Jiangyin Longchang Machinery Manufacturing Co,Ltd , https://www1.jylongchanggrinderline.com
Adhere to attack and promote new strategies to meet the peak demand for air separation equipment
With the rapid economic growth of China, especially in key sectors like metallurgy, petrochemicals, oil refining, and chemical fertilizers, the large-scale air separation equipment industry has found unprecedented development opportunities. Industry experts predict that demand for such equipment will reach new peaks in the coming years.
The metallurgical sector is a major driver of this growth. As China focuses on high-value steel products, it's expected that the country will reach "balanced steel production" around 2015, with output reaching 450–500 million tons. Based on oxygen requirements for steelmaking—approximately 1.5 to 2.25 million m³/h for every million tons of steel—the total demand for air separation equipment in the sector could reach 3–3.75 million m³/h over the next decade. This includes both new installations and upgrades to existing facilities.
Meanwhile, coal-to-oil projects are also boosting demand. With plans to produce 30 million tons of coal-based oil annually by 2015, the investment in this area is expected to exceed 350 billion RMB. Air separation equipment is a critical component, with an estimated requirement of 4.15–4.2 million m³/h of oxygen by 2015.
Methanol production is rising rapidly, with annual growth rates exceeding 10% in recent years. By 2015, the target is 30 million tons of methanol, requiring additional air separation capacity of about 2.53 million m³/h.
In the petrochemical industry, ethylene remains a vital raw material. China’s ethylene production is expected to grow significantly, reaching 25 million tons by 2015 and nearly 40 million tons by 2020. This will require an additional 900,000 m³/h of air separation capacity, along with approximately 30 large-scale units.
Fertilizer production, which already ranks first globally, is shifting from naphtha and heavy oil to coal, increasing the need for air separation equipment. A typical 300,000-ton-per-year fertilizer plant requires a 48,000 m³/h air separation unit when using coal as feedstock.
Overall, by 2015, China’s total air separation demand is projected to be between 10.5 and 11.4 million m³/h, with an average annual demand of 1.04–1.14 million m³/h. This suggests a need for 20–25 large-scale units of 30,000 m³/h or more.
As the industry grows, there is a clear trend toward larger and more advanced air separation technologies. Companies like Air Liquide and Linde have already developed systems over 100,000 m³/h, while domestic manufacturers are working to catch up, aiming for breakthroughs in the 70,000–80,000 m³/h range.
The shift toward international markets is also accelerating. Chinese companies are now exporting large-scale equipment abroad, such as Kaifeng Aerospace’s 15,000 m³/h units to Turkey and Hangyang’s 21,000 m³/h systems to Serbia. These efforts mark a significant step in China’s global expansion in the air separation sector.
Looking ahead, while China is becoming a major player in manufacturing, the challenge lies in achieving leadership in design and technology. The goal is not just to build, but to innovate and lead in the global air separation industry.