Feedstocks Availability and Cost

A dramatic example of how metal catalysis can impact on the feedstock used to make an organic chemical can be seen in the evolution of the manufacture of 

Today the main chemical use of coal is in the manufacture of synthesis gas and certain aromatic compounds. However coal is likely to play an increasingly important role in the manufacture of organic chemicals, particularly in the rapidly developing economies of Asia, some of which have relatively little crude oil and natural gas but large reserves of coal. 

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Ammonia is the principal component in the fertilizer production. The world ammonia capacity for 1995-1996 is estimated at 123,640,000 tons of nitrogen per year [70], Ammonia plants are high energy consumers, and selection of the feedstocks is the most important factor in determining the capital investment and production costs. The availability and cost of raw materials are factors to be taken into account when deciding on the construction of a new ammonia plant. The primary feedstocks for ammonia production include natural gas, naphtha, heavy residual oil, coke gas, and coal. Of all these feedstocks, natural gas is the raw material of choice when available because it ensures minimum investment and production costs, a plant that is easy to operate, and minimal environmental problems. Therefore, steam reforming of natural gas has become the most widespread process for ammonia production. 

Anionic surfactants comprise the bulk of the surfactants used in laundry detergents today. The anionic surfactants are derived from both oleochanical and petrochemical sources. The choice of feedstock depends on availability and cost... 

Clearly, the slate of chemicals produced from coal-derived synthesis gas will expand as new technologies are developed, and supplies of petroleum and natural gas dwindle. The most likely such chemicals are those for which existing processes have been demonstrated but which presently lack economic merit. Relatively small improvements in technology, shifts in feedstock availability, capital costs, or political factors could enhance the viability of coal-based processes for the production of methanol, ethanol, and higher alcohols, vinyl acetate, ethylene glycol, carboxylic acids, and light olefins. 

Methanol. If methanol is to compete with conventional gasoline and diesel fuel it must be readily available and inexpensively produced. Thus methanol production from a low-cost feed stock such as natural gas [8006-14-2] or coal is essential (see Feedstocks). There is an abundance of natural gas (see Gas, natural) woddwide and reserves of coal are even greater than those of natural gas. 

Feedstocks. Feedstocks are viscous aromatic hydrocarbons consisting of branched polynuclear aromatics with smaller quantities of paraffins and unsaturates. Preferred feedstocks are high in aromaticity, free of coke and other gritty materials, and contain low concentrations of asphaltenes, sulfur, and alkah metals. Other limitations are the quantities available on a long-term basis, uniformity, ease of transportation, and cost. The abiUty to handle such oils in tanks, pumps, transfer lines, and spray nozzles are also primary requirements. 

In this chapter, all parameters were assumed to be deterministic. However, the current situation of fluctuating petroleum crude oil prices and demands is an indication that markets and industries everywhere are impacted by uncertainties. For example, source and availability of crude oils as the raw material prices of feedstock, chemicals, and commodities production costs and future market demand for finished products will have a direct impact on final decisions. Thus, acknowledging the shortcomings of deterministic models, the next Chapters will consider uncertainties in the design problem. 

The choice by a company for a sustainable or a petrochemical source of an ingredient will depend on various aspects, but cost will be the primary driving force. Availability of a low-cost feedstock is crucial, but also the available and appropriate technology in the company will have a large influence on this decision. 

The problem of availability of suitable paraffinic feedstocks of low cost, which represent a potentially wide range of molecular weight, will soon be rectified. Linear alkanes of high purity will be available from petroleum on a large scale, as is evident from recent announcements by both chemical and petroleum companies of plans to build normal paraffin extraction plants (2, J, 8). 

The market penetration of synthetic fuels from biomass and wastes in the United States depends on several basic factors, eg, demand, price, performance, competitive feedstock uses, government incentives, whether established fuel is replaced by a chemically identical fuel or a different product, and cost and availability of other fuels such as oil and natural gas. Detailed analyses have been performed to predict the market penetration of biomass energy well into the twenty-first century. A range of from 3 to about 21 EJ seems to characterize the results of most of these studies. 

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