The intermittent heating furnace (F-204) of the ethanol production unit in Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Yulin Kaiyue Coal Chemical’s 500,000 tons per year methanol-to-ethanol project achieved successful first ignition

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Recently, the intermittent heating furnace (F-204), a key equipment in the ethanol production unit of Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Yulin Kaiyue Coal Chemical Co., Ltd.’s 500,000 tons per year methanol-to-ethanol project, was successfully ignited for the first time, marking the official transition of this ethanol production unit from the construction phase to the pre-production phase. The intermittent heating furnace (F-204) of the ethanol production unit in Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Yulin Kaiyue Coal Chemical’s 500,000 tons per year methanol-to-ethanol project achieved successful first ignition. This heating furnace is responsible for drying and activating the catalyst, and the quality of its operation is crucial for ensuring the long-term safe operation of the facility. To date, the furnace heating process is progressing steadily in accordance with the established temperature rise curve, laying a solid foundation for subsequent trial operations and commissioning. The site for Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Yulin Kaiyue Coal Chemical Co., Ltd.’s 500,000 tons per year methanol-to-ethanol production project is located on the industrial land reserved within Kaiyue Coal Chemical’s existing plant. The project utilizes the DMTE methanol-to-ethanol process technology developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; it involves upgrading the existing shift and purification units, and making use of the excess syngas and methanol available in those units for expansion and renovation. The project consists of four sections: a new factory complex, a vinyl acetate plant area, a circulating water tank area, and a reserved area. The total land area of the project is 53.9626 hectares, all of which are permanent land uses. The total investment amounts to 6.868 billion yuan, of which the estimated cost for soil and water conservation measures is around 107 million yuan. Construction contents: include a 200,000-ton/year ethyl acetate plant, a 250,000-ton/year ethanol-to-ethylene plant, a 250,000-ton/year vinyl acetate plant, and a 200,000-ton/year EVA plant, among others. The 250,000 tons/year vinyl acetate plant and associated auxiliary facilities were constructed in advance and put into operation. It will be constructed simultaneously with the Kaiyue Coal Chemical 500,000 tons/year methanol-to-ethanol project.