Platform on production and process automation
Ever since the start-up of terephthalic acid production in Ningbo, in China's Zhejiang province, Yisheng Petrochemical has been cooperating with VEGA. Over the past nineteen years, a close relationship has developed between the two partners.
The name terephthalic acid (PTA) may sound little familiar, but everyone has come into contact with the substance. After all, 90% of its production worldwide is used to make PET. In addition, it serves to produce technical polyesters such as PBT. A plastic that VEGA also appreciates in its plastic enclosures because of its high chemical and thermal resistance. Yishen Petrochemical specializes in the production of PTA. Since its inception, it has been steadily building a larger market share worldwide from several sites. Together, these sites accounted for a capacity of about
45 million tons of PTA.
For its level measurements, Yisheng Petrochemical uses only sensors from VEGA. "Even during the development phase, we faced enormous challenges," explains technical manager Du Daquan. "When you choose VEGA products, you can rest assured that everything will go smoothly." The company experienced this firsthand, when cheaper sensors at another site brought the project to a halt for a long time. In the early days, the company relied extensively on VEGA engineers for installation and set-up. This has changed recently. "We have learned a lot from the VEGA know-how, over the past few years," Daquan says. "They are very compact and easy to install measuring instruments. The user interface is clear, insightful and settings are easy to adjust."
Meanwhile, more than 500 VEGA instruments are at work in Ningbo, including the radar sensors VEGAPULS 6X and VEGAFLEX 81, the vibrating level switch VEGASWING 63, the radiometric SOLITRAC 31 for level measurement and the MINITRAC 31 for density determination. "We are already on the fourth generation of radar measuring instruments. An additional advantage is the robust nature of the sensors, which minimizes the maintenance work that operators and measurement technicians normally have to perform. For example, the ultrasonic sensors for continuous level measurements have been working flawlessly with minimum maintenance since 2004."
The PTA plant actually consists of two parts: oxidizing and refining. In the oxidation unit, a catalytic process is used in which the crude terephthalic acid (CTA) is obtained through the oxidation of p-xylene. This is followed by a second oxidation, crystallization, a first mixing (filtration), drying and then pneumatic transport to the refining unit. Again, several process steps such as purification, pressurization, heating, reaction and crystallization are carried out. This is followed by a second round of blending, drying, aeration, ...
VEGA sensors are distributed throughout both units. Thus, radiometric sensors track the amount of catalysts added to the process. They have the advantage of being able to measure non-contact from the outside and thus do not affect process conditions. Almost 90% of processes are monitored automatically. Accuracy is critical to product quality.
An electromechanical level measurement system had been running in the warehouse for years. But due to component wear, it began to deliver incorrect data, making regular maintenance a must. Today, radar sensors from VEGA monitor the level in the tanks, which can now be filled all the way to the top. This allows better use of storage space. "It was very convenient that we could test the VEGAPULS 6X sensors for fourteen days before replacing the old system. As soon as the results were on point, we could simply continue to operate the VEGAPULS," says Daquan.
It's not just the technology that counts. Yisheng Petrochemical also appreciates the mutual trust, close contact with VEGA engineers, easy procurement process and reliable customer service. "As soon as VEGA launches new products, we can test them. This was the case, for example, after the revision of the PROTRAC series." These radiometric instruments were applied in a new project that involved 3 million
tons of PTA per year will be produced. Yisheng Petrochemical is therefore convinced that its cooperation with VEGA will continue. Especially since it plans to further automate its processing facilities in the future, which will increase its need for reliable, intelligent sensors.
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VEGA - innovative level, switching and pressure measurement technology that makes processes safer and simpler The process industry is becoming increasingly complex. With innovative solutions, VEGA helps to simplify the industry. We do this with measuring instruments, which are easy to install and commission and where quality, safety and reliability are always paramount. VEGA is a specialist in the field [...]
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