Industrial Use and Demand

Since its commercialization in 1989, the number of gasoline Molex units designed and commissioned has risen to 13, with a total extraction capacity of over 2080 KMTA (= x lOH/year). 

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Of the estimated 710,000 t consumed in 1990, 25% was used to produce vinyl chloride [75-01-4] monomer (VCM), 14% for vinyl acetate [108-05-4] monomer (VAM), 23% for butanediol, 14% for industrial use, and the balance to produce other products such as acryUc acid, synthetic mbber, chlorinated solvents, and acetylene black. The demand for PVC is expected to decrease as legislation limiting its use in packaging is pending. Consequentiy, VCM consumption will also suffer. 

Polyols are unique among simple carbohydrates in their low ability to be fermented. This characteristic enables them to impart sweetness to foods while exhibiting lower caloric values than other carbohydrates and reducing the formation of dental caries. Polyols are used in a variety of applications in foods, confections, pharmaceuticals and industrial uses. Rising demand for low- and reduced-calorie foods and confections that contribute to a reduction in dental caries has contributed to the growth of these starch-derived products. 

The transition to a new energy carrier requires a series of investments and enhancements not only in energy supply and distribution, but also in vehicles and other end-use technologies. This chapter addresses the demand side in three major categories, namely, transportation, stationary power, and industrial uses. Transportation demand scenarios are postulated for the present (i.e., 2002), the near term (2020), and the long term (2050). 

Since this fabrication technique allows production of strong, lightweight parts, it has proved particularly useful for components of structures of commercial and industrial usefulness and for aerospace, hydrospace, and military applications. Both the reinforcement and the matrix can be tailor-made to satisfy almost any property demand. This aid in widening the applicability of FW to the production of almost any item wherein the strength to weight ratio is important. FW is used in different shapes such as the usual circular and elliptical shape to produce rectangular shapes. 

Acetic acid (AA) is an important industrial chemical with many industrial uses and an annual worldwide demand of almost six million tonnes (Jane, 2(X)1). The industrial method based on the carbonylation of methanol (MeOH) is widely preferred for its manufacture, accounting for approximately 60% of the total world manufacturing capacity (PEP Report, 1994). Figure 9.9 outlines the AA production process by MeOH carbonylation. 

Offshore industry has become an important element of the industrial sector as each year a vast sum of money is spent on offshore-related developments around the globe. In order to meet the increasing demand for oil and gas, the industry uses and develops leading-edge technology to drill even deeper. 

In the United States, the acetylene production exceeded 450, 000 t/yr between 1963 and 1970, but then declined until it hit a minimum production level below 150, 000 t/yr in 1982. Of this production, about 40,000 t were dedicated to industrial use, ie, welding, etc. Thus only slightly more than 100,000 t were produced for the chemical process industry. Figure 14 illustrates the 17-year decline in acetylene production and indicates the reduced derivative demand to which the accumulated decline is attributed (37). 

The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates total production of about 163,000 t in 1990. Other estimates based on demand data indicate that it was as high as 175,000 t. With demand and supply in balance, it is estimated that in 1997 the demand will be 185,000 t. The distribution in product demand is projected to be the following 1,4-butanediol and other acetylenic chemicals (45%), vinyl chloride monomer (45%), acetylene black (5%), and industrial use (5%). 

Japan and China. During the 1980s, acetylene demand in Japan suffered a significant decline. Chemical use declined from over 100,000 to 42,000 t, acetylene black production declined from 20,000 to less than 10,000 t, and industrial use went from 42,000 to 30,000 t. Thus, based on 1990 estimates, Japan has an excess capacity for acetylene production with capabiUties for 247, 000 t/yr and a demand of only 82,000 t. 

The United States consumption of manganese is distributed between three industries iron and steelmaking, where 88% of the Mn is consumed the manufacture of batteries, where 7% is used and chemical usage, which accounts for the remaining 5%. United States manganese demand is shown in Figure 12. 

Tables 9—16 show PGM consumption by the Western world and Japan. The figures are broken down by industrial appHcation and, for platinum and palladium, by the region in which they are used. In each case, net demand is shown, ie, total purchases of the metals by customers, minus any sales back to the market.

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