A newcomer’s report on air separation – here is a summary article

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Summary of Nanhua Air Separation Plant’s first half of the year: Before we know it, it’s already June. The sun in Nanjing is scorching hot, and daily life is busy yet fulfilling. As a newcomer to a chemical plant, everything seems so new and wonderful. Safety: Safety at the workplace is of paramount importance; it is not only a responsibility towards the company but also a way of being responsible for oneself. Throughout this half year, I have kept this in mind constantly. At 6 a.m. on April 21, an explosion occurred at the ethylene storage tank at Nanjing Yangzi Petrochemical (the epoxy purification tower in the olefins plant). At 9 p.m. on June 12, an explosion took place at the ethylene oxide unit at Denka Chemical Plant in the Nanjing Chemical Industrial Park, which caused three nearby alcohol storage tanks to catch fire as well. Accidents keep happening right around us, which inevitably keeps us on high alert. Study*: When studying*, one should always remind oneself that professional knowledge is one of the ways to ensure safety. Over these six months, I have familiarized myself with the air separation process, the key control points and instrument parameters by using textbooks, research materials, and supplementary books. I have also gained an understanding of mechanical equipment and its applications, learned how to interpret and draw PID diagrams, understood the structure of basic chemical engineering equipment, and acquired the ability to assess and analyze the safety aspects as well as common fault conditions in air separation units. Additionally, I have mastered the procedures for starting up and shutting down such systems. Constantly improve one’s professional competence, broaden one’s horizons, and expand one’s knowledge. I have always believed that this is a rare learning opportunity, a platform for self-improvement, one that should be seized firmly. Practice: While learning, one must also keep practicing; it’s not enough to rely solely on theoretical knowledge – it is necessary to combine what is learned from textbooks with real-world applications. During our time at Nanhua, we worked shifts alongside the masters, fighting side by side with them. In the DCS room, we listen to the technicians’ analyses of various operating conditions, observe how they carry out startup and shutdown procedures for the equipment, learn their methods for dealing with different faults, and memorize their experiences and skills. At the air separation site, we examine the pipelines, understand the processes, grasp the principles, and know how to apply them; when faced with issues we don’t understand, we actively discuss them to quickly comprehend and master them. Combine textbooks with practical applications, and make sure to grasp every knowledge point that can be learned. Life: In life, we are not only classmates but also colleagues; we overcome difficulties together and share in the joys of success together. During our time at Nanhua, we got through it together, experiencing many things – moments of sadness and joy, complaints, and worries. We comforted one another, learned from each other, and competed with one another. We are a family; we are all working hard for a better future for ourselves. The greatest gain I’ve had in these six months at Nanhua is you all – my mentors, my colleagues, this job, and my passion for it.