DMTO at the Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences: How coal-based olefin production technology is moving toward industrialization

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This post was last edited by jordan569 on 2013-1-6 at 20:16. Source: Science Times (Headline, 2011-3-9, A1 page) http://news.sciencenet.cn/upload/news/images/2011/3/201138224427050.jpg On October 26, 2010, the permit for an industrial demonstration project related to the “new generation of technology for producing low-carbon olefins from methanol (DMTO-Ⅱ)” was issued in Beijing for the first time. Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group, Sinopec Luoyang Petrochemical Engineering Company, and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (the technology licensors) officially signed a contract with Shaanxi Pucheng Clean Energy Chemical Co., Ltd. (the licensee). Shaanxi Pucheng Clean Energy Chemical Co., Ltd. bears a heavy responsibility; projects for the production of 1.8 million tons of methanol per year from coal, 670,000 tons of olefins per year from methanol, as well as related facilities, will be put into operation. This is the world’s first licensing agreement for the DMTO-Ⅱ industrialization technology, marking another key step forward on the path to industrialization for this next-generation methanol-to-olefins technology, which possesses independent intellectual property rights in China and is among the best in the world. On January 1, 2011, in Baotou City, Inner Mongolia, Shenhua’s 600,000-ton coal-to-olefins industrial demonstration project also began its commercial operations. The DMTO and DMTO-Ⅱ technologies, developed by institutions such as the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and for which China holds independent intellectual property rights, have gone through a long history marked by both achievements and challenges, attracting widespread attention and interest. “The significant scientific achievement of \"Advancing the industrialization of coal-based olefin production technology\" was selected as one of China’s top 10 scientific and technological developments of 2010, following a vote by academicians from the two academies, on January 19, 2011. The pace of technological innovation never stops. \"For DMTO to ultimately succeed in international competition, it is like a marathon that tests endurance to the fullest.\" ”Liu Zhongmin, deputy director and researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, once told our newspaper: \"Since the early 1980s, recognizing the international trends in development as well as the needs for future energy development in China, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics established a research group focused on the production of low-carbon olefins from methanol. The efforts of several generations of researchers to innovate have never ceased.\" ” As such, it has been exactly 30 years since China’s development of low-carbon olefins from methanol moved toward industrialization, enabling the country to become a leader in this field worldwide. In the mid-20th century, the two global oil crises prompted entrepreneurs to work together with scientists to find new ways to utilize non-oil resources, and this situation greatly accelerated the development of coal chemistry and natural gas chemistry. The Methanol to Olefins process (MTO) is a new attempt to produce chemical products from coal or natural gas. Taking the situation into consideration, senior leaders of the Chinese Academy of Sciences convened a conference on carbon chemistry in Taiyuan in 1981, explicitly assigning the task of researching the production of low-carbon olefins from methanol to the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, and designating it as a key project for the Chinese Academy of Sciences. According to Li Wenzhao, who once served as the deputy director of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, as recalled in an interview with our newspaper, under the leadership and support of Lin Liwu, who was then the head of the research laboratory, a research team was formed with Chen Guoquan and Liang Juan as its leader and deputy leader respectively, to study the production of low-carbon olefins from methanol. After several years of effort, they were the first in China to synthesize ZSM-5 zeolite molecular sieves, and conducted systematic research on the rules governing their synthesis, the modification of their reaction properties, as well as their characterization. This represented a promising first step toward achieving China’s strategic goal of replacing oil with coal. “**”During that period, the former Science and Technology Department of the **Planning Commission and the Chinese Academy of Sciences decided to establish a pilot plant for the production of low-carbon olefins from methanol at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. Under the leadership of Li Wenzhao, who was the then deputy director of the institute, a pilot project team was formed, with Wang Gongwei as the team leader and Cai Guangyu and Ying Muliang as deputy team leaders. By the end of 1989, the scale-up synthesis of zeolite on a scale of 3 tons per year, as well as the scale-up equipment for cracking catalysts on a scale of 4–5 tons per year, were completed. Additionally, an MTO fixed-bed reaction system capable of processing 1 ton of methanol per day along with all related peripheral equipment were also developed. On this basis, pilot-scale operation was completed in April 1991. Entering the 1990s, Liu Zhongmin, a new generation of academic leader, led his research team to conduct more in-depth fundamental and applied research on the production of low-carbon olefins from methanol, thereby expanding our understanding of the MTO process. On this basis, a complete set of patents and technologies with independent intellectual property rights was developed. In 1995, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics completed the pilot-scale operation of the fluidized-bed MTO process. The catalysts and fluidized-reaction technology developed for this process, which are suitable for two-stage reactions, were deemed by experts to be at an internationally advanced level. In 1996, this achievement won the Special Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the “Eighth Five-Year Plan” Major Scientific and Technological Achievement Award awarded jointly by the former **Planning Commission, **Science and Technology Commission, and the Ministry of Finance. “That year we applied for the first prize from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, but we were awarded the special prize instead; this is not common in previous science and technology award ceremonies, which shows the high level of recognition the judges had for our achievements. I was responsible for the development of olefin catalysts, ranking second among the awardees. ”Liu Zhongmin said sincerely to a reporter from Science Times, “I am extremely grateful to the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics for providing me with such a great platform. I was quite young at that time; I became the deputy head of a research team at the age of 27, head of the team at 31, and received an award at 32.” ” After completing his doctorate at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics in 1990, Liu Zhongmin stayed to work there. Starting in 1991, he became the leader of the project focused on catalysts for the production of olefins from dimethyl ether. He had several opportunities to go abroad for further study and work, but Liu Zhongmin thought that the project he was working on was a crucial one; if he could succeed in it, that would be more meaningful and fulfilling than going abroad. “In the summer of 1995, I was still conducting experiments in Qingpu, Shanghai, when a colleague called to tell me that the institute had decided to make me the head of the research team. Yang Bailing, who was the director of the institute at that time, possessed great courage for reform and an innovative mindset. It was he who persuaded a group of senior colleagues aged 58 to step down from their positions as team leaders, thereby giving us younger people the opportunity to take on responsibilities sooner and to showcase our research talents and ambitions. ”Liu Zhongmin opened the gates to his memories. Only by effectively integrating various innovative elements of society can we enhance our country’s capacity for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into large-scale industrial applications. In implementing the **Knowledge Innovation Project**, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has gradually developed an understanding of the technology innovation chain. After completing the research tasks during the Eighth Five-Year Plan period, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences informed the relevant industrial sectors of the pilot-scale test results for MTO and carried out technical exchanges. Some experts with long-term experience in catalytic cracking processes and plant design believe that although the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, carried out research and development on molecular sieves for use in MTO processes and registered 24 patent technologies at home and abroad at that time, with the key technical parameters of its test results being slightly better than those of foreign counterparts, there are significant risks associated with directly scaling up the pilot-scale technology to build industrial-scale plants; hence, they emphasized the need for intermediate-scale industrial trials. As a result, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics stepped up its contacts with relevant enterprises to prepare for industrial trials. “The industrialization of a scientific and technological achievement often involves a lengthy process, and the innovation and development of core technologies must also be an ongoing effort. ”Based on this understanding of the scientific development concept, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been working to promote the use of MTO technology while also actively exploring and developing new generations of catalysts. It has filed multiple invention patents in order to ensure that MTO technology remains at the forefront. This technology for converting methanol (or dimethyl ether) into low-carbon olefins, which relies on proprietary intellectual property, has been named DMTO technology by them. “From MTO to DMTO, firstly, from a chemical principles perspective, the same catalyst is used to convert methanol into dimethyl ether; our process design incorporates innovations, and DMTO integrates both methanol and dimethyl ether-related technologies. Secondly, for reasons related to business practices and intellectual property protection, we want to have our own distinct features; that’s why we came up with a code for this process. The ‘D’ in that code is an abbreviation for dimethyl ether, which we refer to as dimethyl ether or methanol-to-olefins ； ‘D’ also implies the meaning of ‘Dalian’. ”Liu Zhongmin explained the reasons behind it. Shaanxi secures control over these industrial trials. On April 28, 2004, Jia Zhibang, who was then the governor of Shaanxi Province, Chen Deming, the executive vice governor, along with representatives from various provincial commissions and departments, large state-owned enterprises in the province, and leaders from local cities and counties, gathered in Fugu County at the northern end of Shaanxi Province to discuss strategies for advancing the province through science and technology. At the meeting, Professor Li Yuqiang, economic advisor to Shaanxi Province, earnestly recommended to the provincial authorities that: \"The MTO pilot project at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is at the forefront of world science and technology. The project is still in the laboratory stage and requires industrial-scale testing; the estimated cost for such testing is six to seven hundred million yuan.\" If Shaanxi helps them complete the industrial tests, large-scale industrial production facilities can be built. With so much high-quality coal in northern Shaanxi that needs to be processed to increase its added value, MTO is currently the best solution. ” Experts explain that the main products of the MTO process are ethylene and propylene. It is a key technology that uses coal as raw material instead of oil (or natural gas) to produce chemical products such as ethylene and propylene, and it represents an important approach for realizing China’s strategy of replacing oil with coal. Based on the experimental results obtained from the current use of the MTO route for the production of low-carbon olefins, as well as the current status and trends in the scaling up of methanol production facilities, it can be concluded that MTO-based production of low-carbon olefins offers significant economic advantages over the existing petroleum-based methods. In the past, a foreign company also claimed to possess MTO technology, but without any industrial-scale testing, it demanded fees for using this technology that amounted to hundreds of millions of yuan. After carefully considering the opinions of the **economic advisor**, the leaders of **Shaanxi Province** made an immediate decision to have Shaanxi’s state-owned enterprises fund the industrial trials in collaboration with the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, with the aim of building large-scale industrial facilities in Shaanxi. The investment risks of the experiment are borne by Shaanxi. The task has been assigned to Shaanxi Investment Group Company. After contacting Professor Li Yuqiang, Yuan Zhizhong, the company’s deputy general manager, met with Professor Li Yuqiang in Xi’an on the first day of the May Day holiday in 2004. Through China’s petrochemical experts Wang Xianqing and Men Cungui, they got in touch with Liu Zhongmin, the leading scientist in MTO technology at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. On May 18, Yuan Zhizhong and several experts flew to Dalian, and began discussions with Liu Zhongmin and others that very night. Soon, a Letter of Intent for Cooperation was delivered to Governor Jia Zhibang’s desk. But Jia Zhibang said to the leaders of the Shaanxi Provincial Development and Reform Commission: “The Letter of Intent is not binding.” Let Yuan Zhizhong go again tomorrow. Be sure to sign the contract. ” When the second round of negotiations began, Yuan Zhizhong said right away, \"We know that MTO technology is the result of over 20 years of relentless research by several generations of scientists at Dahuaxian Institute. It not only holds great economic value but also is of significant importance for **strategic security.\" A starting fee of 3.5 million yuan for technology is not much. How about 3.6 million yuan? ”The 4 negotiators present at Dahuaxian were all stunned. Liu Zhongmin’s face turned red as he said, “We asked for less, but you gave us more. There’s no such thing as that in this world!” This is absolutely unacceptable! ”Yuan Zhizhong said, “How about adding another 200,000 yuan?” 3.8 million yuan! ”Liu Zhongmin said, “3.6 million is enough, really enough!” ”Yuan Zhizhong said, “Let’s not discuss this one.” 3.6 million yuan, with half paid immediately upon signing the contract. Start executing the contract, and pay another half then. ” Later, they became friends, and Liu Zhongmin revealed the “secret” to Yuan Zhizhong: “At that time, many companies were interested in collaborating with us.” We have discussed the specific terms of the contract with a large company. You are acting under the banner of the province, and with the introduction of the two veteran experts, Wang Xianqing and Men Cungui, we have no choice but to receive you. Who would have thought you were so clever, offering 100,000 yuan more than our quote. This fully demonstrates your recognition of us, as well as your sincerity and generosity. ” With the high level of attention from the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee and the provincial government, it took just over 3 months for this challenging and important project involving a test facility of the MTO type to go from initial negotiations to full implementation. The visionary leadership in making decisions, coupled with the rapid response of the implementing agencies, enabled the acquisition for Shaanxi of scientific research projects that are at the forefront of the world’s coal chemical industry. Seeking development by integrating with the social innovation value chain, for the construction and operation of the DMTO project, Shaanxi Investment Group assigned its most capable personnel and, in collaboration with Shaanxi Coal Industry Group Company and Chia Tai Coal Chemical Company, jointly established Shaanxi Xinxing Coal Chemical Technology Development Co., Ltd. On August 2, 2004, the joint development of industrial DMTO technology by Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Shaanxi Xinxing Coal Chemical Industry Company, and Luoyang Petrochemical Engineering Company was officially launched. Based on the pilot-scale research results of DMTO technology at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, and leveraging the first-class engineering expertise of Luoyang Petrochemical Engineering Company, an industrial test facility capable of processing 16,700 tons of methanol per year will be constructed ； All investment and the management of the construction and operation of the testing facilities are the responsibility of Shaanxi Xinxing Coal Chemical Company. To achieve great things in response to **strategic needs, the Chinese Academy of Sciences must focus on integrating social resources and strengthening close ties with social innovation entities. Liu Zhongmin explained, “At the beginning of the industrialization trials, we invited Luoyang Petrochemical Engineering Company to participate in the engineering design right away, in the hope of maintaining good communication with those involved in the design, so as to ensure a seamless transition toward industrialization in the future.” In collaboration with engineering design firms, by packaging the relevant technologies, it is possible to transform technologies that were previously only at the laboratory and pilot-scale stages into a relatively complete set of technological achievements that are easier for enterprises to adopt. The Chinese Academy of Sciences should pursue development by integrating with the social innovation value chain, while focusing on aspects that are fundamental, strategic, and forward-looking. ” When the Chinese Academy of Sciences undertakes projects related to engineering and industrialization, it must have a clear strategic vision; it certainly cannot try to handle everything on its own ； If one tries to take on everything alone, it is not possible to achieve a synergy of the wisdom and efforts of various team members; as a result, the contributions of each individual are diluted, and it becomes impossible to develop original scientific innovations. In an interview with our newspaper, Li Wenzhao commented as follows: Our cooperation with Luoyang Petrochemical Engineering Company dates back a long time – 60 years to be precise. One of the key reasons why we were able to avoid unnecessary detours in developing DMTO technology is the close relationship we have with Luoyang Petrochemical Engineering Company. A great man needs the support of many others to achieve great things; an important factor in the success of DMTO’s industrialization is the selection of reliable partners who are willing to work together in a spirit of cooperation. “Bringing the DMTO technology from the laboratory to the construction site is, in essence, a form of venture capital investment – a bold attempt to transform technological achievements into practical productivity. We admire the courage of these emerging companies. ”The colleagues from the Science and Technology Department of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics said sincerely. Previously, there were no precedents of similar projects being constructed and put into operational trial at the international level to serve as a reference, so the high requirements for the DMTO test facility are self-evident. To ensure the successful completion of the task, the board of directors of Xinxing Company sought expert advice and, after a comprehensive analysis of various factors, concluded that the Guanzhong region was more suitable for conducting the experiments. They therefore made the decisive decision to move the testing site from Yulin to Huaxian. This move was approved by all parties involved in the cooperation. “Huaxian is close to the central city of Xi’an, has a favorable climate and convenient transportation, making it easy to procure equipment and arrange visits by experts. By utilizing the existing processes and facilities at the Shaanxi Fertilizer Factory, investment can be saved. In contrast, construction in Yulin cannot proceed after November, as work comes to a halt for 5 months during winter; moreover, if any of the small pipes used for testing freeze and crack, it is difficult to detect such issues. During the expert review meeting, everyone agreed unanimously to locate it near the central city. ”Yuan Zhizhong, former chairman of Xinxing Company, explained. The testing site was moved from Yulin to Huaxian. Li Yuqiang, a provincial advisor, also wrote a letter to Governor Chen Deming, suggesting that since it was a scientific experiment, science should be respected. Governor Chen Deming gladly stated that he would respect the decisions of enterprises and the opinions of scientists, **without interfering. The construction of the experimental project, with an investment of 86.1 million yuan, has been launched. After thorough analysis, the three cooperating parties developed the \"Comprehensive Control Plan for the Construction of the DMTO Industrial Pilot Plant,\" identifying the key control points for the construction schedule. It is gratifying that for the construction of this world-class DMTO industrial test facility, all equipment and materials are domestically produced; in the future, large-scale industrial production facilities can also be fully made in China. The device testing took place during the bitter coldest days of winter. A group of researchers from Dahuahua Research Institute, including Liu Zhongmin, Lü Zhihui, and Wang Gongwei, as well as engineers from Luoyang Design Company, came to the testing site from Dalian and Luoyang. Together with the entire team from Xinxing Company led by Yuan Zhizhong and Min Xiaojian, and the technical experts assigned from Shaanxi Fertilizer Factory, the otherwise quiet local fertilizer factory guesthouse became extremely busy. Some of the engineering designers stayed there for over 8 months. “The guesthouse has over 100 beds, but it’s usually not very busy; when we go there, the beds run short. And the operators who have undergone our rotational training over more than half a year have also become a scarce human resource here. ” From the back window of his lodging at the guesthouse, Liu Zhongmin could see the test site, which was about 500 meters away in a straight line; under normal conditions he could see the torch installed on that device. He would look out of the window every night. “Our device is located at the foot of the mountain, and there are mining activities in the mountains – explosions are often used to break through the rock. I’m always on edge, not knowing when an explosion might occur; I wonder if it’s them blasting or if something has gone wrong with our device. Often, I have to get up quickly from bed in the middle of the night to check whether our torch is still lit.” ” Attention must also be paid to ensuring that the device does not cause environmental problems, as it is after all just an industrial test with unstable reactions and low efficiency; as a result, some pollutants may end up in the water. Although the design takes into account the use of the factory’s existing water treatment systems for processing, during the trial operation period the water output from the device was not normal for some time, so it was necessary to use large tank trucks to collect the water and transport it to the fertilizer factory for treatment. “Environmental protection is closely linked to the lives of local farmers, and it must be given high priority. Fortunately, we held ourselves to high standards, and not a single accident occurred throughout the entire testing period. ” This is a day that the partners in this tripartite collaboration will always remember: operations began on February 20, 2006, with the successful completion of all safety-related tests, achieving the goal of a successful trial run from the very first attempt. From June 17 to 20, 2006, an expert group organized by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association at the request of the National Development and Reform Commission conducted an on-site assessment of the DMTO development project. The expert group believes that this industrial test facility represents an innovative technology with independent intellectual property rights. It operates stably, safely, and reliably, and its technical specifications are advanced. It is the only industrial test facility in the world capable of producing low-carbon olefins from methanol on a scale of 10,000 tons; both its scale and technical specifications are at the world’s leading level. Through this industrial trial in Huaxian, Shaanxi, the development of DMTO industrialization technology with independent intellectual property rights in China has laid a solid technical foundation for building industrial facilities that produce low-carbon olefins using coal as raw material. The million-ton-scale DMTO plant has the Five-Star Red Flag flying over it. Approved by the National Development and Reform Commission in December 2006, the world’s first coal-based olefins plant, as well as a model project for modern coal chemical manufacturing, has finally been established at the Shenhua Group in Baotou City, Inner Mongolia. The project commenced in March 2007, with a total investment of 16.5 billion yuan. It consumes 3.45 million tons of raw coal and 1.28 million tons of fuel coal per year. On September 17, 2007, representatives of the three partners who had been working together in the past – Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Xinxing New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., and Sinopec Luoyang Petrochemical Engineering Company – shook hands with representatives of China Shenhua Group in Beijing to sign a technology licensing agreement for DMTO capacity of 1.8 million tons (resulting in an annual output of 600,000 tons of olefins). This marked a crucial step forward for DMTO technology, moving it from previous industrial trials on a ten-thousand-ton scale to industrial production on a million-ton scale in the future. In the PPT that Liu Zhongmin showed to our newspaper’s reporters, there was a very clear diagram – one related to the \"Shenhua Baotou 600,000 tons per year coal-to-olefins project.\" For each technical stage in this diagram, there was an icon representing the country that possesses that technology. Among them, the icon of China’s Five-Star Red Flag was prominently displayed at the stage corresponding to the process from methanol to olefins. This is precisely what Liu Zhongmin referred to as the \"critical link\" in the industrial technology for converting coal into olefins; it is something that both he and the Chinese people are proud of – as it involves entirely proprietary Chinese intellectual property. Liu Zhongmin told reporters: As a provider of technology licenses, we are inevitably subject to questions and inquiries from users. Shenhua Group was the first user of DMTO technology licensing, and it made very thorough preparations for this. The industrial layout they choose involves the use of some of the best technologies available in the world. Our DMTO process sits at a critical link in this chain, and if the technology used there is slightly inferior, they might reject it. Fortunately, our technical indicators are very satisfactory, which gives us enough confidence to speak. The 600,000-ton-per-year coal-to-olefins project in Baotou has attracted considerable attention and received high priority from the Chinese government. In 2009, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology took the lead, and 15 other ministries and agencies including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Land and Resources, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection jointly established a coordination and guidance team to ensure the smooth implementation of this project. In August 2010, the DMTO plant project underwent a trial run in Baotou and was successful on the first attempt, reaching 90% of its designed capacity on that very day ； On August 12, the separation of ethylene and propylene from olefins was successful: the purity of ethylene was 99.95%, while that of propylene was 99.99% ； On August 15, qualified polypropylene products were produced ； Qualified polyethylene products were produced on August 21. The start-up proceeded very smoothly; the DMTO unit operated steadily, with a methanol conversion rate of 100.00% and an ethylene + propylene selectivity of over 80%. The reaction results exceeded the expected targets. To date, the 600,000 tons per year coal-to-olefins plant in Baotou has been operating well with stable performance; both the methanol conversion rate and olefin selectivity have met or exceeded the design specifications. This indicates that China’s coal-to-olefins technology, which possesses independent intellectual property rights, has achieved **significant success in terms of industrialization and commercialization. Thus, through the sustained efforts of several generations of scientists and engineers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, a technologically original approach developed in China, enabling the solution to the challenge of producing low-carbon olefins from methanol and thus completing the final crucial link in the coal chemical industry chain. Zhang Guobao, former head of the **Energy Bureau, expressed his approval of the petrochemical alternative route for the Baotou coal-to-olefins demonstration project and provided considerable support in its implementation. He believed that coal-to-olefins represented a significant shift in the raw material sources used in the petrochemical industry, and he repeatedly emphasized that \"technological substitution has a revolutionary impact on an industry.\" However, Zhang Guobao also pointed out incisively that although coal-based olefins possess certain economic competitiveness compared to traditional olefin production via naphtha cracking, domestic companies in this sector still need to be prepared for potential challenges. In the past, companies that produced color televisions using cathode-ray tubes and optical cameras never imagined that they would one day be replaced. By the time such a day arrived, it was probably too late to think of ways to avoid being replaced. By the same logic, although coal-based olefins may represent a promising industry, companies must always stay at the forefront of technological innovation in order to avoid facing replacement. ” Maintaining an international lead through superior technology: Our first-generation DMTO technology achieves an olefin yield of 3 to 1, which means that 3 tons of methanol can be used to produce 1 ton of olefins. Theoretically, this conversion ratio can be further improved through technological innovation, thereby generating greater economic benefits. ”Liu Zhongmin explained to the reporters. While working on the industrialization of DMTO technology, the research team led by Liu Zhongmin made relentless efforts to develop a new improved version of this technology, DMTO-II. He said, “Our next goal is to reduce the amount of olefins required per ton of methanol from 3 tons to 2.6 tons, 2.7 tons, or even less.” ” In May 2010, the next-generation methanol-to-olefins technology (DMTO-II) was developed successfully. An industrial pilot plant with a capacity of 50 tons of methanol per day was set up in Huaxian, Shaanxi, which further improved the economic efficiency of the methanol-to-olefins process. This advancement gave China’s DMTO technology a competitive edge, enabling it to maintain a leading position on the international stage. There is a company in the United States that boasts the advantages of large-scale industrial operations and integrated technologies; it is also the only multinational company abroad that claims to be able to license its MTO technology to other countries. Before 2004, its research and development efforts were largely on par with those of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and it tried continuously to persuade China’s petrochemical industry users to adopt its technology, which had a capacity of 0.75 tons per day, and to scale it up on an industrial scale by many orders of magnitude. However, after the completion of the DMTO industrial trials at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, this company’s dominant position in the international market was completely altered. After 2008, although this foreign company decided to establish an industrial test plant and invested 45 million euros in doing so, it is still conducting unsuccessful tests to this day. Some authoritative experts in the industry say that if this foreign company conducts industrial trials earlier than Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, which was the world’s first facility to implement MTO on an industrial scale, then it is inevitable that the imported technology will play a decisive role; as a result, the global utilization of methanol to produce olefins and other forms of energy will be influenced by this technology. On August 25, 2010, the China International Coal Chemical Industry Development Forum was held in Beijing. At this authoritative international engineering conference, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences once again faced off against that foreign company; the successful operation of the industrial facility operated by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, along with its newly developed DMTO-II technology, gave it a clear advantage. On June 26, 2010, the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation took the lead in organizing and hosting a review meeting on the achievements of the \"next-generation methanol-to-low-carbon olefins (DMTO-Ⅱ) technology\" in Beijing. The appraisal committee, composed of 12 experts and professors including Xie Kechang and Wang Xieqing, who are members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, gave high praise to the DMTO-II technology. At the same time, the evaluation experts believe that the DMTO-II pilot plant has obtained basic data for large-scale commercial design, laying the foundation for the construction of a large-scale industrial DMTO-II production facility, and it holds good prospects for application. It is recommended to accelerate the industrial application and promotion of this technology based on experimental setups. Liu Zhongmin answered the reporter’s questions: The DMTO-II technology being implemented in Pucheng, Shaanxi – which involves an annual production capacity of 1.8 million tons of methanol from coal, 670,000 tons of olefins from methanol, along with related projects – was developed on the basis of the DMTO technology. Compared to DMTO, DMTO-II enables more efficient use of heat, results in a higher yield of olefins, and reduces the amount of methanol required per ton of olefins by over 10%, thereby significantly lowering the raw material costs associated with olefin production. “When a car’s engine displacement increases from 1.6L to 2.5L, it is mainly because a more powerful engine is installed. To address the issue of greater engine power, it is not necessary to replace everything such as the car’s steering wheel and wipers with new ones. Doing so is not only unnecessary but also wastes time and money; instead, it is sufficient to replace just one key component with a new one, while keeping most of the existing parts in use. ”Liu Zhongmin used such a vivid metaphor to describe the transformation from DMTO to DMTO-II. In June 2008, with the approval of the **National Development and Reform Commission**, and by leveraging the expertise of Liu Zhongmin’s team at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, work began on establishing an engineering laboratory for methanol-to-olefins production. This laboratory is dedicated to the technical development and industrialization of such processes, providing technical support for the construction and operation of large-scale industrial facilities. Liu Zhongmin told our newspaper’s reporter that the Methanol to Olefins **Engineering Laboratory is focused on the future of low-carbon energy development. It will continue to pool its strengths to break through key technical barriers, ensuring a steady flow of innovation and helping to maintain China’s leading position in the world of coal-based olefins technology. Recently, the Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Implementation of the 11th Five-Year Plan’s science and technology initiatives was presented, and Liu Zhongmin received this honor. “The sincere joy of \"thriving leaves\" alongside \"deep roots\" has seen the team of experts at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, who are focused on producing low-carbon olefins from methanol, continue to grow and develop through the support of various scientific and technological projects. Liu Zhongmin said, “There are some ‘top talents’ in our team, and some of them have very strange personalities. But which researcher doesn’t have a personality of their own?” As long as you actively participate in the project, you will inevitably develop a spirit of cooperation. ” Lv Zhihui used to be the head of a research laboratory at a research and design institute in an industrial sector; his salary was more than twice that of what he earned at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. Before coming to this institute to pursue an on-the-job doctorate, he didn’t know much about DMTO technology. However, having a solid foundation in chemistry, he saw potential in the DMTO project and decided to stay at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. After several years of hard work, he became a nationally renowned expert in coal chemical engineering. “Lü Zhihui was once the third-party contact person for the project in Huaxian and the on-site supervisor; all our instructions were delivered through him, which established his authority. He is currently the general manager of Emerging Energy Co., Ltd., and his main task and responsibility is to promote DMTO technology on a global scale. ”Liu Zhongmin explained. Several years ago, Lu Zhihui was promoted to a professor-level senior engineer at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. \"This is what the Chinese Academy of Sciences often refers to as retaining people through their careers and through emotional bonds!\" ”Lü Zhihui said with deep understanding. In 2000, after graduating from Southeast University, Ye Mao went abroad, first working as a postdoctoral researcher at a university in the Netherlands, and later at Shell Oil in Amsterdam. “At the end of 2008, I saw a recruitment advertisement from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, so I sent an email to Deputy Director Liu Zhongmin. He replied to me shortly, expressing his enthusiasm for me to work at the institute. I am currently working with fluidized bed reactors, and MTO also requires fluidized bed reactors; our expertise is completely aligned. MTO represents a new direction for development and is in a period of rapid growth; **a great deal of support has been provided. I have spent many years working on petrochemical engineering projects abroad, and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics is in urgent need of such engineering professionals. If I return, I am sure I will be able to make a contribution. ”Ye Mao said frankly in an interview with our newspaper’s reporter. In June 2009, Ye Mao became part of the “Hundred Talents Program” and joined the team led by Liu Zhongmin, serving as the head of the group responsible for research on the scaling up and development of catalytic processes. “My first task after returning to China was to conduct experiments on the second-generation DMTO in Shaanxi.” What I have gained from working for over a year now is a clear understanding of the DMTO process ； The integration of DMTO’s technology, design philosophy, and plant operation is excellent; even large foreign companies find it difficult to achieve such a level. I greatly admire Deputy Director Liu Zhongmin’s full dedication to DMTO and his selfless work ethic ； The people in the research lab are very united, and their team spirit really touches me. ”Ye Mao’s research team currently has 7 members, and he is truly delighted by the deep roots of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. “To accomplish any major task, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics needs a team that can work together in synergy. We have found that previous management mechanisms have struggled to attract and retain talent on a fundamental level; how can researchers establish a foothold within the evaluation system? It's a question we have been thinking about all along. Starting in 2008, we explored organizational forms for groups, turning some larger research teams into a single research laboratory. Taking DMTO as an example, the area below the room is divided into 7 groups, and an assessment system for these groups is established. The groups that have been formed now are not organized according to traditional academic disciplines; rather, they are established at different stages along the development of scientific and technological projects, providing people with better opportunities to utilize their skills. ”Wang Hua, assistant to the director of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics and head of the Science and Technology Department, explained to our reporter. According to the research organization structure of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, responsibilities such as personnel allocation, research directions, grant applications, and laboratory equipment are not under the responsibility of the team leader. Such an outcome indirectly saves the team leader a significant amount of time. Two years of practice have shown that organizing work in team groups enables better utilization of the advantages of collaborative teamwork; this is a distinctive approach adopted by the research institute for fostering technological innovation, and it is more suitable for achieving results in applied research than the PI (Principal Investigator) system. To strengthen the team focused on the production of low-carbon olefins from methanol, on June 12, 2009, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics established the Department of Low-Carbon Catalysis and Engineering as a new research unit. Liu Zhongmin served as the head of this department, which comprised 7 research groups and 1 office. During the establishment and development of the research laboratory, three institute-level recipients of the \"Hundred Talents Program\"—Zhu Wenliang, Chen Shuguang, and An Lihua—along with other engineering researchers specializing in DMTO, have been recruited. “The achievements of our DMTO need to be firmly rooted in fertile soil. In addition to the joint efforts of previous generations of researchers, it is also closely tied to the proper leadership of the current institute leadership; only by fostering a positive research culture can we lead our team to progress swiftly. ”said Tian Peng, head of the Molecular Sieve Synthesis Research Group. “One of the most important factors is the team and talent. Experts from all fields come together, and it is essential to create a unified whole characterized by unity and harmonious cooperation; we must strive to foster such an atmosphere. ”Liu Zhongmin told our reporter, “Of course, we also need to learn to grasp the broader trends and directions. When it’s time to work hard in the laboratory, we must focus entirely on that task; when it’s time to go out and promote our technology, we need to be aware of the current situation. Otherwise, strategic opportunities can slip away in an instant.” ” Shenhua’s successful application is undoubtedly a living advertisement. To date, DMTO technology with complete independent intellectual property rights in China has seen 10 technical licensing agreements for such plants signed; in other words, the total scale of licensing for this domestically developed DMTO technology exceeds 5 million tons per year in terms of olefins produced, accounting for 20% of China’s total olefin production! Even so, companies continue to come in large numbers to discuss cooperation on DMTO. Liu Zhongmin explained that especially after Shenhua took the lead in adopting the DMTO technology, some companies came to us to discuss cooperation without even conducting any preliminary investigations; they went straight to discussing contracts. Shenhua’s successful use of this technology is undoubtedly a powerful form of advertising. In different historical periods regarding the transfer and transformation of technological achievements, different market operation models and mechanisms must be adopted. Lu Zhihui explained the partnership among the three strategic partners following the DMTO industrial trial: Shaanxi Investment Group Company has withdrawn from Shaanxi Xinxing Coal Chemical Company, with Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group acquiring all of its shares; that is, 51% × 37.5% = 19.125% = 96 million yuan ； At the same time, Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group, Chia Tai Coal Chemical Company, and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences carried out a share restructuring of the company. On November 25, 2008, with the approval of the **State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the restructured company was renamed Xinxing New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the professional sales of DMTO technology as well as providing technical services related to DMTO. Following the industrial trials of DMTO, cooperation between research institutions and enterprises also benefited from each other. Relying on the **engineering laboratory for methanol-to-olefins** established by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, it was jointly developed with an investment of 30 million yuan from Shaanxi Coal Industry Group ； The Shaanxi Coal Chemical Technology and Engineering Center, established by Shaanxi Coal Industry Group, was recognized by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2009. The Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics also contributed 57.27 million yuan by assigning ownership of its patents related to methanol-to-olefins technology; this contribution accounted for 45% of the center’s registered capital. In terms of technical support that may be provided in the future, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics will play a crucial role... Drawing on the new model for the development of DMTO from basic research to practical application, Liu Zhongmin shared his personal insights: The transfer and application of technologies developed by research institutions must be combined with optimized resources available in society, in order to find cooperation models that can complement each other’s strengths and leverage the advantages of all parties involved. The Chinese Academy of Sciences must play a ‘leading’ role as the engine of science and technology in our country. For those major engineering and industrialization projects, although external funding is crucial, it is the ability of scientific and technical personnel to position themselves appropriately, to think freely, and to understand the true essence of strategic cooperation that constitutes the prerequisite for success in carrying out such projects. From catalysts to process routes, DMTO has filed over 60 invention patents in total, establishing a complete set of independent intellectual property rights. The success of its industrial application is clearly also attributed to the continuous innovation capabilities of the technology providers, as well as thorough preliminary preparations ； When the time is right, it will enable everyone to work together to advance things quickly. It has been fully proven that energy strategy research must have a forward-looking perspective. The reason why DMTO was able to complete industrial trials in Shaanxi within two years, and the fact that the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences was able to step up at critical moments, proves that it is indeed a scientific and technological team capable of taking on tough challenges. Yang Bailing, who once served as the director of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics and vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has for many years been focused on technology transfer and transformation in China. Yang Bailing shared his thoughts on innovative cases in DMTO with our newspaper’s reporter: The development path of DMTO has not always been smooth; for many years it struggled to receive the necessary support. If researchers lose even a little bit of determination and faith, all their efforts could be wasted. Therefore, for those major scientific and technological innovation projects, in addition to researchers needing to remain determined and persistent with unwavering resolve, leadership at all levels as well as the scientific research authorities must also possess strategic vision. Today, the international price of crude oil has risen to $100 per barrel, and the success of China’s use of methanol to produce low-carbon olefins, along with the related technical capabilities, underscores its practical and historical significance. The innovative efforts carried out over the years by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in the field of DMTO also provide endless areas for reflection for those who are exploring innovation. . Note $ # , $ $