Liquid Ethylene Density: Industrial
Liquid ethylene (C₂H₄) density varies with temperature. Boiling point -103.7°C. Used in petrochemicals, polyethylene production, ripening. Density correlations from NIST/thermodynamic data.
Why This Chemistry Calculation Matters
Why: Liquid ethylene density is critical for storage, transport, and process design in petrochemical and polymer industries.
How: Enter temperature. Density calculated from thermodynamic correlations. ρ = f(T) for liquid C₂H₄ below critical point.
- ●Boiling point -103.7°C.
- ●Critical temp 9.2°C.
- ●Used in polyethylene, ripening.
Sample Examples
🌡️ Normal Boiling Point
Liquid ethylene at its normal boiling point (169.45 K)
❄️ Cryogenic Storage
Typical storage temperature for liquid ethylene (110 K)
🏭 Industrial Process
Liquid ethylene at room temperature under pressure (298 K, 50 bar)
⚡ Near Critical Point
Liquid ethylene near critical temperature (280 K)
📦 Mass from Volume
Calculate mass of 1000 L liquid ethylene at 150 K
📊 Volume from Mass
Calculate volume of 100 kg liquid ethylene at 120 K
🧊 Very Low Temperature
Liquid ethylene at very low temperature (90 K)
💨 High Pressure Storage
Liquid ethylene at high pressure (200 K, 100 bar)
Calculate Liquid Ethylene Density
Density Results
Density
kg/m³
Density
g/cm³
Temperature
°C
Phase State
State
Critical Properties
Reduced Temperature: Tr = 0.6001
Reduced Pressure: Pr = 0.02010
Molar Volume: 1.2575e-4 m³/mol
Density vs Temperature
Liquid Ethylene Density Curve
Step-by-Step Calculation
Input Parameters
Temperature: -103.7°C = 169.5 K
Pressure: 1.013 bar
Critical Properties
Critical Temperature (Tc): 282.35 K
Critical Pressure (Pc): 50.4 bar
Critical Density (ρc): 214 kg/m³
Molecular Weight (MW): 28.054 g/mol
Reduced Properties
Reduced Temperature: Tr = T/Tc = 169.5/282.35 = 0.6001
Reduced Pressure: Pr = P/Pc = 1.013/50.4 = 0.02010
Phase State
Phase State: LIQUID
Temperature is below critical temperature (282.35 K)
Density Calculation
Using polynomial correlation for liquid phase:
ρ = a₀ + a₁T + a₂T² + a₃T³
ρ = 567.8 + -1.823×169.5 + -0.00145×169.5² + 0.0000012×169.5³
Density = 223.1 kg/m³
Density = 0.2231 g/cm³
Density = 13.93 lb/ft³
Molar Properties
Molar Volume: Vm = MW/ρ = 28.054 g/mol / 223.1 kg/m³
Molar Volume = 1.2575e-4 m³/mol
For educational and informational purposes only. Verify with a qualified professional.
🔬 Chemistry Facts
C₂H₄ boiling point -103.7°C. Liquid at cryogenic temps.
— NIST
Ethylene: feedstock for polyethylene, PVC, ethanol.
— Industrial
Density increases as T decreases below BP.
— Thermodynamics
MW 28.054 g/mol. Simplest alkene.
— Organic
What is Liquid Ethylene Density?
Liquid ethylene (C₂H₄) density is the mass per unit volume of ethylene in its liquid state. Ethylene is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature and pressure, but becomes a liquid when cooled below its boiling point of -103.7°C (169.45 K) or when compressed. The density of liquid ethylene varies significantly with temperature, making accurate density calculations essential for storage, transportation, and process design.
Physical Properties
- • Molecular Formula: C₂H₄
- • Molecular Weight: 28.054 g/mol
- • Boiling Point: -103.7°C
- • Critical Temp: 9.2°C
Density Range
- • At NBP: ~568 kg/m³
- • At 110 K: ~590 kg/m³
- • Near Critical: ~214 kg/m³
- • Temperature dependent
Applications
- • Chemical feedstock
- • Polymer production
- • Refrigeration
- • Storage design
How is Liquid Ethylene Density Calculated?
Liquid ethylene density is calculated using temperature-dependent correlations based on experimental data and equations of state. The density decreases as temperature increases, following a predictable relationship up to the critical point. Several methods can be used, including polynomial correlations, the Rackett equation, and cubic equations of state.
🔬 Calculation Methods
Polynomial Correlation
- 1ρ = a₀ + a₁T + a₂T² + a₃T³
- 2Valid for liquid phase (T < Tc)
- 3Based on experimental data
Rackett Equation
- Vs = Vc × Zc^(1-Tr)
- Uses critical properties
- Good for wide temperature range
When to Use Liquid Ethylene Density Calculations
Liquid ethylene density calculations are essential in petrochemical industries, storage facility design, transportation logistics, and process engineering. Accurate density values are critical for safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Petrochemical Industry
Ethylene is a primary feedstock for polyethylene, PVC, and other polymers. Density calculations are needed for reactor design and process optimization.
- Reactor sizing
- Mass balance calculations
- Process optimization
Storage Design
Cryogenic storage tanks require accurate density data to determine capacity, insulation requirements, and safety margins.
- Tank sizing
- Boil-off calculations
- Safety systems
Transportation
Shipping liquid ethylene requires accurate mass/volume conversions for loading, regulatory compliance, and billing.
- Loading calculations
- Weight limits
- Regulatory reporting
Liquid Ethylene Density Formulas
Polynomial Correlation
where T is temperature in Kelvin
Valid for: 90 K ≤ T ≤ 280 K (liquid phase)
Rackett Equation
ρ = MW / Vₛ
where Tr = T/Tc (reduced temperature)
Mass-Volume Relationship
V = m / ρ
where ρ is density, m is mass, V is volume
Critical Properties
Pc = 50.4 bar
ρc ≈ 214 kg/m³
MW = 28.054 g/mol
Temperature Effects on Density
| Temperature (K) | Temperature (°C) | Density (kg/m³) | Density (g/cm³) | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90.00 | -183.15 | 392.9 | 0.3929 | Liquid |
| 110.00 | -163.15 | 351.3 | 0.3513 | Liquid |
| 130.00 | -143.15 | 308.9 | 0.3089 | Liquid |
| 150.00 | -123.15 | 265.8 | 0.2658 | Liquid |
| 169.45 | -103.70 | 223.1 | 0.2231 | Liquid |
| 200.00 | -73.15 | 154.8 | 0.1548 | Liquid |
| 250.00 | -23.15 | 247.5 | 0.2475 | Liquid |
| 280.00 | 6.85 | 216.3 | 0.2163 | Liquid |
Safety Considerations for Liquid Ethylene
Liquid Ethylene is Extremely Hazardous
- • Extremely flammable - forms explosive mixtures with air
- • Cryogenic liquid - causes severe frostbite on contact
- • Asphyxiant - displaces oxygen in confined spaces
- • Store only in approved cryogenic containers
- • Use appropriate PPE: cryogenic gloves, face shield, protective clothing
- • Ensure adequate ventilation in storage areas
- • Follow all local regulations and safety protocols
- • Never allow liquid ethylene to contact skin or eyes
Related Calculators
Double Bond Equivalent Calculator
Calculate Double Bond Equivalent (DBE = IHD = Degree of Unsaturation) from molecular formulas. Essential tool for organic structure determination, especially...
ChemistryCombustion Reaction Calculator
Balance combustion reactions, calculate stoichiometric coefficients, and determine heat of combustion for hydrocarbons. Supports complete and incomplete...
ChemistryCrude Protein Calculator
Calculate crude protein content using Kjeldahl method and nitrogen-to-protein conversion. Supports multiple conversion factors for meat, dairy, grains...
ChemistryChemical Name Calculator
Convert between IUPAC names and common names, identify functional groups from chemical formulas, and generate systematic names for organic and inorganic...
ChemistryCombustion Analysis Calculator
Determine empirical and molecular formulas from combustion products (CO₂, H₂O, N₂ masses). Calculate percent composition of C, H, O, N. Supports CHO and CHON...
ChemistryDegree of Unsaturation Calculator
Calculate degree of unsaturation (DBE/IHD) from molecular formulas. Determine rings, double bonds, triple bonds, and aromaticity in organic compounds.
Chemistry