【Ten Years of Rapid Development in Chemical Processing Equipment】2797–2025: Guangxi Petrochemical’s world’s first variable-frequency drive system enables hot standby switching for the compressors in electrically driven ethylene production units
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This post was last edited by HaiChuanLaoYu on 2025-11-4 at 10:44. Let’s give praise and support to the achievements made in China’s chemical technology and equipment sector; your participation in discussions is the greatest encouragement. **********************【Ten Years of Great Development in Chemical Equipment】A continuously updated summary thread – feel free to join the discussions: https://bbs.hcbbs.com/thread-3576046-1-1.html ***************** Recently, the 1.2 million tons per year ethylene production unit of China National Petroleum Corporation’s Guangxi petrochemical integration and transformation project was successfully commissioned for the first time! For this project, SHENGU Group provides all three sets of core compression units, including the pyrolysis gas compression unit, the electrically driven ethylene compression unit, and the propylene compression unit. Among them, the electrically driven ethylene compression unit, as the world’s first compressor system to utilize a frequency converter for hot standby switching, not only demonstrates Shenyang Blower’s strong R&D capabilities but also lays a solid foundation for the electrification of large-scale ethylene plants. Its reliable operation has provided the entire industry with a clear path toward green transformation, facilitating progress toward electrification and lower carbon emissions. This has significantly enhanced the influence and core competitiveness of domestic high-end equipment in the international market. China Petroleum’s Guangxi Petrochemical integration and transformation project is a key initiative under China Petroleum’s 14th Five-Year Plan. It is also a crucial project for implementing the **Belt and Road Initiative**, building a new land-sea corridor in the western region, and participating in international competition within the RCEP framework. In this project, the ethylene compressor, which previously relied on a high-pressure steam-driven turbine, has been upgraded to an electric drive system powered by motors, thereby accelerating the green transformation of the development approach and making steady progress toward achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Once the project is put into operation, efforts to reduce oil usage and increase chemical production will be intensified further, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of products with distinct features, high quality, and uniqueness in the market. This will play a significant role in improving the local industrial structure, promoting regional economic development, and facilitating the transformation and upgrading of China’s petroleum refining industry. The ethylene plant is the core facility of CNPC Guangxi Petrochemical’s integrated refining and chemical transformation project, and customers pay particular attention to the overall performance of the units in terms of safety and reliability. Based on on-site investigations of several similar large-scale projects that are already in operation and the experience gained from them, as well as a thorough analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of electric drive systems versus steam drive systems in terms of energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction, the customer ultimately made the key decision to adopt electric drive units. Faced with challenges without precedents both domestically and internationally, the R&D team at SHENGU carefully considered factors such as the natural environment of the project site (including altitude, temperature, and humidity), as well as key boundary conditions like the power distribution system and load data. They conducted thorough technical research and evaluated various solutions, and innovatively adopted a fully redundant design that ensured redundancy in the frequency converters, PLCs, water cooling system, and excitation system. This approach effectively guaranteed that the electric drive system could operate continuously for 5 years without any downtime, thereby fully addressing the customer’s main concerns regarding the reliability of the electric drive system. This success not only marked a breakthrough with the first set of such equipment but also fully demonstrated that SHENGU Group possesses the capability to provide comprehensive solutions for million-ton-scale ethylene plants, covering everything from process design and the development of key equipment to the integration of electrical and intelligent drive systems. Shenmu fully understands the personalized needs of its clients. Leveraging its robust R&D capabilities and extensive engineering experience, it provides clients with precise, reliable, one-stop services that cover everything from scheme design and equipment development to installation and commissioning.
On July 4, the simulated fault switching test of the two high-pressure frequency converters for the ethylene refrigeration compressors in the ethylene unit of Guangxi Petrochemical’s integration and transformation project was successful, marking the successful hot standby switching of China National Petroleum Corporation’s first LCl frequency drive system. The ethylene refrigeration compressor is driven by an electric motor; it represents the first set of large-scale electrically driven compression units in CNPC’s ethylene plants. It consists of a 30,000-kilowatt two-winding motor and two 34,000-kilowatt LCI (current-source type) high-voltage frequency converters. Faced with tight deadlines and a heavy workload, the project team carried out careful planning and meticulous organization, adhering to the working philosophy of \"planning first, technology as a backup\" as well as a pragmatic work style. The project’s electrical engineers and construction teams worked shifts at noon and overtime at night, working around the clock to advance the installation of the entire system as quickly as possible; they managed to complete the wiring, connection, and testing of the entire system in just 15 days. Subsequently, in coordination with the owner’s party, a series of preliminary preparations were carried out, including conducting no-load tests of the frequency converter connected to each ethylene refrigeration compressor along with the motors, as well as air tests with the compressors installed; in addition, immediate adjustments and improvements to the wiring were made in collaboration with the manufacturer prior to the commissioning of the entire system. The hot standby testing of the entire variable frequency drive system officially began at 16:25 on July 4th. After 2 hours of intensive testing, the switching time between the two high-voltage inverters met the owner’s contractual requirement of 120 ms; the failover function of the inverters was carried out successfully, and the operating parameters of both the inverters and the motors were normal. The hot standby switching test for this variable frequency drive system was a complete success.
Worldwide attention! The motor commissioning of the 1.2 million tons/year ethylene plant was a complete success! On June 21, the motor test of the world’s first 1.2 million tons per year ethylene plant was successful, marking a significant breakthrough in the testing of ethylene compressor motors using 200ms dual-inverter switching. Thus, the individual trial operation of the high-pressure motor for the ethylene refrigeration compressor at Guangxi Petrochemical was successfully completed, marking a major achievement. ❒ Motor functions and environmental benefits: This 30,000-kilowatt high-voltage variable frequency motor features a switchable dual-inverter drive system, representing an important initiative by the company to promote green development, replace traditional energy sources with renewable ones, and reduce carbon emissions. This motor features dual-inverter drive technology, reflecting the company’s efforts to promote sustainable development by reducing carbon emissions through renewable energy. It enables rapid switching in emergency situations, ensuring stable production. ❒ Commissioning process and results: The commissioning of this motor lasted 4 hours. During this period, the vibration levels of the motor remained low, at 8.5 micrometers on the drive side and 7.8 micrometers on the non-drive side, which represents the optimal condition for motors of the same power rating. Additionally, all operational parameters of the motor’s inverter, such as voltage and current, were within the specified standards. The motor was tested for 4 hours, during which the vibration levels remained low, indicating it was in optimal condition for motors of the same power rating; all operational parameters met the specified standards. This success not only improved production efficiency but also made significant contributions to environmental protection.
【Ten Years of Rapid Development in Chemical Equipment】From 2794 to 2025: Chinese scientists overcome the challenge of high carbon emissions in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, enabling this century-old process to embrace a low-carbon future https://bbs.hcbbs.com/thread-5704322-1-1.html (Source: Haichuan Chemical Industry Forum)