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Yan’an Energy Chemicals: Successful implementation of steam recovery technology upgrade Author/Source: Yan’an Energy Chemicals, Yanchang Petroleum Date: 2021-12-02 Clicks: 7 Since the launch of the group company’s “Three Comparisons and Three Improvements” initiative, Yan’an Energy Chemicals has focused on its actual development needs, considering cost reduction and efficiency improvement as key objectives within the framework of this initiative. It has taken proactive actions to explore new ways to save energy and reduce consumption. Among them, the project of \"recycling the vent steam from the synthesis drum\" was implemented with focus; it successfully sent 25 t/h of vent steam to the external low-pressure steam network, enabling the recycling of steam from the synthesis drum. This approach allows the company to save 200,000 tons of deionized water and high-pressure steam per year, resulting in cost savings of 3.2 million yuan. It is reported that since its commissioning, the natural gas conversion and synthesis unit has operated as expected overall, but it has also revealed certain issues. The saturator heaters and steam superheaters in the conversion section are unable to completely condense and recover the steam generated as a byproduct of the reactions in the synthesis tower. To prevent overpressure in the equipment, this steam must be vented on-site, which not only leads to waste of steam resources and an increase in operating costs but also poses safety risks associated with steam venting, thereby creating potential hazards for the safe operation of the unit. In response to this, the center attached great importance to it and established a task force. After conducting a comprehensive analysis of various aspects such as process operation and safe production, and taking into account the actual conditions of the plant’s steam network, it was ultimately decided to integrate the steam generated as a by-product in the synthesis drum into the plant’s low-pressure steam network. To ensure the smooth implementation of the project, the center’s process engineers and equipment engineers were involved throughout the process, keeping a close eye on the project’s progress. Despite various challenges such as pandemic control measures and the difficulties associated with construction, the project was successfully put into operation at the end of October. To date, it has been operating normally for over a month. “After installing the new steam recovery pipeline, the problem of steam being forced to be vented was effectively resolved, enabling the recycling of steam from the synthesis drum and thus reducing operating costs. It plays a positive role from the perspectives of energy conservation, comprehensive resource utilization, and safety. ”said Zhu Zhaodong, the head of the center.