Polypropylene production at Unit 2 of Lanzhou Petrochemical’s polyolefins department has successfully switched to a new domestic catalyst

Thread Content

On October 21, the Polyolefins Department 2 of Lanzhou Petrochemical successfully tested a new domestic catalyst during the conversion process to produce the polypropylene material EP533N for use in automotive applications. This approach expanded the range of domestic catalysts that can be used for this product, thereby reducing production costs effectively. The staff carry out their tasks carefully. The polypropylene material for automotive use, EP533N, features good flowability and a balanced ratio of stiffness to toughness. It has a low odor level and low volatile compound content; its odor rating is below 3.0 on the Volkswagen PV3900 evaluation standard. It is widely used in the production of high-end automotive dashboard components and household appliance housings, and has received high praise from end-users, making it a benchmark product in the industry. The use of a new domestic catalyst this time poses a significant challenge to the stable operation of the system. To ensure the successful transition to production with this new catalyst, Department 2 for Polyolefins organized special seminars. Taking into account the actual operation of the plant and using the production metrics and operational data from the pilot plant at Lanzhou Chemical Research Center as references, the department conducted a systematic study of the control methods for key process parameters and strategies for adjusting critical indicators. It identified the key control points, refined the operating procedures, carefully developed plans for testing domestically produced catalysts, and established emergency response measures. All staff were trained in these aspects, thereby providing a solid foundation for the smooth introduction of the new domestic catalysts. During the trial period, the polypropylene plant strictly implemented a customized control plan tailored to each product; management and technical personnel monitored the process throughout the entire operation and provided on-site supervision. They focused on key process parameters such as the gas ratio, reaction pressure, material level, and temperature in the vapor-phase reactor R401, carrying out dynamic monitoring and precise control throughout the process. The personnel on duty carry out thorough inspections, close monitoring of the systems, and precise operations; they keep a close eye on the operating parameters of the reactor, accurately track changes in the pressure within the extruder barrel, increase the frequency of sampling and analysis during the process, and adjust key parameters such as the amount of ethylene and hydrogen added based on the analysis results. They also strictly control the amount of catalyst used and the quality of the product, ensuring that the process operates smoothly and under control and that the product meets all required standards. This approach has fully demonstrated the reliability and suitability of domestically produced catalysts.