MechChem Africa December 2018

⎪ Petrochemical, oil and gas ⎪

The uprising – a natural gas movement

N atural gas caters for approximate- ly one-fifth of the world’s total energy requirements. Food and beverage, pulp and paper, metals, chemicals, petroleum refining, glass, plastics and power generation industries account for nearly 40% of total consumption. The recent discoveries of natural gas in SouthernAfrica, which includes trillions of cu- bicmetres discovered in theRovumaBasinoff the Mozambique coast, have marked one of themost active periods for numerous energy reliant industries. The newly available gas is expected to spark an increase in Natural Gas usage, marking a new dawn for the Southern African energy landscape. Access to natural gas in South Africa is rapidly expanding due to a gas distribution network being implemented by Virtual Gas Network (VGN), a division of CNG Holdings.

An opportunity for many The increase in the availability of natural gas presents an opportunity for many industries to significantly increase profitability while reducing energy costs. In its effectiveness, natural gas provides a consistently high energy heat of about 39.22 MJ (10.89 kWh) per m 3 , which is an eco- nomically friendlier option than most fossil based fuels. Natural gas burns cleaner than most fossil fuels, reduc- ing stench; it improves equipment and

Above: VGN can safely and economically transport natural gas to refuelling stations, gas distribution networks, industries, power generation systems, and to customers who are not on an existing gas pipeline. Right: Gas supply equipment can be installed at no direct cost to customers, who only pay for the natural gas used. a range of industries, as well as taxis, petrol anddiesel fleets andwarehouse forklifts in various storage and logisti- cal applications, to natural gas. VGN can safely and economically trans- port natural gas to refuelling stations, gas distribution networks, industries, power generation systems, as well as to customers who are not on an existing gas pipeline. The trailer road distribution system is specifically designed to provide solutions for customers who are remotely situated from an existing pipeline; large industrial/ com- mercial customers within a 300 km radius of a compression station; and smaller customers that will form part of a larger distribution network, such as industrial parks, housing developments, and mixed use developments. The road distribution system can supply to customers who have no direct access to the existing gas network and who want an alternative energy source to liquidpetroleum gas, diesel, paraffin or coal. All gas supply equipment can be installed and provided at no direct cost to customers, who only pay for the CNG used. q

otherfossilfuels.Forthisreason,VGNwasen- listed to convert the coal-burning boiler sys- tems of 10 state-owned hospitals to cleaner natural gas. Themove is part of government’s Green Initiative, which encourages healthier energy alternatives. Recognising the importance of reducing carbon emissions and foreseeing the ben- efits a low carbon economy could bring, the South African government has committed to greenhouse gas emissions’ reductions of 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025 through the introduction of the Carbon Tax Bill. Natural gas will play a critical role in as- sisting companies to adequately revise their energymodels in light of this Bill. Natural gas, which emits up to 27% less CO 2 and other GHGs thanother fossil fuels, will playa critical role in allowing companies to maintain their production targets under a cleaner, healthier and effective energy dispensation. VGN has already converted canneries, hospitals, and manufacturing and assembly plants across

plant performance and reducesmaintenance byminimising the build-upof carbon residues withincomponents,which reducesdowntime. On par with government’s green initiatives Johannesburg, South Africa, is one of the first areas to benefit from the newly ac- cessible natural gas network. This is being made possible through the development of a rapidly expanding gas distribution network by Virtual Gas Network (VGN), a division of CNG Holdings. It is a road distribution service on a commercial-scale, supplying natural gas in South Africa. The network is availabletobusinesseswithina300-kmradius of Johannesburg and will soon be launched in KZN. Natural gas is an environmentally friendly energy alternative: It emits lower levels of harmful emissions such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides, and pro- duces fewer greenhouse gases compared to

December 2018 • MechChem Africa ¦ 25