Meaning
Efficiency of the thermal cracking process determines the volume of light olefins recovered from hydrocarbon feedstocks. Steam cracker yields measure the output of ethylene and propylene relative to the mass of the input. These yields determine the economic performance of a petrochemical plant and the availability of monomers for plastic production.
The measurement is not applicable to catalytic cracking processes where the reaction mechanism produces different product distributions.
Feedstock Influence
Using recycled pyrolysis oil as a co-feed can alter the output profile of the cracker. Steam cracker yields are monitored to ensure that the chemical composition of the recycled oil does not reduce the production of high-demand olefins.
Process Optimization
Adjusting the temperature and residence time in the furnace allows operators to maximize specific yields. Steam cracker yields are the primary metric for evaluating the success of chemical recycling integration. If the yields of light olefins drop too low, the process may no longer be commercially viable.
Drastic shifts in yield can indicate contamination in the input stream.
Economic Efficiency
High yields of ethylene and propylene are necessary to meet the global demand for polyethylene and polypropylene. Steam cracker yields are central to the planning and profitability of the entire polymer supply chain.
