【Ten Years of Rapid Development in Chemical Equipment】2044–2024: China’s First Project for Dry Reforming of Marine Carbon-Rich Natural Gas to Produce Syngas

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Safety first. Prevention first – let’s give recognition and support to the achievements made in China’s chemical engineering technology and equipment. **********************【Ten Years of Rapid Development in Chemical Engineering Equipment】Ongoing updates and summaries available; feel free to join the discussions at https://bbs.hcbbs.com/thread-3576046-1-1.html (Source: Haichuan Chemical Engineering Forum) ***************** March 12, 2024. China’s first project for the dry reforming of carbon-rich natural gas to produce syngas – the pilot project carried out by CNOOC Chemical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as CNOOC Chemical) for the dry reforming of carbon-rich natural gas to generate syngas – has commenced construction in the Hainan Dongfang Port Industrial Park. This project is under the general contracting of China Five Rings Engineering Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Sinochem (hereinafter referred to as China Five Rings), and will provide effective solutions for the green conversion and efficient utilization of carbon-rich natural gas in the South China Sea. 　　The South China Sea is rich in large reserves of natural gas, which is characterized by a high concentration of carbon dioxide. The production capacity of this project is 10,000 standard cubic meters per hour. It utilizes a carbon dioxide-to-syngas conversion technology jointly developed by Sinopec, BASF, and China Five Rings, which involves the dry reforming of methane and carbon dioxide in natural gas to produce syngas with an adjustable hydrogen-to-carbon ratio. This syngas can be used in industries such as methanol, acetic acid, ethylene glycol, ethanol, and various new chemical materials, thereby extending the product chain further. 　　The application of conversion and utilization technologies centered on methane-carbon dioxide dry reforming to produce syngas can improve carbon efficiency at the raw material stage, effectively enable the resource utilization of carbon dioxide, address the issue of carbon emissions associated with natural gas, and facilitate the efficient and large-scale development and utilization of natural gas. The raw materials required for the project come from the second-phase methanol project of Sino-Mediterranean Chemicals, while water, electricity, steam, and other power supplies are provided by existing facilities. 　　Currently, innovations in the recycling of carbon dioxide are a focus in the field of carbon neutrality both domestically and internationally. There is significant interest in achieving the capture, storage, and reuse of industrial carbon dioxide emissions through innovation, as well as in using carbon dioxide as a raw material to synthesize methanol and various organic chemicals and polymer materials. The pilot project for the dry reforming of carbon-rich natural gas to produce syngas is a pioneering project in the research and development of natural gas chemistry using carbon dioxide-rich gases. Once the project is completed and tested successfully, development of industrial-scale demonstration units will proceed, thereby facilitating a cleaner and lower-carbon exploitation and large-scale utilization of high-carbon natural gas resources. Currently, CNOOC Chemical has established a Carbon-Rich Natural Gas Chemical Engineering Technology Center in Hainan, where research will be conducted in areas such as the comprehensive utilization of carbon-rich natural gas and the development of new chemical materials. 　　A relevant official from China Five Rings said that the implementation of this project is an important manifestation of the company’s efforts to accelerate its development in strategic emerging industries. It is also a significant step toward promoting the green and low-carbon development of manufacturing in Dongfang, Hainan. This project will contribute to the innovation and development of industrial technologies in Hainan, as well as to advancing technological innovation and industrial upgrading in the field of new energy in China, thereby injecting new momentum into the sustainable development of the energy sector. The construction of China’s Five Rings will be carried out in an organized and scientific manner, with strict enforcement of safety production responsibilities, to ensure high-quality and efficient project development. Every effort will be made to accelerate the construction process, enable prompt commissioning of the project, and achieve rapid operational efficiency.