Air Products launches new ASU project at Chinese coal-to-chemicals plant

Industrial gases company Air Products announced today that its four air separation unit (ASU) trains built for Shaanxi Future Energy Chemical Co. in Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, China, have been brought fully onstream. 

The project, capable of producing 12,000 tpd of oxygen and significant tonnage volumes of nitrogen and compressed dry air for the customer's coal chemical plant, represents one of the largest single on-site ASU orders ever committed to an industrial gas company.

"This is a great milestone for Air Products and thanks to Shaanxi Future Energy Chemical for their trust in us to supply the very large industrial gas demand of such a monumental project," said Phil Sproger, vice president of Air Products' industrial gases unit for Asia on-site business development. 

"The successful execution of this world-scale project is another testimonial of our leading position in large air separation and excellence in safety, reliability and technology," he added. "We will continue to pursue opportunities where we can leverage on our application solutions and expertise to support China's sustainable development under its 13th Five-year Plan."

The industrial gases produced by Air Products' ASUs and supplied to Shaanxi Future Energy Chemical at Yulin are used to help produce 1 MMtpy of high-quality oil products. The four ASU trains are equipped with state-of-the-art air compressors, as well as design and technology advancements to enhance energy efficiency and minimize operational costs for the customer.

Established in 2011, Shaanxi Future Energy Chemical is jointly-owned by the state-backed Yankuang Coal Group (50%), Yanzhou Coal Co. (25%) and Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Group (25%). Its Yulin coal-to-liquid demonstration project has recently been awarded "China's Top 10 Project" for the efforts on innovation and sustainability and setting leading examples for the 13th five-year time period by China Petroleum & Chemical Industrial Federation, a non-profit organization covering over 300 major companies, institutions and associations in China's petrochemical industry; and by China Chemical Industry News, the country's leading trade publication.

"We are pleased to have partnered with Air Products on this important project and impressed with their technological and safety expertise demonstrated throughout the execution," said Dr. Sun Qiwen, general manager of Shaanxi Future Energy Chemical.