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Breakthrough achieved in China’s first project to produce ethylene glycol from waste gas. Author/Source: Coal Chemicals Journal. Date: August 23, 2021. Clicks: 16. On August 16, the largest turbine in Asia, part of China’s first project to produce ethylene glycol from waste gas – the 400,000-ton-per-year ethylene glycol production facility operated by Hami Guanghui Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. – was successfully started up after a single attempt, and its overspeed test was completed successfully. The turbine reached its rated speed, with all parameters meeting the technical specifications; all system equipment was operating smoothly, laying a solid foundation for the commencement of operations at this facility. Faced with a tight schedule and high standards for management, from the project’s inception, the project team of China National Chemical Corporation’s 11th Company’s Fourth Engineering Company carried out thorough planning. It made full use of the company’s extensive experience in the construction of ethylene glycol projects, carefully analyzed the potential difficulties and challenges that might arise during project execution, and took proactive steps with meticulous planning. To ensure a successful first start-up of the turbine, various departments worked closely together and coordinated actively, adhering to high standards and strict requirements in carrying out the work. A scientific and reasonable work plan as well as a detailed start-up plan were developed, and the precautions and safety measures that needed to be observed during the turbine’s start-up process were thoroughly explained. Taking this successful commissioning of the turbine as an opportunity, the project team will continue to uphold the spirit of hard work, make every effort to carry out the subsequent tasks of the project, and achieve the goal of starting up the operation as soon as possible. The construction of the Guanghui ethylene glycol project is located in the Naomaohu Industrial Park, Yiwu County, Hami City, Xinjiang, with a total investment of 3.56 billion yuan. The project adopts the third-generation \"WHB syngas-based polyester-grade ethylene glycol\" technology, jointly developed by China Five Rings and Huashuo Technology Co., Ltd. as well as Hebi BMW (Group) Co., Ltd. Through a series of processes including conversion, shift reaction, low-temperature methanol washing, and PSA adsorption separation, the valuable syngas components hydrogen and carbon monoxide present in raw gas are extracted, and high-end chemical products – polyester-grade ethylene glycol – are produced using carbonylation, hydrogenation, and purification technologies. Compared with coal-based ethylene glycol production projects, using waste gas to produce ethylene glycol can save more than 30% in project construction costs. It significantly reduces the production costs of ethylene glycol and enhances the overall profitability of such projects. This approach not only aligns with the concept of green development but also plays a very positive role in promoting energy conservation and emission reduction as well as in protecting the ecological environment.