The first unit of Sinopec’s third-generation domestic aromatic hydrocarbon technology – the 890,000-ton/year aromatic hydrocarbon complex at Jiujiang Petrochemical – was successfully commissioned for the first time

The aromatic compounds complex utilizes the third-generation aromatic technology developed by Sinopec, which features low investment costs, low energy consumption, and high efficiency in catalyst usage. This technology introduces a single-tower adsorption separation system for the first time, replacing the previous two-tower adsorption approach with a single-tower system. This results in a 10% increase in the efficiency of using the adsorbent, a reduction of investment costs by nearly 20%, and more stable operation. At the same time, through comprehensive energy integration optimizations such as full-process optimization of aromatic compounds processing units, integrated heat utilization, and efficient use of low-temperature heat, the energy consumption is reduced to less than 220 kg of standard oil per ton of PX, representing a 30% reduction in energy use compared to similar aromatic compounds processing units, thus reaching an internationally leading level.

The aromatic hydrocarbons technology package, centered on the production of p-xylene, is an indicator technology that represents the level of development in the petrochemical industry. The first and second generations of high-efficiency, environmentally friendly aromatic hydrocarbon production technologies were successfully put into operation at Sinopec Hainan Refining & Chemical Co., Ltd. in 2013 and 2019 respectively. To further strengthen its leadership in aromatic hydrocarbon technology, Sinopec’s R&D team for aromatic hydrocarbons has kept working tirelessly; within just two years, it developed a series of new technologies such as the single-tower aromatic hydrocarbon adsorption separation process and digital control systems for aromatic hydrocarbon plants, thereby creating a third-generation set of technologies in this field that are at the international leading level. The Jiujiang Petrochemical Aromatics Project is a key project in the industrial development strategy. As the first large-scale aromatics project in China’s central region, its completion and operation will play an important role in promoting the development of this region and fostering the growth of integrated refining and chemical industry chains. Construction of the aromatic compounds complex began on May 9, 2020; after 20 months of intensive work, it was completed to high standards on January 20, 2022, with qualified products being produced on the 8th of that month. Through years of development, Sinopec has developed more advanced core technologies in the petrochemical industry, with new breakthroughs achieved in key areas such as aromatics, organic raw materials, coal chemical processing, and synthetic materials. In December 2013, the 600,000-ton aromatic compounds complex at Hainan Refining & Chemical Co., built using independently developed high-efficiency and environmentally friendly aromatic compounds technology, was successfully put into operation, making China the third country after the United States and France to master this technology. The project \"Development and Application of High-Efficiency and Environmentally Friendly Aromatic Compounds Technology\" won the Special Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress in 2015 ； The industrial demonstration plant for producing propylene oxide via the hydrogen peroxide process (HPPO) has been successfully operated, making China the third country in the world to master HPPO technology** ； The world’s largest coal-to-olefins plant with an annual capacity of 3.6 million tons has been successfully put into operation, becoming the first supplier to master the entire MTO reaction and separation process ； The industrialization technology for 48K carbon fiber rovings was overcome, enabling the large-scale use of carbon fiber continuous sucker rods in the oil field sector for the first time in the world.

On January 20, **the key project in terms of industrial layout, the first industrial-scale installation utilizing Sinopec’s third-generation aromatic hydrocarbon technology – the 890,000-ton/year aromatic hydrocarbon production facility at Jiujiang Petrochemical – was successfully completed. The successful application of this technology signifies that our country is not only one of the three countries in the world to possess this technology, but also that its level of development is at the international forefront. This will lay the foundation for the development of industrial clusters in our city with a value of over 100 billion yuan. It is understood that this project utilizes Sinopec’s third-generation aromatic technology, which is protected by independent intellectual property rights, and offers advantages such as low investment costs, high efficiency in catalyst usage, and low energy consumption. For the first time, this technology employs a single-tower adsorption separation system, replacing the previous two-tower adsorption approach with one-tower adsorption. This improves the utilization rate of the adsorbent by 10%, reduces investment costs by nearly 20%, and also results in more stable operation. Furthermore, through comprehensive energy integration optimizations such as the optimization of the entire process in aromatic compound production facilities, integrated heat utilization, and efficient use of low-temperature heat, the energy consumption of these facilities is less than 220 kilograms of standard oil per ton of PX, representing a 30% reduction in energy consumption compared to similar aromatic compound production facilities – a level that is at the international forefront. Construction of this project began on May 9, 2020. Its goal is to create a project that is \"safe, green, innovative, efficient, transparent, and exemplary.\" Guided by Sinopec’s standards for the construction of standardized sites, the project defines the tasks and responsibilities for each stage. The implementation focuses on the \"nine unifications\" outlined in the plan for creating standardized sites, with an emphasis on standardizing all aspects of construction, including soil-free construction methods, modular installation, integrated lifting processes, as well as physical and sensory quality control. Faced with challenges such as a high number of high-risk tasks, numerous concurrent operations, and difficulties in safety supervision, the focus was placed on the element of \"people\" as the core. By adopting \"grid-based management at the site\", a \"1123\" work mechanism was innovatively implemented. Dual-layer protection methods such as \"physical barriers + protective nets\" and \"physical barriers + safety belts\" were used to ensure safety during construction at the site. Given the limited space at the construction site and the difficulties in transportation and lifting, construction methods such as on-site assembly, pressure testing, covering the structure on the ground, and overall lifting were employed to ensure high efficiency in the construction process. The project ensures comprehensive control over safety, quality, schedule, and cost, ultimately being delivered on time and to high standards.

Approval from the Jiangxi Provincial Development and Reform Commission regarding the energy-saving assessment of Sinopec Corporation’s Jiujiang Branch’s 890,000 tons per year aromatic compounds production project and related systems. To the Jiujiang Municipal Development and Reform Commission: We have received your request titled “Request for an Energy-Saving Assessment of Sinopec Corporation’s Jiujiang Branch’s 890,000 tons per year aromatic compounds production project and related systems” (Jiu Fa Gai Sheng Ti Zi [2020] No. 40). After review, the relevant decisions are as follows: 1. In principle, the energy conservation report for the proposed project is approved. II. Project location: Within the Jiujiang Petrochemical Branch plant. III. The annual increase in total comprehensive energy consumption for this project is 2.017/2.015 million tons of standard coal (equivalent value). The comprehensive energy consumption per ton of p-xylene is 250.79 kilograms of standard oil per ton, which is lower than the specified limits set in the \"Limits on Energy Consumption per Unit of P-Xylene\" (GB 31534-2015); specifically, the allowable value for newly built or upgraded p-xylene production facilities is no more than 530 kilograms of standard oil per ton, while the advanced target is no more than 500 kilograms of standard oil per ton. IV. On the basis of implementing the various measures outlined in the energy conservation report, the project owner should improve and strengthen the following aspects of energy conservation: (1) Selecting highly efficient energy-saving equipment. Heating furnaces, compressors, pumps, and other products and equipment that meet the **Level 1 energy efficiency standards** should be selected; energy efficiency metrics must be included as important technical specifications in the equipment bidding documents and purchase contracts. (II) Effectively strengthen energy conservation management. In accordance with the current \"Requirements for Energy Management Systems\" (GB/T 23331), \"Guidelines for Energy Management in Industrial Enterprises\" (GB/T 15587), etc., establish and improve an energy management system ； In accordance with current standards and regulations such as the \"General Rules for the Provision and Management of Energy Measurement Instruments in Energy-Using Entities\" (GB17167), energy measurement instruments must be installed strictly, and a three-level energy measurement management system should be established. V. The project developer shall, in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, standards, as well as planning and policy requirements, go through procedures such as project approval, environmental impact assessment, and safety assessment. The project design unit shall carry out the engineering design (preliminary design and construction drawings) based on these review opinions, and ensure that these requirements are implemented throughout the project construction process. After the project is completed, relevant energy-saving policies will be implemented in accordance with ** and provincial regulations. VI. Please conduct effective supervision and inspection of the project’s design, construction, completion acceptance, and operation management, based on these review comments and the ultimately revised energy-saving report for the project. Also, please report in a timely manner on the implementation of these review comments as well as any major matters related to the project. VII. In the event of significant changes in the energy-consuming processes, equipment, and types of energy used in the project, if the total energy consumption exceeds 10% or more of the threshold specified for energy efficiency review, or if there are major fundamental changes in the feasibility study report, the project owner shall conduct another energy efficiency review. VIII. Our commission will organize follow-up inspections at appropriate times to assess the implementation of the energy-saving review opinions for the projects. March 31, 2020