[Ten years of major development in chemical technology] 006-2018 Sinopec’s 200,000 tons/year synthesis gas coal-to-ethylene glycol technology completed identification

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On November 28, 2018, Hubei Fertilizer’s 200,000 tons/year synthesis gas to ethylene glycol complete technology passed the appraisal of Sinopec. Hubei Fertilizer's 200,000 tons/year synthesis gas to ethylene glycol demonstration unit is one of Sinopec's ten-stop research projects and adopts a proprietary set of technologies independently developed by Sinopec. Hubei Fertilizer, as the leader unit of the research team, formed a research team with six units including Shanghai Petrochemical Research Institute and Shanghai Engineering Company to develop a process package for the synthesis gas to ethylene glycol device. ； Complete technology amplification and process optimization of each production unit ； Carry out system-wide energy optimization, device intrinsic safety, key analysis technology, three waste emission reduction, etc. After six years of continuous research, deficiencies and rectification, the device was able to operate at full capacity throughout the entire process and achieve production and efficiency in August this year. The appraisal expert group, including three academicians, highly affirmed the technology and believed that on the basis of pilot tests, this technology has completed catalyst optimization and expanded production, developed efficient and energy-saving reaction processes, established key technologies for product analysis, and formed a complete set of 200,000 tons/year synthesis gas to ethylene glycol technology. The process flow, control scheme and equipment selection of the demonstration unit are reasonable, the process is safe and reliable, the three wastes are discharged up to standard after treatment, and the technical indicators are better than the design values. The product has been used in polyester production on a large scale, and it is recommended to accelerate its promotion and application. In 2014, Sinopec Hubei Fertilizer announced its withdrawal from the urea market and completely transformed into a new coal chemical industry. The 200,000 tons/year synthesis gas to ethylene glycol industrial demonstration device is Hubei’s first attempt to transform fertilizer into a new coal chemical industry. ； In 2012, the company invested 1.987 billion yuan and launched a new ethylene glycol project with an annual output of 200,000 tons. ； Construction officially started in September 2012 ； On December 28, 2013, the 200,000 tons/year synthesis gas to ethylene glycol industrial demonstration device was completed and entered the trial operation stage. ； On March 9, 2014, the 200,000 tons/year synthesis gas to ethylene glycol industrial demonstration device produced qualified products and was successfully commissioned. After the project started in March 2014, relevant research units worked tirelessly to replace catalysts and adsorbents, add PSA-CO devices, design and construct them, and finally completed the side-line extraction of dimethyl oxalate in the T401 and T202 towers and the improvement of the feed process in the T605 tower. In July 2017, after the pressure swing adsorption unit was started up, the coupling reactor was put into operation, and the hydrogenation reactor was fed, the device produced high-quality ethylene glycol. On August 11, 2017, Hubei Fertilizer's 200,000 tons/year syngas-to-ethylene glycol unit achieved full capacity production, with dimethyl oxalate output reaching 54-55t/h and ethylene glycol output reaching 25-26t/h.