A Study of the Feasibility of Establishing a Chemical and Plastics Industry in Northeastern Minnesota. Sections 6-8 and Appendixes

摘要

The petroleum available to northeastern Minnesota by pipeline is in adequate supply and at a low enough cost for the development of a petrochemical industry. The natural gas now available by pipeline to the area is probably adequate only for domestic and minor industrial consumption, and its cost would be prohibitive for use as a chemical raw material. There appears to be no market immediately available, or on the horizon, which would make the manufacture of chemical intermediates from either petroleum or natural gas economically attractive in the area. Probably the nearest thing to a market for a chemical intermediate is that for formaldehyde for the manufacture of thermosetting resins -- phenolic, urea, and melamine. Such an operation would require a source of methanol. Small package plants for the manufacture of formaldehyde from methanol are available on a turn-key basis. Even though the market for formaldehyde in the area does not warrant immediate consideration of such a plant, production of formaldehyde from purchased methanol probably offers the most attractive opportunity for production of chemical intermediates in the reasonably foreseeable future. (Author)