Lifting of 2.2 million tons of hydrocracking unit and 748 tons of hydrorefining reactor for Henan Refining & Chemical’s million-ton ethylene project

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On January 28, reporters learned from Sinopec Henan Refining & Chemical Company that good news has emerged regarding the refinery supporting project for its million-ton ethylene production facility: the first lifting operation of the core equipment for the 2.2-million-ton per year hydrocracking unit, namely the hydrofining reactor, was successfully carried out recently. The 748-ton \"steel giant\" was placed in position with precision, marking not only the official entry of the refinery’s supporting projects into the equipment installation phase but also providing continuous momentum for the progress of the project. As the core equipment of a hydrocracking unit with an annual production capacity of 2.2 million tons, the hydrorefining reactor that has been lifted this time is considered a \"top priority\" in the construction of refinery supporting facilities. It can effectively remove impurities such as sulfur and nitrogen from petroleum products, producing clean fuels that meet National VI standards; it also provides crucial support for increasing the production of aviation fuel, and plays an irreplaceable role in advancing the sustainability and high-end development of processing facilities. It is reported that this hydrogenation refining reactor is the heaviest static equipment among the two main units of the refinery’s supporting facilities, and its lifting accuracy directly determines the installation quality and operational stability of the subsequent units. Due to the limited space at the construction site, coupled with the large size and heavy weight of the equipment, as well as the high risks associated with working at heights and the strict requirements for precise alignment, this places extremely high demands on lifting techniques and coordination skills. To ensure absolute reliability, the project contractor leveraged its professional expertise by assembling a seasoned team to oversee the entire process. From the evaluation of lifting plans and the inspection of equipment upon arrival to the management of the construction procedures, all involved parties worked together to optimize the lifting process, accurately calculate the stress parameters, and ultimately determine the best lifting plan. During the lifting process, at the command of the chief supervisor, the 1,600-ton crawler crane applied force slowly under precise control; the 748-ton hydrogenation reactor was lifted smoothly and moved gradually to achieve accurate alignment. Throughout the entire process, technicians monitored the equipment’s posture and stress levels in real time; all teams worked together in coordination and seamlessly, which ultimately ensured the successful completion of the lifting operation on the first attempt. The supporting projects for oil refining are also being accelerated: on the 20th of this month, a hydrocracking reactor weighing 641 tons was lifted into place ； On the 23rd, a hydrogen fractionation tower measuring 63 meters in height and weighing over 220 tons arrived at the construction site, with lifting scheduled for early February. In addition, the pile foundation construction for two main units of the refinery supporting projects – one for 2.2 million tons per year of hydrocracking and another for 400,000 tons per year of ethane recovery – has been completed, and the installation work for the hydrocracking unit has already begun in full scale.