The Guoneng Baotou coal-to-olefins demonstration project is advancing at pace—set to achieve multiple \"firsts\" and be the largest of its kind”

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Multiple \"firsts\" and \"maxims\" to be achieved, according to Sinochem News. Recently, the Shenhua Baotou Coal-to-Olefins Upgrade Demonstration Project, operated by Guoneng Baotou Coal Chemical Co., Ltd. under the Energy Group, underwent its second public bidding round, and several EPC contracts were signed. According to officials from Guoneng Group, in addition to employing advanced processes and energy-saving and environmental protection technologies, this project will also achieve several \"firsts\" and be the largest of its kind in the industry. The Shenhua Baotou Coal-to-Olefins Upgrade Demonstration Project is a key demonstration project of the State Energy Group. It is an upgraded demonstration project carried out on the basis of the world’s first coal-to-olefins demonstration plant located in the Jiuyuan Industrial Park in Baotou City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The total investment in the project is 17.15 billion yuan. It utilizes a patented technology for coal gasification and simultaneous waste liquid treatment, developed jointly by Collin Energy and China Shenhua Coal-to-Oil Chemical Co., which allows a single furnace to process 2,000 tons of coal per day. Once completed, the facility will use a mixture of coal from Burtai Coal Mine, Cuncouta No. 2 Coal Mine, and Shangwan Coal Mine as raw material to produce 2 million tons of methanol and 750,000 tons of polyolefins per year. By being planned and constructed in conjunction with new energy projects, it will enable deep integration between coal chemical processing and green electricity, green hydrogen, and green oxygen. Through the upgrading and optimization of advanced domestic technologies, the project will enhance the production efficiency and environmental performance of coal-based olefins, as well as enable the efficient and clean utilization of raw coal. Completion is expected by August 30, 2026. Upon completion of the project, Guoneng Baotou’s methanol production capacity will increase to 3.8 million tons per year, while its polyolefin production capacity will rise to 1.35 million tons per year; a total of 7.8 million tons of coal will be converted annually. Among the EPC contracts signed this time, the EPC contract for the low-temperature methanol washing unit, undertaken by China Fifth Ring Engineering Co., Ltd., will, upon completion, become the largest single project in China in terms of the application of large-scale domestic integrated low-temperature methanol washing technology ； The circulating water plant, water supply pressure boosting station, and fire pump station, all constructed by China National Chemical Donghua Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., will employ for the first time in China a combined system of air-cooled towers and open towers. By reasonably distributing the water inflow at different ambient temperatures, this system is expected to achieve a comprehensive annual water savings rate of over 55% while also reducing temperatures by 10°C. In addition, it will make use of an innovative large-scale flat-type water-saving and mist-reducing module technology to further enhance its water-saving capabilities. Other parts of the project will also be subcontracted to various domestic engineering companies for completion. Among them, the EPC contract for the high-efficiency membrane concentration and evaporation crystallization unit was signed by Shenhua Engineering Technology Co., Ltd.; the EPC contract for the sulfur recovery unit was signed by Shandong Sanwei Chemical Group Co., Ltd.; the EPC contract for the plant’s flares was signed by Jiangsu Zhongsheng High-Tech Industry Co., Ltd.; the EPC contract for the gasification unit was signed by Sinopec Ningbo Engineering Co., Ltd.; the EPC contract for the air separation unit was signed by Hualu Engineering Technology Co., Ltd.; the EPC contract for the conversion and heat recovery units was also signed by Hualu Engineering Technology Co., Ltd.; and the EPC contract for the 220 kV main substation was signed by China National Nuclear Power Planning & Design Institute Co., Ltd. Next, Guoneng Baotou Coal Chemical Co., Ltd. will continue to pursue the implementation of high-end chemical projects such as those related to green hydrogen and green oxygen production as well as polyglycolic acid production. The total investment in these projects is expected to exceed 40 billion yuan, providing strong support for Baotou in seizing the major opportunities associated with the \"dual carbon\" goals, accelerating the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and fostering the development of strategic emerging industries.