Coal gasification facility achieves world record

The Sinopec Qilu No. 2 fertilizer plant in China has achieved the world’s longest continuous operation record for a licensed GE coal fuelled gasification facility, at 481 days. The record-breaking cycle began on December 14, 2011 and ended on April 8, 2013.

The GE technology that helped set the record is being discussed at the Gasification Technologies Conference in Colorado Springs.

"The reliability of GE gasification technology combined with our focus on excellent plant operations and equipment management, made this accomplishment possible,” said Mr Song Hong Peng, director of the Sinopec Qilu plant. “Now, we look forward to building on this success. Working with GE opens the door to additional technology innovations while we continue to find ways to enhance everything from feed-stock selection to preventive maintenance.”

GE gasification technology

The plant, located in Zibo, Shandong Province, uses three GE gasifiers, allowing two to operate while one is on standby for planned maintenance. GE gasification technology at the plant began operation in October 2008. The plant produces a gas consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which is used as raw material to produce butyl alcohol and methanol.

As part of the growing coal-to-chemical industry in China, the plant is expected to meet new and stricter regulations for efficiency and water consumption.

“Given the vast coal reserves in China and the importance of the country’s coal-to-chemical industry, GE continues to research and develop innovations that will further improve operations, including energy efficiency and water consumption,” commented Yang Dan, of Power Generation China at GE.

He added: “GE has a track record of more than 50 years of success in China, we know how important it is to operate simply and reliably, and help customers achieve their financial goals. Sinopec Qilu sets the record, but in many ways it is not an exception”.

Efficient, lower emissions

GE’s sophisticated gasification technology uses RSC heat recovery system to capture heat in the form of steam during the gasification process, which converts coal to syngas. This enhanced steam production greatly reduces the need for additional steam or power produced from stand-alone boilers, boosting the efficiency and reducing the emissions of coal-to-chemical facilities.

GE operates almost 160 gasifiers globally, 87 of which are in China. The company’s gasification business offers over 60 years of industry leading experience, proven technology and flexible engineered solutions.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/16102013/coal_gasification_facility_achieves_world_record_135/