Competitive Position of Natural Gas: Plastic Forming and Curing Applications

摘要

The summary is based on two Gas Research Institute (GRI) full reports, 'Competitive Position of Natural Gas: Central Thermal Fluid Systems (CTFS) for Plastics Curing and Forming,' and 'Competitive Position of Natural Gas: Ovens for Curing and Heating Plastics Sheet and Film.' The results of these studies indicate that gas-fired CTFSs are strongly competitive with other methods of platen heating, especially at moderate to large sizes. The total potential market is about 5 to 6 billion cubic feet per year (Bcf/yr) for CTFS and from 5 to 10 Bcf/yr for gas-fired laminate or sheet product curing ovens. Because temperature control is less accurate and responsive for gas-fired infrared curing ovens, electric ovens dominate the market. However, the lower capital and operating cost of the gas equipment may provide sufficient margin for incorporation of improved temperature controls that would enable gas to satisfy process requirements at the lowest cost.