Intelligent severity optimization project pays off in two months

摘要

The Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Corp. (SYPC) wanted to increase ethylene production at the Nanjing facility while decreasing energy consumption. The ethylene producer elected to use a real-time optimization (RTO) program to meet its production and energy consumption goals. The SYPC ethylene plant at Nanjing, China, increased higher-value product yield by 1.3% and decreased energy consumption by 2.5%. The authors discuss the thinking and techniques applied to achieve both goals.Background. As one of the pioneers in the development and application of novel technologies in Sinopec, SYPC has been working closely with East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) for technical research to improve operation efficiency, reduce energy consumption and increase benefits. On the way to total automation, the "step-by-step" principle was observed. The first target for the ethylene plant should be the ethylene cracker, since it is not only the most important device but also the largest energy consumer.