Liquid Ethylene Density Calculator

Calculate density of liquid ethylene (Câ‚‚Hâ‚„) at different temperatures

Liquid Ethylene Density Calculator

Density Formula: ρ = ρ₀ × [1 + α(T - T₀)] × [1 + β(P - P₀)]
Valid Range: -169°C to -100°C (liquid phase)
C₂H₄: Ethylene, MW = 28.05 g/mol

Valid range: -169°C to -100°C (liquid ethylene)

Standard pressure = 1.013 bar (1 atm)

Liquid Ethylene Properties

Ethylene (C₂H₄) is the simplest alkene and one of the most important industrial chemicals. In its liquid form, ethylene exists at cryogenic temperatures below -103.7°C (boiling point at 1 atm). Understanding its density is crucial for storage, transport, and use in polyethylene production.

Liquid ethylene is extensively used in the petrochemical industry, with global production exceeding 200 million tonnes annually. It's the primary feedstock for polyethylene plastics, which account for about 30% of all plastics production worldwide.

Physical Properties of Ethylene

Molecular Formula

Câ‚‚Hâ‚„

Hâ‚‚C=CHâ‚‚ (double bond)

Molar Mass

28.05 g/mol

C: 24.02, H: 4.03

Boiling Point

-103.7°C

169.5 K at 1 atm

Melting Point

-169.2°C

103.9 K

Critical Temperature

9.2°C

282.3 K

Critical Pressure

50.4 bar

5.04 MPa

Density Calculation Method

Modified Rackett Equation:

ρ = ρ₀ × [1 + α(T - T₀)] × [1 + β(P - P₀)]

ρ = Density at temperature T and pressure P (kg/m³)

ρ₀ = Reference density at T₀ = 566 kg/m³ at -169°C

α = Thermal expansion coefficient = -0.0045 K⁻¹

β = Isothermal compressibility = 0.0001 bar⁻¹

T₀ = Reference temperature = -169°C (near triple point)

Pâ‚€ = Reference pressure = 1.013 bar (1 atm)

⚠️ Important Notes:

  • • Valid range: -169°C to -100°C (liquid phase only)
  • • Above -103.7°C: Ethylene is gaseous at 1 atm
  • • Below -169.2°C: Ethylene is solid
  • • Pressure corrections are small for liquids (~0.01%/bar)

Industrial Applications

🏭 Polyethylene Production

Primary feedstock for HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE plastics. Density calculations are critical for reactor design and process optimization.

❄️ Cryogenic Storage

Design of storage tanks, transfer systems, and safety equipment requires accurate density data at operating temperatures.

🚢 Transport & Logistics

Calculate cargo volumes, shipping weights, and optimize transport economics for LNG carriers and cryogenic tankers.

🔬 Process Engineering

Design heat exchangers, pumps, and piping systems. Accurate density is essential for pressure drop calculations and equipment sizing.

Density at Key Temps

At -169°C

~566 kg/m³

At -140°C

~490 kg/m³

At -104°C

~430 kg/m³

Related Calculators

Degree of Unsaturation

Calculate DBE

Combustion Reactions

Balance equations

Ideal Gas Law

PV = nRT

Where It's Used

  • •Petrochemical plants
  • •Polymer manufacturing
  • •Cryogenic engineering
  • •Process design
  • •Safety engineering