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Adhere to attack and promote new strategies to meet the peak demand for air separation equipment
With the rapid economic growth of China, particularly in key sectors such as metallurgy, petrochemicals, oil refining, and fertilizer production, the large-scale air separation equipment industry has found itself at a pivotal moment. Industry experts predict that demand for such equipment will surge in the coming years, driven by both industrial expansion and technological upgrades.
In the metallurgical sector, the push for high-value steel products has led to a focus on "balanced steel production," a concept suggesting that once a country reaches a certain level of steel output, the market becomes saturated. Analysts estimate that China may reach this point around 2015, with steel output hitting 450–500 million tons. Based on oxygen requirements for steelmaking—approximately 1–1.5 million m³/h per million tons of steel—the demand for air separation equipment could reach 1.5–2.25 million m³/h over the past decade. Adding in plant renovations, total demand is expected to hit 3–3.75 million m³/h within the next ten years. With about half of this demand coming from large-scale units (over 30,000 m³/h), there could be 50–60 such units required, alongside 150–180 smaller ones.
Despite long-term growth, near-term challenges persist. Mergers and asset sharing among steel companies may delay some equipment procurements. Meanwhile, coal-to-oil projects are also boosting demand. With an estimated investment of 110 million yuan per 10,000 tons of coal-based oil, and a target of 30 million tons/year by 2015, the sector is expected to invest 350 billion yuan over the decade. Air separation equipment will account for 350,000–14,000 m³/h of oxygen per 100,000 tons of output, leading to a projected demand of 4.15–4.2 million m³/h by 2015.
Methanol production has also been rising rapidly, with annual growth rates exceeding 10% in recent years. By 2015, production is expected to reach 30 million tons, requiring an additional 2.53 million m³/h of air separation capacity. In the coal chemical industry, large-scale air separation units (50,000–60,000 m³/h) are becoming standard, with around 135 sets needed for coal-to-oil and methanol projects.
Ethylene, a key feedstock for plastics and synthetic materials, is another driver. China’s ethylene output is set to grow significantly, reaching 25 million tons by 2015 and nearly 40 million by 2020. This will require approximately 900,000 m³/h of new air separation capacity, translating into about 30 large-scale units.
Fertilizer production remains a major sector, with China producing 45.2 million tons annually. As the industry shifts from naphtha and heavy oil to coal, each 300,000-ton-per-year plant requires a 48,000 m³/h air separation unit.
Overall, by 2015, China's total air separation demand is expected to range between 10.5 and 11.4 million m³/h, with an average annual demand of 1.04–1.14 million m³/h. This would require 20–25 large units of 30,000 m³/h or more, though many small and medium-sized units are also being deployed in various applications.
Technological advancement is now a top priority. While foreign firms have already developed units over 100,000 m³/h, Chinese manufacturers are focusing on scaling up to 70,000–80,000 m³/h to meet growing needs. The internal compression process has also seen progress, but new technologies like IGCC and COREX are pushing for even more diverse and efficient solutions.
Oxygen purity standards are also evolving. Although 99.6% is common, some processes benefit from lower purity oxygen, which can reduce costs. International companies have already explored this, aiming to tailor oxygen supply to specific industrial needs.
On the global stage, Chinese air separation companies are expanding their reach. After entering the gas business in 2002, several firms have successfully exported large units to Turkey, Serbia, and Iran. These projects not only highlight technical capabilities but also signal China’s growing influence in the international market.
Looking ahead, while China is set to remain a major player in air separation equipment manufacturing, the challenge lies in achieving leadership in design and innovation. As the industry continues to grow, the goal is not just to produce, but to lead in technology and global competitiveness.