Liaoyang Petrochemical: A small “filter bag” solves a big problem”

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On July 7, Ma Hongwei, the director of the polyethylene workshop at Liaoyang Petrochemical Olefins Plant, was overjoyed holding the newly prepared analysis report. It turns out that by using new coated filter bags in the bag filter, significant cost savings and improved efficiency were achieved; waste residue was reduced by 41 tons compared to before, and the cycle required for cleaning the filter unit was significantly extended. 　　The 11510X bag filter is a key device for separating the polyethylene product powder after fluidization bed processing. As an essential step in the production process, conventional filter bags were previously used, with a filtration precision of 15 microns; this not only led to severe powder leakage but also posed environmental problems such as dust contamination. 　　During the maintenance work on Line B of the polymerization unit, Liaoyang Petrochemical emphasized technological innovation, focusing on mobilizing and leveraging the wisdom and potential of frontline employees, so that every employee could play a key role in improving efficiency. Frontline employees at the grassroots level proactively offered suggestions, proposing to upgrade the filter bags by using new coated filter bags with a filtration precision of 5 microns. Following the implementation of modifications and system upgrades, the polyethylene powder that leaks from the bag filters enters the plant’s wastewater treatment and recycling system, from where it is discharged from the recovery tank. This has **reduced material losses, and the amount of polyethylene waste generated has been significantly decreased. 　　“The results were surprisingly good after using the new filter bags. At the device manufacturing site, the powder is almost invisible to the naked eye. In the past, the waste tanks would fill up in two or three months, and emptying them was a routine task. Since the renovation this year, there has been no need for cleaning once so far, saving a significant amount of money that would otherwise have been spent on external services. ”said Chu Changtao, the shift supervisor of the facility. What is saved is what is earned; the employees’ innovative ideas not only resolved the problem of powder leakage at the site over the years but also reduced the workload of front-line staff as well as the operational pressure on the wastewater treatment and recycling system. At present, this workshop is taking measures such as optimizing operations and ensuring precise handling in its efforts to \"find gold in the dirt\", aiming to make significant progress in improving the quality and efficiency of the company through even the smallest steps taken by its frontline employees.