August 14, 2024 – The 2×450,000-ton-per-year polypropylene plant of Daxie Petrochemical’s refinery-chemical integration project has recently achieved a significant milestone. The successful lifting and installation of its first reactor, 1216-R-201, marks the completion of all 32 major equipment liftings for the polypropylene unit.
This polypropylene facility, one of the largest in China, boasts a diverse product line including homopolymers, random copolymers, and impact copolymers. Upon completion, the project is expected to boost Daxie Petrochemical’s annual polypropylene production capacity to an impressive 1.2 million tons, significantly strengthening and expanding its industrial foundation and further driving the development of the industry chain.
The entire lifting process, which spanned 104 days from the successful installation of the first major equipment, the propylene feed pump pressure stabilizing tank (No. 2216-D-302) on April 18th, to the final placement of the first-line first reactor (1216-R-201) on July 31st, involved the lifting of 32 major pieces of equipment with a total weight of 2,969.2 tons.
It’s worth mentioning that the first loop reactor R201 in the project’s 2×450,000-ton-per-year polypropylene plant is the first domestic attempt to use the “6-tube framed modular prefabricated assembly” technology for loop reactor installation. This innovative technique allows the entire reactor to be lifted and installed in one piece.
The polypropylene project at Daxie Petrochemical includes six loop reactors, each of which is not only large and heavy but also has a complex structure. With a height of 51 meters and a weight exceeding 370 tons per reactor, the project team opted to assemble all six tube segments on the ground before lifting them in one piece. This approach significantly enhances construction safety and cost control.
During the construction of the polypropylene plant’s packaging warehouse, the lifting of the first prefabricated column was also completed, marking the official start of above-ground construction for the warehouse.
Facing challenges such as heavy equipment weight and complex construction environments, Daxie Petrochemical closely collaborated with the construction unit to adopt a series of scientific and effective strategies, according to the Color Masterbatch Industry Network. Through detailed site surveys, they developed a refined layout design and lifting plan. Advanced multi-point lifting technology and modern lifting equipment control systems were utilized to ensure stability and safety during the entire lifting process.
With the successful completion of the major equipment lifting for the polypropylene plant, Daxie Petrochemical’s polypropylene project construction is poised to enter a new phase.