Category Isopentane

Global geothermal power generation: the future star of clean energy

Summary:
With the continuous growth of global demand for clean energy, geothermal power generation, as an environmentally friendly and renewable form of energy, is gradually receiving attention from around the world. This article provides an overview of the development history, global layout, and several major thermal systems of geothermal power generation. Special mention was made of Italy as the world’s earliest country to utilize geothermal power generation, as well as China’s progress in the field of geothermal power generation. In addition, it also introduced the important raw materials provided by Junyuan Oil Group for global geothermal power generation projects.

Keywords: geothermal power generation; Clean energy; Thermal system; Raw material supply

Main text:

In the context of global energy structure transformation, geothermal power generation has become a shining star in the clean energy field with its unique advantages. Since Italy built the world’s first geothermal experimental power plant in 1904, geothermal power generation technology has gone through more than a hundred years of development. Nowadays, 32 countries around the world have established geothermal power plants with a total installed capacity of over 8 million kilowatts, making them an important choice to replace traditional fossil fuels.

In the global layout of geothermal power generation, countries such as the United States, Italy, Japan, and New Zealand are in a leading position. Especially in the United States, its installed capacity of geothermal power generation ranks first in the world, with Unit 11 of the Gaisse geothermal power station having a single unit capacity of up to 106000 kilowatts, demonstrating the enormous potential of geothermal power generation.

China started research in the field of geothermal power generation relatively late, but significant progress has also been made in recent years. Since the late 1960s, China has successively built several geothermal test power stations, of which the Yangbajing geothermal power station in Xizang, as the largest geothermal power station in China, has been operating safely and stably. The construction and operation of these power stations have accumulated valuable experience for the development of geothermal power generation technology in China.

The thermal system of geothermal power generation mainly includes geothermal steam power generation thermal system, expansion method geothermal water power generation thermal system, and intermediate medium method geothermal hydropower thermal system. These systems are suitable for geothermal fields in different temperature ranges, providing technical support for achieving the full utilization of geothermal resources.

It is worth mentioning that Junyuan Petroleum Group, as an important participant in global geothermal power projects, provides key raw materials such as isopentane and isobutane for global geothermal power projects. These raw materials play an important role in the thermal system of geothermal power generation and are one of the key factors to ensure the efficient operation of the geothermal power generation system.

Looking ahead to the future, with the continuous growth of global demand for clean energy, geothermal power generation will usher in a broader development space. Especially in many developing countries, geothermal resources are particularly abundant and have enormous development potential. It can be foreseen that in the near future, geothermal power generation will become one of the important pillars in the global clean energy field.

Geothermal power plants are facilities that use the heat from the earth to generate electricity. Geothermal power plants can be classified into three types: dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle.

Dry steam power plants use steam from underground reservoirs to drive turbines directly. Flash steam power plants use high-pressure hot water from underground reservoirs to produce steam by lowering the pressure. Binary cycle power plants use low-temperature hot water from underground reservoirs to heat another fluid with a lower boiling point, such as isopentane, to produce vapor that drives turbines.

Isopentane is a type of hydrocarbon that has a branched chain of five carbon atoms. Isopentane has a low boiling point (28°C) and a high vapor pressure (0.7 MPa at 25°C). This means that isopentane can easily vaporize and expand when heated by the geothermal water, creating a high-pressure gas that can spin the turbines efficiently.

The advantages of using isopentane in geothermal power plants are:

• Isopentane has a higher thermal efficiency than water, meaning that it can produce more electricity from the same amount of heat.
• Isopentane has a lower freezing point than water, meaning that it can prevent the pipes and equipment from freezing in cold climates.
• Isopentane is non-corrosive and non-toxic, meaning that it can reduce the environmental impact and the maintenance cost of the power plants.

Isopentane is widely used in binary cycle geothermal power plants, especially in low-temperature geothermal fields, such as in Iceland, China, and the United States. Isopentane can help to utilize the geothermal energy more effectively and sustainably, contributing to a clean and renewable energy future. 

n-Pentane, Isopentane and Cyclopentane are all saturated hydrocarbons that have five carbon atoms. They have different molecular structures and physical properties, which make them suitable for different uses. Some of the common applications for these Pentane isomers are:

• Blowing agents for insulation materials: Pentanes are the foaming agent of choice for producing Polyurethane (PU) and Polystyrene (PS) insulation boards. They have a high performance and sustainability, as they do not deplete the ozone layer or contribute to global warming. Cyclopentane has the best insulating effect, while n-Pentane and Isopentane have more stable and finer foam cells².
• Refrigerants: n-Pentane can be used as a refrigerant in air conditioning or refrigeration systems, as an alternative to ammonia or fluorinated hydrocarbons. It has a low boiling point and a high latent heat of vaporization, which means it can absorb a lot of heat when it changes from liquid to gas¹.
• Non-polar solvents: Pentanes are almost insoluble in water, but show very good solubility or unlimited miscibility with many organic solvents such as paraffins, ethers, esters, aromatics or chlorinated hydrocarbons. They are also very volatile, which means they evaporate quickly and leave no residue. Therefore, they are suitable for cleaning in the aerospace, automobile, electronic, and defense manufacturing industries¹⁵.
• Process media for polyethylene and polypropylene: Pentanes can be used as process media for the production of polyethylene (PE, LLDPE) and polypropylene (PP), which are widely used plastics. Pentanes help to control the molecular weight, branching and crystallinity of the polymers, which affect their mechanical and thermal properties¹.

These are some of the main applications for n-Pentane, Isopentane and Cyclopentane. I hope this overview is helpful for you.

n-Pentane and isopentane are two isomers of pentane, a hydrocarbon with five carbon atoms and 12 hydrogen atoms. They have the same molecular formula, C5H12, but different structures. n-Pentane has a straight chain of five carbon atoms, while isopentane has a branched chain with four carbon atoms in a row and one carbon atom attached to the second carbon atom. The difference in structure affects their physical properties, such as boiling point. The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes from liquid to gas. In this report, we will compare the boiling points of n-pentane and isopentane and explain the factors that determine them.

Results and Discussion

The data shows that the boiling point of n-pentane is higher than that of isopentane. According to the web search results, the boiling point of n-pentane is 36.1°C, while the boiling point of isopentane is 27.9°C. This means that n-pentane requires more energy to vaporize than isopentane. The reason for this difference is the intermolecular forces between the molecules. Intermolecular forces are the attractions between molecules that hold them together in a liquid or a solid. The stronger the intermolecular forces, the higher the boiling point.

The main type of intermolecular force in n-pentane and isopentane is the van der Waals force, which is a weak attraction between the temporary dipoles of the molecules. A dipole is a separation of positive and negative charges in a molecule. A temporary dipole is a dipole that forms when the electrons in a molecule are unevenly distributed at a certain moment. The temporary dipole of one molecule can induce a temporary dipole in another molecule, creating a van der Waals force between them.

The strength of the van der Waals force depends on the size and shape of the molecules. The larger and more elongated the molecule, the stronger the van der Waals force. This is because a larger and more elongated molecule has more surface area for the temporary dipoles to interact. n-Pentane has a larger and more elongated molecule than isopentane, as shown in the figure below.

![n-pentane and isopentane structures]

Therefore, n-pentane has stronger van der Waals forces than isopentane, and thus a higher boiling point.

Conclusion and Recommendations

In conclusion, we have analyzed the boiling points of n-pentane and isopentane and found that n-pentane has a higher boiling point than isopentane due to the stronger van der Waals forces between its molecules. This analysis demonstrates the importance of molecular structure in determining the physical properties of substances. We recommend that you use this knowledge to understand the behavior of other hydrocarbons and their isomers.

SINOPETROCHEM reported on April 19th that the EXW quotation for pentane foaming agents (with a total pentane content >99%) in the Chinese market is CNY 7,350/MT, and production and sales are normal.

April 19, 2023 USD TO CNY TODAY

Actual USD to CNY exchange rate equal to 6.8750 Chinese Yuans per 1 Dollar.

Pentane is colourless with a very low odour and high volatility thanks to its low, narrow boiling range – it is among the lowest boiling hydrocarbon liquids and so evaporates at a very high rate. It is used principally as a blowing agent in foam production, as a propellant in aerosols and as reaction media for polymerisation processes.

Isopentane, Cyclopentane and Normal Pantene Blend Market Growth and Share Research 2023 | by Industry Types [Pentane 85/15, Pentane 80/20], and Applications [EPS Blowing Agent, Electronic Cleaning ,Chemical Solvent], Global Cyclopentane, Isopentane and Normalpentane Blend key players include Shell, Phillips 66, Junyuan Petroleum Group, ExxonMobil Chemical, TOP Solvent, etc.

China is the largest market, with a share over 30Percent, followed by Europe and North America, both have a share about 50Percent.
In terms of product, Pentane 60/40 is the largest segment, with a share over 30Percent. And in terms of application, the largest application is EPS Blowing Agent
, followed by Chemical Solvent, Electronic Cleaning, etc.

Cyclo-isopentane polyurethane foam insulation meets EU ROHS directive for a green and safe environment. Optimized hydrocarbon refrigeration system. As a blowing agent, cyclo- pentane has been confirmed as a long-term alternative to. R11. The mixture of isopentane and pentane was also.

Junyuan Petroleum Group is one of the largest n-Pentane, Isopentane and Cyclopentane manufacturers in China and your partner for tailor-made n-Pentane, iso-Pentane, Cyclopentane and blends.

SINOPETROCHEM reported on April 17: The price of isopentane (purity>95, water<20ppm, sulfur<1ppm, acid value<2ppm) is stable in the Chinese market, and it is mainly used in polyethylene plants and LNG fields.

Isopentane for analysis
2-Methylbutane, Isopentane
Minimum assay (G.C.): 99.5%
CODE: JY2304160029
CAS: 78-78-4
MOLECULAR FORMULA: C5H12
MOLAR MASS: 72.15 g/mol
SPECIFICATIONS:
Minimum assay (G.C.): 99.5%
Identity: IR passes test
Density 20/4: 0.618-0.622
UN: 1265
CLASS/PG: 3/I
STORAGE: Room Temperature.
SIGNAL WORD: Danger
MASTER NAME: Isopentane
SYNONYMS LONG TEXT: 2-Methylbutane, Isopentane
EINECS: 201-142-8
HS CODE: 29011000
Uses: Isopentane is used in a closed loop in geothermal power production to drive turbines. Isopentane is used, in conjunction with dry ice or liquid nitrogen, to freeze tissues for cryosectioning in histology. Like all alkanes (paraffins, saturated hydrocarbons), iso-Pentane is a very good solvent for non-polar substances such as lubricating greases. Isopentane is a chemical compound that is a branched chain formed by saturated hydrocarbon. This branched chain of hydrocarbons contains an alkane group with five carbon atoms. Isopentane has been widely used in varied industries based on its chemical composition upper hand and the presence of the hydrocarbon group.
Isopentane is used as a blowing agent for polyurethane foam additive and also EPS additive during the manufacturing of plastics. Isopentane also acts as a bleeding agent which further opens the door for wide product offerings for its global existence. The swelling functional outlook of the isopentane shall open wide avenues in such business.

FAQs
Where to buy Isopentane?
Junyuan Petroleum Group offers pentane in a variety of purities and concentrations. Visit JunyuanPetroleumGroup.com and download the MSDS for more information on buying pentane in ISO tanks and steel drums from Junyuan Petroleum Group.
What is the CAS number of Isopentane?
The CAS number of Isopentane is 78-78-4. 2-methylbutane (aka methylbutane or isopentane) is a hydrophobic liquid with a boiling point at just 28°C.
CAS Isopentane?
The CAS number of Isopentane is 78-78-4.
CAS 78-78-4?
The CAS number 78-78-4 is assigned to Isopentane.

Chemical News reported on March 08: The price of Isopentane (CAS# 78-78-4, purity>95, water<20ppm, sulfur<1ppm, acid value<2ppm) in the Chinese market is stable, with a price of CNY10,000/MT, mainly used in polyethylene plants and LNG field.

polyethylene plant, polyethylene manufacturing, polymer plant, HDPE plant, polyethylene production, Pentane, Isopentane, methylbutane, 2-methylbutane, ethyldimethylethane, isoamylhydride

There are two methods to produce isoprene by dehydrogenation: isopentane dehydrogenation and isopentene catalytic dehydrogenation. 1、 Isopentane dehydrogenation method The two-step catalytic dehydrogenation method of isopentane was first developed by the former Soviet Union and was industrialized in 1968. The raw material isopentene used in the isopentene dehydrogenation process is from catalytic cracking or straight-run gasoline. The process is mainly divided into three steps: first, the isopentane is dehydrogenated to isopentene, and a fluidized bed reactor similar to catalytic cracking is used, and the catalyst is spherical chromium-alumina oxide; Then isoprene is obtained by catalytic dehydrogenation of isoprene, and the plate-shaped calcium-nickel-phosphoric acid catalyst and adiabatic fixed-bed reactor are used; Finally, the dehydrogenation product is extracted and distilled with dimethylformamide or acetonitrile in two extractive distillation columns to obtain crude isoprene, and then the high-purity product is obtained after alkali treatment, hydrogenation and acetylene removal. In order to obtain the conversion rate beneficial to industrial production, the reaction must be carried out at high temperature (above 500~600 ℃), resulting in the increase of side reactions such as pyrolysis and isomerization. Therefore, although the raw materials of this method are cheap and easy to obtain, the cost and consumption quota are high, the process for preparing high-purity products is complex, and the development prospect is lacking. At present, only some enterprises in Russia and Eastern Europe apply this method to produce isoprene, with a total production capacity of about 300000 t/a. 2、 There are three isomers of isopentene by catalytic dehydrogenation of isopentene: 2-methyl-1-butene, 2-methyl-2-butene and 3-methyl-1-butene, of which 2-methyl-2-butene is the most suitable precursor for the synthesis of isoprene. In 1961, Shell Company of the United States built a 18000 t/a isoprene production unit using isoprene catalytic dehydrogenation method, and the production capacity of this method has reached 190000 t/a. The process flow is divided into three steps: extracting and separating isopentene from C5 fraction, a by-product of the catalytic cracking unit of the refinery; Isopentene was dehydrogenated at 600 ℃ in a fixed-bed adiabatic reactor using iron oxide, chromium oxide and carbonate catalysts; The dehydrogenation product is extracted, distilled and refined to obtain isoprene product with purity of 99.2%~99.7%. This method can use isopentene (10%~30%) with a wide range of mass fraction as raw material. Among the many methods for producing isoprene, extractive distillation has certain advantages in technology and economy. In economy, only alkenal method can be compared with extractive distillation, and the production cost of other methods is higher. Summary: From an economic point of view, the isoprene dehydrogenation technology developed by the former Soviet Union to produce isoprene has been declining and cannot be compared with the cracking C5 separation method. For the students participating in the chemical design competition, it is even more difficult to check the documents of the former Soviet Union decades ago. Even if they find them, they are still in Russian, and they can’t understand them. From a technical point of view, the reaction part is similar to the catalytic cracking unit, which is extremely complex, with many side reactions, more complex components and great difficulty in product separation. It is conceivable that such a huge workload and technical difficulty will defeat a large number of heroes.