The low-temperature methanol wash off-gas CO reduction project at China Shenhua’s Baotou Chemical has recently achieved full-process integration and was successfully commissioned in its first attempt, with all operating parameters meeting standards and performing stably. The project has successfully enabled the resource-based recovery and utilization of carbon monoxide from the off-gas, marking a critical breakthrough in enhancing the unit’s environmental compliance and optimizing resource efficiency. Through tangible technical retrofitting outcomes, it has effectively bolstered the company’s safe, green, and high-quality development.
Low-temperature methanol washing is a core gas purification process in the coal-to-methanol industry. During production, when methanol is used as an absorbent to remove acid gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, it simultaneously absorbs a portion of valuable components like hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This has long given rise to pervasive industry challenges, including waste of resources, tight regulatory pressure on off-gas emission metrics, and difficulty in on-site safety management. To fundamentally resolve this problem, the company adopted a science-based and targeted approach based in actual production conditions. By concentrating, enriching, recovering, and reusing the carbon monoxide fraction from the off-gas, it has substantially curtailed hazardous gas emissions at the source. Throughout the construction phase, the specialized technical task force consistently prioritized safety and quality, rigorously evaluating and refining the construction plan, enforcing comprehensive quality controls at every stage, and strictly adhering to all safety operation procedures. The team efficiently executed equipment installation, pipeline hookups, interlock logic tuning, and full-system integrated commissioning. With all members closely tracking critical milestones and maintaining closed-loop oversight, the project was ultimately commissioned smoothly on the first attempt. After commissioning, the unit has operated steadily, with all performance indicators meeting design specifications.
Since commissioning, the project has noticeably enhanced the utilization efficiency of raw materials and improved the quality of the main products. It delivers consistent annual cost savings and efficiency gains, thereby achieving the triple objectives of higher safety track record, better environmental performance, and greater economic returns. Looking ahead, the company will remain committed to innovation-driven growth, with a strategic focus on energy saving, consumption reduction, and resource recycling. It will continue to deepen process retrofitting and streamlined management, resolutely advancing toward a path of green, low-carbon, safe, and efficient high-quality development.
