Monitoring:

Given the critical temperature of ethane at 32.28°C, preventing liquefaction is the core of the design. Accurate thermodynamic calculations must be performed to ensure that the gas temperature after each compression stage, as well as the outlet temperature of the inter-stage coolers, is significantly higher than the dew point temperature of ethane at that stage's pressure, with a safety margin of 5-10 K. High-sensitivity temperature sensors and an interlock system must be configured to monitor the discharge temperature in real time, immediately triggering an alarm or shutdown when approaching dangerous values.
02

Optimized Material Compatibility & Diaphragm Life Management:

Wetted parts must be made of materials compatible with ethane, such as 316L stainless steel. Special attention must be paid to the fatigue performance of the diaphragm under operating conditions near the critical region. The material selection, heat treatment process, and pre-tension setting require specific optimization to address the specific thermal stresses that may arise from ethane compression, and a predictive maintenance plan should be established.
03

Multi-Layered Safety Monitoring & Emergency Relief System:

A three-layer diaphragm structure should be adopted, with diaphragm rupture monitoring sensors installed between the oil chamber and gas chamber for early warning. Combustible gas concentration probes should be integrated into the compressor body and inlet/outlet piping. Additionally, nitrogen purge connections must be designed for safe system displacement before startup and after shutdown. The discharge piping of safety relief devices should be routed to a safe flare system or a high-altitude vent stack.

Certificate

MODEL SELECTION

Model G70Z/G95Z/G110Z/G130Z	Piston Stroke 70mm~130mm	Maximum Piston Force 10KN~30KN
Maximum Discharge Pressure 70Mpa	Flow Range 1~500Nm³/h	Motor Power 2.2KW~30KW
Crankshaft Speed 420rpm	Cooling Method Water Cooled/Air Cooled

Model G70V/G95V/G130V	Piston Stroke 70mm~130mm	Maximum Piston Force 10KN~30KN
Maximum Discharge Pressure 50Mpa	Flow Range 1~200Nm³/h	Motor Power 2.2KW~30KW
Crankshaft Speed 420rpm	Cooling Method Water-cooled / Air-cooled

Model G110L/G130L	Piston Stroke 110mm~130mm	Maximum Piston Force 20KN~40KN
Maximum Discharge Pressure 100Mpa	Flow Range 10~1000Nm³/h	Motor Power 7.5KW~90KW
Crankshaft Speed 420rpm	Cooling Method Water-cooled / Air-cooled

Model G110D/G130D/G150D/ G180D/G182D/G210D	Piston Stroke 110mm~210mm	Maximum Piston Force 20KN~160KN
Maximum Discharge Pressure 100Mpa	Flow Range 30~2000Nm³/h	Motor Power 22KW~200KW
Crankshaft Speed 420rpm	Cooling Method Water-cooled / Air-cooled

Diaphragm type compressor

Piston stroke 70mm

Flow(Nm3/h)

Inlet pressure(barg)

Outlet pressure(barg)

No.	Model	Cooling water	Flow	Inlet pressure	Outlet pressure	Dimensions L×W×H	Weight	Motor Power
No.	Model	(L/h)	(Nm³/h)	(MPa)	(MPa)	(≈mm)	(≈kg)	(kW)
1	GZ-18/40-45	500	18	4	4.5	1200×900×1200	800	4
2	GZ-20/29-45	500	20	2.9	4.5	1200×900×1200	800	4
3	GZ-180/15-40	3000	180	1.5	4	2030×1045×1700	2500	30
4	GV-10/1-25	600	10	0.1	2.5	1500×780×1080	800	4
5	GV-120/3.5-12	2000	120	0.35	1.2	2200×1800×1700	3000	22
6	GV-100/3-11	2000	100	0.3	1.1	2200×1800×1700	3000	18.5
7	GL-25/15	1000	25	Atmospheric	1.5	2200×1650×1450	3000	7.5
8	GL-80/5.5-35	1500	80	0.55	3.5	2000×1800×1200	3000	15
9	GL-140/0.4-5	2000	140	0.4	0.5	3230×1770×2200	3000	18.5
10	GD-400/8-40	8000	400	0.8	4	3600×2500×1700	6000	75
11	GD-450/1-12	9000	450	0.1	1.2	3800×2300×2000	100000	90
12	GD-1000/9-12	3000	1000	0.9	1.2	3200×1800×1900	4000	30

The equipment size and weight are for reference only, and the final design shall prevail.

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CASE STUDY

Russia
UNITED STATES
Spain
Kazakhstan

Ethane Piston Compressor Advantages:

01

Mature and Reliable Technology, Suitable for Large-Scale Processing:

Piston compressors have decades of extensive application history and proven performance in the petrochemical and natural gas processing fields, with extremely high technological maturity. Their characteristics of large displacement and high volumetric efficiency enable them to economically and efficiently meet the large-scale ethane recovery and boosting requirements of natural gas liquefaction plants and large ethylene units, often reaching tens of thousands of standard cubic meters per hour.
02

Broad Pressure Adaptability and Operating Condition Regulation Capability:

Through multi-stage compression design, piston compressors can flexibly cover a wide pressure range, from near-vacuum suction pressures (e.g., BOG recovery) to discharge pressures of 25 MPa or even higher. Simultaneously, they can achieve 0%–100% load regulation through methods such as lifting suction valves or connecting clearance pockets, effectively adapting to fluctuations in chemical plant feed loads or natural gas composition.

Key Design Points for Ethane Piston Compressors:

01

Targeted Multi-Stage Compression and Efficient Gas-Liquid Separation Design:

Multi-stage compression with inter-stage cooling must be adopted to strictly control temperature rise. After each stage cooler, a high-efficiency cyclone or filter-type gas-liquid separator must be equipped, along with an automatic drain mechanism, to absolutely ensure that no liquid ethane or mist droplets enter the next stage cylinder. This is the core measure to prevent "liquid slugging" that could damage the piston, connecting rod, or even the cylinder.
02

Professional Oil-Free Lubrication and Seal System Configuration:

To avoid lubricating oil contamination of the ethane product, oil-free lubrication design should be prioritized. Self-lubricating materials such as filled PTFE or PEEK can be used for piston rings and packing. For applications with extremely high requirements, a labyrinth seal piston design may be considered. The packing should be equipped with a nitrogen buffer seal system to both prevent gas leakage and isolate the crankcase lubricating oil.
03

Comprehensive Explosion-Proof and Pulsation Suppression Safety Measures:

The drive motor and electrical instrumentation must meet the Ex d IIB T3 explosion-proof rating. Due to the relatively high density of ethane, gas flow pulsation is more significant. Pulsation dampeners (buffer tanks) must be designed and installed on the compressor suction and discharge piping, with piping stress analysis performed to eliminate vibration risks. The discharge from all safety valves must be collected and routed to the plant's closed flare system to ensure safe release under emergency conditions.

Certificate

MODEL SELECTION

Z Type

V / W Type

M Type

D Type

Piston stroke 80mm, 95mm	Piston force 10KN～25KN
Power 7.5KW-55KW	Number of cylinder banks 1/2
Crankshaft speed 740 rpm, 980 rpm	Number of compression stages 1/2/3/4
Drive mode Electric motor, diesel engine, natural gas engine

Piston stroke 92mm, 95mm, 105mm, 120mm	Piston force 25KN, 45KN, 65KN
Number of compression stages 1/2/3/4	Number of cylinder banks 2/3/4
Crankshaft speed 740 rpm, 980 rpm	Power 15KW-220KW
Drive mode Electric motor, diesel engine, natural gas engine

Piston stroke 92mm~315mm	Piston force 45KN~660KN
Number of compression stages 1/2/3/4	Number of cylinder banks 4
Crankshaft speed 300rpm~980rpm	Power 160KW-3000KW
Drive mode Electric motor, diesel engine, natural gas engine

Piston stroke 92mm~315mm	Piston force 25KN~200KN
Number of compression stages 1/2/3/4	Number of cylinder banks 2
Crankshaft speed 300rpm~980rpm	Power 30KW-1000KW
Drive mode Electric motor, diesel engine, natural gas engine

Vertical type

Oil-free / F: Air-cooled

2.1

Actual volume flow (m3/min)

0.15

Inlet pressure(barg)

Outlet pressure(barg)

S/N	Model	Flow	Inlet pressure	Outlet pressure	Motor power
S/N	Model	(Nm³/h)	(Mpa)	(MPa)	(kW)
1	ZW-2.1/0.15-15	120	0.015	1.5	22
2	ZW-0.9/6-25	310	0.6	2.5	30
3	ZW-0.63/3-30	130	0.3	3	22
4	VW-2.6/5-40	800	0.5	25	110
5	VW-2.1/10-35	1140	1	25	200
6	VW-7/1-45	750	4.5	700	135
7	DW-12.3/9-53	6730	0.9	5.3	630
8	DW-13/18-22	12500	1.8	2.2	185
9	DW-6.7/38-53	14400	3.9	5.3	250
10	MW-15/3.5-28	3000	0.35	2.8	400
11	MW-9.0/3-45	1500	0.3	4.5	355
12	MW-130/1.5	6800	0	0.15	250