| |
Bromine is used in numerous inorganic and organic compounds. Since it is an element, it cannot be substituted by other materials without the properties of the compound being changed, often significantly. However, some bromine compounds, especially organic compounds, are susceptible to substitution by products with completely different chemistries. Important attributes for its use in inorganic compounds include its oxidation potential and its relatively high molecular weight (compared with chlorine). Since bromine is so expensive to transport because of the lead containers required and safety issues, most brominated flame retardants are produced near the brine and bromine source, and shipped as finished product.
Globally, the largest application for bromine is the production of brominated flame retardants, accounting for about 48% of all bromine consumption. Clear brine fluids are second, but far behind at about 11%. Actual consumption of clear brine fluids is higher as more fluids are being reclaimed for economical and environmental reasons. Hydrogen bromide (HBr) is used as a catalyst in the production of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and accounts for about 4.4% of bromine consumption. Methyl bromide consumption, primarily as a fumigant, accounts for 3.0% of bromine consumption, but is declining per the Montreal Protocol on the Ozone Layer. Water treatment accounted for 4.4% of consumption. Sodium and ammonium bromides and brominated hydantoins are used primarily in three regions—the United States, Western Europe and China. All other applications accounted for the remainder. Use as intermediates in the production of multiple organic compounds is the leading application in this segment. Production of pharmaceuticals, agricultural/pesticides and dyes accounts for a large portion of this usage. All uses are seeing significant growth in China and India.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of bromine compounds:
China has rapidly increased its bromine production, but these brines are being diluted and long-term production is not expected to maintain this growth. India has also increased capacity and production. Ukraine had increased capacity but suspended some of its production beginning in late 2008 because of its not being competitive in the marketplace. U.S. capacity is also believed to be declining with no new wells being drilled. It is uncertain whether the Republic of Korea is still producing elemental bromine.
China is forecast to have the highest consumption growth rate, at almost 4% annually during 2008–2013, as a result of continued use in brominated flame retardants, clear brine fluids, and as intermediates in organic synthesis, in particular pharmaceuticals, agricultural/pesticides and dyes. Globally, use of bromine in brominated flame retardants is declining, but it is being buoyed to some extent by increased consumption as bromides in clear brine fluids in deepwater oil and gas drilling and workover operations.
|
