Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
4abcaf8849ff4e6fb3956070d7e43860
Materials
Associated ID
f14d267e-28d7-40e0-a096-497e20c5e50f
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
Styrene can be used to synthesize resins, ion exchange resins, and synthetic rubbers. The dataset includes major raw materials, auxiliary materials, energy inputs, atmospheric emissions, and waterborne emissions from the production process; infrastructure such as production equipment and factory construction is not included within the system boundary of the dataset. The life cycle inventory data are derived from literature sources. The styrene production process includes steps such as raw material preparation, preheating, dehydrogenation reaction, oxidation reaction, cooling and condensation, separation and purification, and styrene production.
Activity Description
The production activities of this product include processes such as raw material preparation, preheating, dehydrogenation reaction, oxidation reaction, cooling and condensation, separation and purification, and styrene production.
Process Description
Styrene is an organic compound produced via the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene, with a CAS number of 100-42-5 and chemical formula C8H8. The electrons of its vinyl group are conjugated with the benzene ring. It is insoluble in water but soluble in most organic solvents such as ethanol and diethyl ether. Styrene can be manufactured using ethylbenzene dehydrogenation technology. This product is an important monomer for the production of synthetic resins, ion exchange resins, and synthetic rubbers.
Time period
2020
2026
Geography
China
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
Styrene is produced using ethylbenzene dehydrogenation technology. Ethylbenzene is mixed with steam and contacted with a catalyst in a reactor. This reaction takes place under vacuum conditions at high temperature. Heat is recovered from this reaction, and the hydrocarbon mixture is fed into a series of distillation units. The first separation step removes small amounts of toluene and benzene formed during cracking (approximately 4--6%). This toluene/benzene stream is typically returned to the benzene plant. The second separation step removes unreacted ethylbenzene, which is recycled back into the system. In the third step, purified styrene monomer is recovered. Bottoms or tar residues are removed from this third step.