Coal-fired ethanol - Xinjiang Qinghuo, 300,000 tons/year
2026-08-18
| Section | Description |
| Project Description | A comprehensive ethanol dehydration and rectification unit with a capacity of 300,000 tons per year, part of the coal chemical production of the Xinjiang Qinghuo Group. Ethanol is obtained from coal via the synthesis gas chain - carbonylation of dimethyl ether / direct hydrogenation of acetic acid. The production is located in a high-mountainous continental zone with high dust levels and a dry climate. |
| Installation performance | Annual production of anhydrous ethanol: 300,000 tons; product: industrial and high purity solvent; purity: ≥ 99.9%. |
| Products used | High-strength wear-resistant molecular sieve type 3A for ethanol drying, granule diameter 3.0-5.0mm, high adsorption capacity class. |
| Technical solution | Ensuring stability of equilibrium mass transfer in the TSA vapor phase under high load and ultra-long service life (≥ 5 years). Carbon ethanol contains microimpurities of acetic acid, ethyl acetate and higher unsaturated alcohols that can catalytically polymerize on the acid sites of zeolite at operating temperatures of 130–150 °C. The adsorbent used is characterized by strict maintenance of the pore size at a level of 3 Å to prevent the penetration of impurities and increased chemical inertness of the frame. |
| Key Benefits | Complete prevention of coke formation in micropores due to co-adsorption, eliminating the collapse of the tank and unscheduled shutdowns for replacement. Exceptionally high mechanical strength against abrasion and crushing: withstands cyclic shock loads during pressure release, guarantees the absence of abrasive zeolite dust at the condenser outlet. |
Adsorbents for deep ethanol drying – 70% market share in China
In the field of deep drying and production of absolute ethanol (fuel, fine chemical and pharmaceutical grade), temperature vibrational adsorption (TSA) technology on 3A molecular sieves occupies a dominant position with a market share of approx.70%.
•Physico-chemical principle of deep drying:Ethanol and water form an azeotropic mixture (water content about 4.4%). Conventional rectification does not allow one to overcome the azeotropic point and obtain a product with a strength higher than ~95.0%.
•Precision molecular sieve effect 3A:Type A zeolite in potassium form is used. Its micropore size is strictly controlled in the range of 3.0 ± 0.2 Å. A water molecule with a kinetic diameter of 2.6 Å easily penetrates into the pores and is firmly held by a strong polar field, while an ethanol molecule (diameter 4.4 Å) is completely excluded from the internal volume of the crystal.
• Technological and economic advantage: The complete exclusion of large ethanol molecules from micropores completely suppresses side reactions, such as high-temperature condensation with the formation of diethyl ether, fusel compounds and subsequent coke formation. This ensures stable vapor phase operation of TSA at 110-140°C without the use of any external azeotropes.
