In 2012, the ChemChina Petrochemical (Tianjin) Co did its best to develop a circular economy and make full use of potential energy sources through technological renovations, and found more efficient energy use and reuse without increased energy consumption. By the end of November, energy consumption overall had dropped by 37 percent, from the same 2011 period, with a savings of 85 kilograms of standard oil per ton of output and its circular economy now has good prospects.
In promoting a circular economy, Tianjin Petrochemical made the complete utilization of heat energy its first goal and hired a group of professionals to do a thorough study and for energy-wasting areas. With careful planning, a solution was found for recycling and making full use of existing energy sources. It also started an air compressor renovation project, with the idea of saving energy and, by May, it had three renovation plans for the integrated, optimal use of the atmospheric heat exchange network; better utilization of low temperature heat in the heavy-oil catalytic cracking unit; and for the atmospheric furnace air pre-heater recovery in the atmospheric and vacuum distillation unit. Work on the three projects started simultaneously and, by early September, it was completed and they were back in operation.
Under the circular economy, the three technological-renovation projects were able to cut equipment energy consumption to varying degrees and recycle residual heat. Tianjin Petrochemical spent more than 10 million yuan ($1.6 million) on equipment and the transformation process and the effects are clearly evident. Monthly energy consumption of the catalytic cracking unit dropped sharply and, annual energy consumption of the whole company is expected to cut by 7,000 tons of standard oil. Tianjin Petrochemical now has a preliminary plan for circular economic development in 2013 and even greater progress.