ChemChina Petrochemical Jinan branch’s steam electric power project in its Changcheng production zone went into operation in October. It can save 1.68 kWh in electric power annually, or 1.27 million yuan ($208,463) in costs. The project can also save 24,000 tons of water, or 123,100 yuan in costs.
The zone optimized processes in 2012. It found that there 8 tons of steam was being released per hour without being utilized, a waste of thermal energy and softened water. Therefore, the company’s leadership asked personnel from technology, quality and power departments to conduct a field study on steam recovery and power generation through the screw expansion machine. They decided to apply screw expansion power generation technology, combined with the energy optimization plan, and utilize the residue steam from the catalysis unit.
The use of residue steam can bring down unit consumption and cut carbon dioxide emissions.