Coal-to-olefins unit starting up in China

Aug. 13, 2010
China Shenhua Coal to Liquid & Chemical Co. Ltd. has started the gasification unit at a large coal-to-olefins demonstration project in Baotou, Inner Mongolia.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 13
-- China Shenhua Coal to Liquid & Chemical Co. Ltd. has started the gasification unit at a large coal-to-olefins demonstration project in Baotou, Inner Mongolia.

At capacity in the fourth quarter this year, the project will produce 1.8 million tonnes/year of methanol for conversion into olefins, ultimately yielding about 600,000 tpy of polyethylene and polypropylene.

The gasification unit uses advanced technology provided by GE, which calls Baotou one of the largest coal-to-olefins projects in the world. The process converts coal into synthesis gas, which the Baotou project uses for methanol production.

The project has five gasifiers and two spare units.

Jason Crew, GE Power & Water director of gasification projects—Asia, said the Shenhua facility is one of three large coal-to-olefins demonstration projects funded by the Chinese government and the first to start up.