The reheating furnace, a key piece of equipment in Harbin’s 150,000 tons/year reformate gasoline xylene separation technology upgrade project, was successfully ignited after its drying process

Thread Content

On November 17, the 150,000 tons per year reformate gasoline xylene separation technology upgrade project at the Harbin site reached a key milestone: the heating and ignition of the core equipment, namely the reboiler, were successful on the first attempt. The flame in the furnace burned steadily, and all temperature control parameters as well as the operating parameters of the interlock system met the design specifications, thus laying a solid foundation for the subsequent commissioning and stable operation of the project. To withstand the severe cold and meet tight deadlines, the project team devised a reverse scheduling plan to overcome challenges. At the beginning of the project, faced with both the tight schedule and the harsh winter conditions, the team carefully analyzed weather patterns and developed a specific winter construction plan, breaking down the overall timeline into smaller tasks and advancing work in a reverse order. All the personnel involved in the project braved the severe cold and remained at the work site, working hard to advance progress and ensure quality, thus successfully overcoming the challenges posed by low-temperature conditions during construction. Construction of devices prior to operation: Innovative management approaches are needed to ensure safety. The construction area is located right next to the operating devices, making it extremely difficult to coordinate safety measures with construction activities. The project department has innovated its safety management approach, with safety supervisors and team leaders conducting daily \"safety briefings\" to identify the key tasks and challenges of the day, as well as the measures needed to mitigate risks, thereby ensuring control over both risks and quality throughout the entire process. “The “thermal heart” is activated; a successful single ignition is required. As the “thermal core” of the xylene separation unit, the quality of its heating process directly determines the safety of the equipment and its ability to operate over extended periods of time. This furnace drying process requires precise temperature control to remove moisture from the refractory materials in the furnace, thereby promoting thorough sintering of the refractory mortar. It also involves a comprehensive inspection of the thermal performance of the furnace’s steel structure, nozzles, instruments, and interlock systems; it is a key milestone in the progress of the project. To ensure the furnace drying process is foolproof, the project team established a dedicated task force and conducted multiple technical briefings as well as hazard identifications in the early stages. During construction, strict adherence to standard procedures such as the \"S-shaped ignition sequence\" and \"switching burners every 8 hours\" was observed. Key aspects such as gas replacement, pressure control, and heating rate were monitored throughout the process, ensuring that the temperature rise in the furnace remained within the requirements specified by the process parameters. This approach prevented risks such as overheating and deformation. Through close coordination among various units, the project team carried out a series of operations in an orderly manner, including system purging and replacement, DCS program debugging, lighting of the permanent light, and commissioning of the main burner. Safety protocols were strictly followed throughout the process to ensure that the furnace pressure remained negative and that the gas analysis results were satisfactory, ultimately achieving the goal of a successful ignition on the first attempt. It is reported that once this project is fully operational, it will significantly improve the efficiency of xylene separation and the purity of the products, which is of great significance for promoting the upgrading of the local petrochemical industry. At present, the project team is strictly following the furnace drying curve to carry out constant-temperature curing and data monitoring, making steady progress toward the goal of completing the project on schedule.