【Ten Years of Rapid Development in Chemical Processing Equipment】3074-2026: Filling a domestic gap; pilot production successful for catalysts with an ultra-low water-carbon ratio
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Let’s give praise and encouragement to the achievements made in China’s chemical engineering technology and equipment; your participation in discussions is the greatest encouragement. **********************【Ten Years of Progress in Chemical Engineering Equipment】Regular updates and summaries are available; feel free to join the discussions: https://bbs.hcbbs.com/thread-3576046-1-1.html ***************** Chengda and Southwest Research Institute have successfully completed pilot tests on catalysts for conversion with an extremely low water-carbon ratio, filling a gap in China’s capabilities in this area. Recently, the catalysts for one-stage conversion with such a low water-carbon ratio, developed jointly by China National Chemical Corporation Chengda and Southwest Chemical Research Institute, have successfully passed their pilot tests. The core performance indicators of this catalyst are at the leading level in China; it has successfully overcome the technical barriers associated with domestic catalysts of similar type, filling a gap in related technologies in the country. As a core and critical material in the field of natural gas chemical processing, the conversion catalyst is regarded as the \"core engine\" of this industry; its performance directly determines the efficiency of natural gas conversion, the quality of the products produced, and the energy consumption during production. It is widely used in the manufacture of chemical products such as methanol, synthetic ammonia, ethylene glycol, and hydrogen, which are all derived from natural gas as raw materials. For a long time, domestic conversion catalysts of similar types have faced technical limitations such as a high water-to-carbon ratio, high steam consumption, and easy carbon deposition under low operating conditions, which have hindered the development of China’s natural gas chemical industry. During the pilot-scale testing, this catalyst demonstrated excellent performance: it was able to operate continuously and stably over long periods under severe conditions with a water-to-carbon ratio of <1.45 (as low as 1.2). During operation, the catalytic activity and bed pressure drop remained stable, with no carbon deposition occurring throughout the process. Its excellent resistance to carbon deposition, combined with its ability to adapt to low water-to-carbon ratios, significantly reduces the consumption of process steam and improves production efficiency; it can save more than 30% of the process steam required. This solution effectively overcomes the technical problems associated with high water-to-carbon ratios and high energy consumption that have long plagued domestically produced first-stage conversion catalysts. Leveraging its technical and engineering expertise in the field of natural gas chemicals, the company has established an integrated innovation model that encompasses joint research and development, pilot testing, and industrial-scale implementation, using technological innovation to drive the chemical industry toward greater efficiency, sustainability, and higher quality. This collaboration represents a successful example of collaborative innovation among Chengda Company, research institutions, and manufacturing enterprises, aimed at deepening the integration of industry, academia, research, and application. It provides critical technical support for the industrial upgrading in areas such as natural gas-based methanol production, ethylene glycol production, ammonia synthesis, and hydrogen production in our country, thereby injecting strong momentum into the chemical industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, minimize pollution, promote environmental sustainability, and achieve growth. Help the natural gas chemical industry achieve energy savings, carbon reduction, and green transformation, thereby contributing to the high-quality development of this sector.
According to a report by Sina Finance in March 2026, the pilot plant for producing syngas through CO2-CH4 reforming with a low water-carbon ratio developed by the Southwest Research Institute passed the on-site operation assessment conducted by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation. The Southwest Research Institute carried out pilot tests on syngas using a combined reforming process that integrates SMR (methane steam reforming) and DRM (dry methane carbon dioxide reforming). According to the Sichuan Provincial Government website, on April 18, 2025, progress was made in the pilot project related to the key technology for producing syngas through CO2-CH4 reforming with a low carbon-to-water ratio, developed by Southwest Chemical Research and Design Institute Co., Ltd., located in the Meishan New Energy and New Materials Integration Innovation Center. The first hydrogen-loop energy box-type biohydrogen production facility completed trial production, and a launch ceremony was held. According to a report from the Southwest Research Institute in April, the ultra-low water-carbon ratio first-stage conversion catalyst jointly developed by the Southwest Research Institute and Chengda Engineering Company underwent industrial pilot testing at Chongqing Jianfeng Chemical. This is yet another key technical barrier that the Southwest Research Institute has overcome after more than 60 years of dedicated work in the field of natural gas conversion. The core performance of this catalyst ranks among the best in the industry, completely overcoming the long-standing limitations of domestic similar products, such as high water-to-carbon ratios and difficulties in reducing energy consumption. In the field of natural gas utilization, the water-to-carbon ratio is a key parameter determining the composition of the converted gas, and it also affects steam consumption. Different water-to-carbon ratios result in corresponding changes in the composition of the conversion gas. The water-to-carbon ratio can be adjusted, providing broad possibilities for the use of natural gas in the production of methanol, ethylene glycol, hydrogen, and other substances. Previously, domestic catalysts were generally used in operating conditions with a water-to-carbon ratio of ≥2.5, resulting in high consumption of process steam, which became a key obstacle to cost reduction and efficiency improvement in the industry. This new product developed by the Southwest Research Institute can operate stably under stringent conditions where the water-to-carbon ratio is ≤1.45 (as low as 1.2), with a reduction in process steam consumption of over 30%; it effectively addresses the issues of energy consumption and low CO content in natural gas-based chemical production.
Praising the great development of China’s chemical equipment industry
【Ten Years of Rapid Development in Chemical Processing Equipment】The world’s first pilot plant for hydrogen metallurgy using green electricity and green hydrogen was put into operation at Ansteel’s Bayuquan production facility from 3084 to 2026. https://bbs.hcbbs.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=5717808 (Source: Haichuan Chemical Industry Forum (HCBBS))