CARIBBEAN ENERGY INFORMATION SYSTEM (CEIS) APRIL 2013 ISSUE
Prophylene and Its Use in the Manufacturing Industry
Image source: http://www.dow.com/propyleneglycol/about/
W h a t i s P ro p y l e n e ?
P
ropylene is a fuel gas, a member of the olefins family made of a hydrocarbon molecule comprising three carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms, C3H6. The propylene molecule is produced as a coproduct of ethylene production through the steam cracking of ethane to naphtha and gas oils. Propylene is also produced as a by-product of petroleum refining.
The petrochemical Propylene (also known as propene), is one of the most important organic compounds produced industrially and is very reactive due to its compound build up. Propylene has a tendency to undergo reactions in which compounds are added to it at room temperature.
The heating of Natural gas or straight-chain gasoline at extremely high temperatures with steam produces “Propylene.” It is also produced naturally from the burning of organic matter. To access CEIS website CARIBBEAN PETROLEUM UPDATE
continued on page 2/ CONTACT US
Caribbean Energy Information System Scientific Research Council Hope Gardens, Kingston 6, Jamaica 1-876-927-1779 (Telephone) 1-876-977-1840 (Fax) ceis@src-jamaica.org www.ceis-caribenergy.org
is a monthly Bulletin which highlights petroleum issues affecting or relevant to the Caribbean, international developments that may affect the region’s way of life and movements in oil prices and retail prices for fuel regionally.
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Call: 1-876-927-1779 | Caribbean Petroleum Update : April 2013
The Uses Of Propylene in the Manufacturing Industry…………………………..continued from page 1 Propylene is obtained via two main routes: either as a co-product of the refinery catalytic cracking process used to make gasoline (resultant product known as refinery grade propylene) or as a co-product of the steam cracking process used to make ethylene (known as chemical grade propylene). There are also a number of technologies for making propylene directly from other feed stocks. The most common of these on-purpose process routes are propane dehydrogenation and metathesis.
Uses of Propylene & its By-Products The main use of propylene is as a monomer, mostly for the production of polypropylene. Propylene is used mainly to produce plastics for injection moulding and fibres. Propylene is also used as a fuel gas for various heating and cutting processes. It has a similar calorific value to propane, but it has a higher flame temperature. Polymer-grade Propylene is the most dominant fuel gas used in the U.S metal working market. There are two ways of synthesizing propylene. One is as a side effect of petroleum refining. The other is by a procedure called cracking, which is used to produce the gas ethylene.
Propylene manufacturing
Not many companies around the world produces propylene, however, one of the most popular is ‘Dow Chemical Company.’ All of the propylene produced for chemical purposes is consumed as a chemical intermediate in other chemical manufacturing processes. Commercial propylene is used to produce polypropylene, acrylonitrile (which is converted to acrylic fibres and coatings), oxo chemicals (which are used in PVC plasticisers and coatings), propylene oxide (which then goes into polyurethane resins and other chemicals), Cumene (which is ultimately used to make epoxy resins and polycarbonate), isopropyl alcohol (which is used as a solvent), acrylic acid and other chemicals which enable the manufacture of many chemicals and plastics. Examples include: Propylene glycols used for paints, household detergents and automotive brake fluids, Polypropylene fibres for indoor/
Source: www.dow.com
Source: www.dow.com
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Caribbean Petroleum Update : April 2013 | Call: 1-876-927-1779
outdoor carpeting, polyurethane systems for rigid foam insulation and flexible foam seat cushions and ABS resins for telephones and automotive trim parts moulded. Consequently, propylene is a key component of countless end use products. Examples include automobile headlights, taillights, disk brake pads and bumpers; carpets; CDs and optical disks; clear film food wrap; eyeglasses; flexible foams used in bedding and furniture; rigid foam insulation; impact-resistant and bullet-proof windows; moulded plastic goods such as buckets, food containers, kitchen utensils and wastebaskets; nitrile rubber hoses, seals and gaskets; paints and protective coatings; grocery bags; synthetic fibres for blankets, sweaters, socks and fleeces; water cooler bottles; and wood products such as plywood, oriented strand board and laminates. In addition to its use as a chemical intermediate, propylene is produced and consumed in refinery operations for the production of gasoline components. Although propylene can be used as a fuel, this is not an economically attractive use. Propylene oxide, a material derived from propylene is used to make products such as glycol eithers, lubricants, surfactants, oil demulsify, soil sterilizers and many other industrial products. Propylene glycol is used to make anti-freeze and resins for reinforced plastics, pharmaceuticals, packaging materials, dyes, and hydraulic fluids and humectants for foods, drugs, cosmetics and pet foods.
Potential Production of Propylene & its By-products in the Caribbean Currently the Caribbean does not produce propylene for sale. However, the potential exists for the construction of a petrochemical plant in the Caribbean to produce propylene as a memorandum of understanding was established in 2007 between the Lyondell Basell Company in collaboration with the National Gas Company and the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago to construct a fully integrated polypropylene complex. The construction of the US$2.3 billion dollar complex was to have begun construction at the end of 2008 and begin operation in 2012, however due to a shortage of financing for mega projects on the international lending market, the process has been slowed down. Despite this challenge, the project is still on stream. The complex is expected to include a methanol-to-propylene processing unit, a methanol production unit (natural gas to methanol) and also a 450,000t/yr polypropylene production plant. The methanol will be produced from natural gas feedstock from fields near Trinidad and Tobago by the National Gas Company (NGC) and the National Energy Corporation (NEC). The polypropylene complex is one of the cornerstones of the country's strategy to promote downstream diversification and to build the foundation for a value adding local plastics industry.
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In addition to the polypropylene complex, Trinidad and Tobago through its two state own agencies NGC and NEC has currently signed onto a project development agreement with Japan’s Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Mitsubishi Corporation and Neal and Massy Holdings (a local group in Port of Spain) to establish a methanol to dimethyl ether (DME) plant at a cost of US$850 million dollars. This plant will commence construction in 2014 with commercial operations scheduled to begin in 2016. This project in particular will seek to provide Trinidad and Tobago opportunities to further diversification of their energy sector.
Possible Health Implications of Propylene Propylene is produced naturally in the environment from sources such as vegetation. It is also released from the combustion of fossil fuels, emissions from gas plants and refineries, fires, motor vehicle exhaust, and tobacco smoke etc. Small amounts may be released from forest/wild fires and from the seepage of natural gas of which propene is an ingredient. These present opportunities for exposure, however, the low concentration levels in the environment are not sufficient to cause adverse effects in humans. According to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency “the main concern associated with releases of propene is that, as a VOC (volatile organic compound, it may be involved in the formation of ground level ozone which can damage crops and materials. However, it is not considered continued on page 7/
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PETROLEUM NEWS & HAPPENINGS OUR in discussion with four on 360 megawatt project [...]...Read more Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Budget Presentation 2013-2014: “Fuelling Our Own Growth” [...]...Read more Advances in defining Caribbean Energy Agenda [...]...Read more Belize top court nulls offshore drilling contracts [...]...Read more
Regional information for oil and gas under the JODI – [...]...read more International Energy Agency, International Energy Forum and discuss data OLADE oil and natural gas in Quito [...]...Read more
ENERGY NEWS – CARICOM ENERGY POLICY [...]...Read more CLARITY NEEDED ON GASOLENE TAX [...]...Read more continued on page 7/
ENTERPRISE TEAM TO OVERSEE PETCOM’S DIVESTMENT [...]...Read more Honduras’ regulatory frameworks and potential of oil and natural gas were analyzed [...].. .Read more 7-10% Cut In Light Bill By July[...].. .Read more Jamaica to Sell Off Petroleum Marketing Company [...]...Read more RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMME ENDS [...]...Read more
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REGULAR UNLEADED GASOLINE AVERAGE PRICES AT THE PUMP APRIL 2013 Retail prices for Regular Unleaded Gasoline in the thirteen Caribbean countries reviewed at the end of April 2013 showed marginal increases in prices for Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Monsterrat and St. Lucia with Monsterrat experiencing the highest increase of 3% from March to April 2013. Prices in Barbados remained stable for the four months period while minimal decreases in prices from March to April were seen in four countries; Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica and St.Kitts and Nevis . The highest decrease in price was 9.6% seen in St. Kitts and Nevis at the end of April 2013.
Regular Unleaded Gasoline Average Retail Price (US$/Litre) 2013 COUNTRIES
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
4 Mths AVG
ANTIGUA/ BARBUDA
1.23
1.23
1.23
1.24
1.24
BAHAMAS [91 OCT]
1.37
1.41
1.52
1.50
1.45
BARBADOS
1.58
1.58
1.58
1.58
1.58
BELIZE [87 OCT]
1.33
1.33
1.54
1.54
1.44
B.V.I [87 OCT]
1.21
1.21
1.30
1.25
1.25
DOMINICA
1.18
1.20
1.28
1.28
1.23
GRENADA (95 OCT)
1.29
1.29
1.35
1.35
1.32
GUYANA
1.06
1.09
1.15
1.16
1.11
JAMAICA 87 Octane[E10]
1.25
1.28
1.26
1.23
1.26
MONTSERRAT
1.38
1.47
1.23
1.27
1.34
ST. KITTS/ NEVIS
1.35
1.33
1.35
1.22
1.31
ST. LUCIA
1.26
1.26
1.28
1.30
1.27
ST. VINCENT/ GRENADINES
1.22
1.22
1.15
1.15
1.19
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NOTE: *US Gallon = 3.785 L *Imperial Gallon = 4.546 L *As at November 1, 2009 MTBE was phased out from all gasoline blends in Jamaica and replaced with 10% Ethanol.
(CEIS)
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Call: 1-876-927-1779 | Caribbean Petroleum Update : April 2013
See prices for all products at www.cippet.org
Image source: http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/l/living_expenses.asp
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LETTER OF THE DAY – JPS MISSES THE POINT [...]...Read more
APRIL NEWS continued from page 4/ A MADURO WIN WON’T KEEP PETROCARIBE INTACT — HUGHES [...]… Read more
Energy secretary nominee backs gas [...]… Read more
Gunmen hit Shell plant in late-night raid using five fuel tankers – $15-m gas robbery [...]… Read more
Electricity bidder proposes LNG power barges [...]...Read more
JPS PROMISES LOWER APRIL BILLS [...]...Read more
WORK TO BEGIN ON 360-MEGAWATT CAPACITY PLANT THIS YEAR [...]… Read more
5% REDUCTION ON APRIL ELECTRICITY BILLS JPS SAYS [...]…Read more
GASOLINE INCREASED $2.31 PER LITRE [...]...Read more
Petcom to add two more service stations [...]...Read more
GAS PRO ADDS STORAGE CAPACITY TO EXPLOIT PROPANE MARKET [...]… Read more
Petrojam Ethanol ends 4-year drought [...]… Read more The Uses Of Propylene in the Manufacturing Industry Continued from page 3/ likely that propene pollution has any considerable effects on the global environment” (source http:// apps.sepa.org.uk ). On the other hand, releases of propene may occur during its manufacturing and chemical processing. Inhalation of high concentrations of propylene can cause oxygendeficiency that will likely present adverse symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, poor coordination, memory loss, numbness of extremities,
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JPS wants quick sign-off on new power plant bid [...]...Read more
seizures and more seriously, asphyxia. However, according to Dow Chemical Company (producer of propylene) “the asphyxiation limit for humans is about 10 times higher (236,000 ppm) than the lower flammability level for propylene” (source: http://www. dow.com in 2007).
“there is also the possible exposure to NORMs, naturally occurring radioactive materials as propylene is associated with Radon-222. As a precaution, special protective clothing should be worn near equipment that is potentially contaminated with radon or other radioactive isotopes (source: http://www.lyondellbasell. com in 2007).
Furthermore, dermal contact with the liquid (pressurized) form of propylene can result in tissue freezing, severe cold burn and frostbite. Additionally, according to the American Chemistry Council Product Stewardship Manual January 2007, during propylene manufacturing and use in the chemical industry
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US$/BBL
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International Crude Oil prices over the three months period Feb-Apr 2013 saw prices in April averaging, US $91.86/BBL. When compared to the average prices seen in February and March, this average price was approximately 4.5% and 0.4% lower respectively. The highest weekly price seen in April for the product was US$95.07/BBL - reflected in week one while the lowest price recorded was US$ 88.00 seen in week three. This decrease appears to be related to a weaker than expected demand for the product and an increase in production. An average of the three month’s average prices reflected US$93.43/BBL. 
Average Monthly World Crude Oil Prices (2010 - 2012)
US$/BBL
109.61
106.0
110 100
88.14
90 80 70
2010
2011
2012
60
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