【Ten Years of Rapid Development in Chemical Equipment】Evaluation of the achievements in domestic production of 400,000 tons/year styrene off-gas compression units from 2017 to 2023
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Ten years of rapid development in chemical technology – praise for China’s prosperity and strength. This is just a starting point; more participation from everyone will make things even more lively. HaiChuan becomes even better with your involvement; we welcome everyone to take part more actively in the forum discussions. Be careful with fire risks as the heat increases in July. ---------------------------------------------- In July 2023, the Materials and Equipment Department of Sinopec organized experts to evaluate the achievements related to the localization of 400,000 tons per year capacity styrene exhaust gas compression units. These units represent the first of their kind in China, as well as those with the highest single-unit production capacity; the degree of localization of the compressor components reached 100%. The expert group unanimously agreed that the overall technology of this research achievement has reached an internationally advanced level, and recommended its widespread application. This project was developed jointly by Sinopec Maoming Branch, Shanghai Engineering Company, and the 711th Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation. Addressing the challenges associated with the high flow rate, high pressure ratio, high exhaust temperature, flammability, explosiveness, and tendency of the medium to polymerize in Maoming Branch’s 400,000 tons per year styrene exhaust gas compression units, efforts were made to develop domestic solutions; difficulties such as those related to rotor design and sealing mechanisms were overcome, resulting in a complete set of technologies for the design and manufacture of large-scale styrene exhaust gas screw compression units. The styrene exhaust screw compressor unit developed has been in operation smoothly for one year now in Maoming Branch’s 400,000 tons/year crude pyrolysis gas-to-ethylbenzene/styrene plant. It exhibits excellent performance and meets the requirements of the production process. It has broken the technical monopoly held by foreign companies in the field of exhaust compressor units for large-scale styrene plants, filling a gap in China’s industry; it has brought significant economic and social benefits.
On May 25, 2021, the Localization Office of Sinopec organized experts in Shanghai to hold a delivery acceptance meeting for the screw compressors used in the 400,000 tons per year styrene production facility. The large-scale high-temperature styrene exhaust gas compressor project, undertaken by CSIC Institute 711, successfully passed its delivery acceptance.
Background: As a key equipment in large-scale styrene plants, the exhaust screw compressor has long been a factor that has constrained the development of domestic technology for complete styrene production systems. The Office for the Localization of Major Equipment at Sinopec, in collaboration with Sinopec Shanghai Engineering Company, Sinopec Maoming Branch, and Institute 711, carried out the localization of large-scale high-temperature screw compressor units for styrene exhaust gas, utilizing Sinopec Maoming’s 400,000 tons per year crude pyrolysis gas-based ethylbenzene/styrene production project. Verification: After over a year of efforts, the project team completed the development of the unit. During this acceptance process, the experts witnessed on-site the temperature rise test and mechanical operation test of the screw compressor, and all parameters met the requirements for factory acceptance. Subsequently, the experts also heard reports on the key technical challenges related to this project, its implementation, manufacturing supervision, and testing, and unanimously agreed to approve it for release from the factory. The successful development of this unit will fill a gap in the domestic market, break the monopoly of imported products, and is of great significance for reducing the energy consumption level of domestically produced process packages.
Background: As a key equipment in large-scale styrene plants, the exhaust screw compressor has long been a factor that has constrained the development of domestic technology for complete styrene production systems. The Office for the Localization of Major Equipment at Sinopec, in collaboration with Sinopec Shanghai Engineering Company, Sinopec Maoming Branch, and Institute 711, carried out the localization of large-scale high-temperature screw compressor units for styrene exhaust gas, utilizing Sinopec Maoming’s 400,000 tons per year crude pyrolysis gas-based ethylbenzene/styrene production project. Verification: After over a year of efforts, the project team completed the development of the unit. During this acceptance process, the experts witnessed on-site the temperature rise test and mechanical operation test of the screw compressor, and all parameters met the requirements for factory acceptance. Subsequently, the experts also heard reports on the key technical challenges related to this project, its implementation, manufacturing supervision, and testing, and unanimously agreed to approve it for release from the factory. The successful development of this unit will fill a gap in the domestic market, break the monopoly of imported products, and is of great significance for reducing the energy consumption level of domestically produced process packages.