In recent years, industry experts have forecasted that driven by the growth of the ethylene sector and increased oil and gas exploration, China's available C5 resources are expected to surpass 20 million tons by 2020. After refining, approximately 14 million tons of refined C5 components will be produced. While there is growing interest in the utilization of C5 diolefins, many companies are optimistic about isoprene rubber projects, with some already under construction. Trans-isoprene rubber has begun commercial promotion, and development of engineering plastics is also advancing. However, the lighter C5 components—such as pentane—still lack effective utilization pathways. Most of them are simply vented or burned on-site, leading to resource waste and environmental pollution.
The author believes that research and industrialization efforts on the rational use of C5 light components should not be overlooked. Using these components for urban pipeline gas presents significant potential. Pentane, however, is difficult to dehydrogenate, making it less suitable for other applications. Currently, many C5 light components from oil fields, refineries, and ethylene plants are either vented or burned. Some are used as solvent oils, cleaning agents, or for cyclopentadiene refining, while others are even added to gasoline, which can negatively impact fuel quality.
Since the 1980s, China has encouraged deep processing of C9 components from petroleum. In the early 1990s, research began on using C5 light components as fuel gas. Today, the technology for mixing C5 light components with air to produce a gas suitable for city gas systems is well-established. This mixed gas meets the "City Gas Design Code," with a heat value exceeding twice the upper explosion limit, and is essentially non-toxic. It can be transported over long distances at low pressure, making it ideal for small towns south of the Great Wall. For towns with 10,000 to 30,000 households, C5 pipeline gas is nearly the best option in terms of safety, cost, environmental protection, and user convenience. It has already been successfully implemented in some areas.
From a resource supply perspective, C5 components can be used in fine chemicals. The diolefin and part of the monoolefin fractions make up around 20% of the resource, suitable for urban fuel use. The alkane fraction accounts for about 70%, and the remaining portion can serve as an organic solvent. Since over 55% of cracked C5, 70% of refinery C5, and more than 95% of natural C5 can be converted into mixed gas, if all C5 light components were vaporized, the resulting gas would be equivalent to 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas—more than the annual supply of the West-East Gas Pipeline Project (15 billion cubic meters). This could meet the living and commercial gas needs of 60 million urban residents (around 200 million people).
Furthermore, once a clear outlet for C5 light components is established, they no longer need to be used for catalytic reforming of gasoline, which can improve oil quality and reduce vehicle emissions. If all 14 million tons of refined C5 were used for pipeline gas, it could offset 26–36 million tons of standard coal annually, reducing CO₂ emissions by 18.56–42.16 million tons, and cutting sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and dust emissions by 1.3 million tons. From an energy conservation and alternative oil perspective, it could save 20 million tons of crude oil each year.
In conclusion, accelerating the industrialization of C5 light components for urban pipeline gas represents a safe, economical, and environmentally friendly approach that holds great promise for the future.
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