A serious defect of the PA 701 complex heat exchange unit (known as ‘coldbox’) was discovered during the start-up of UNIPETROL RPA’s ethylene unit following the planned shutdown. Impact of the damage of the unit is being investigated. Based on the results the time for the repair of the equipment will be set up.
Litvínov, 29 October 2007 – UNIPETROL RPA is preparing measures to enable the operation of the ethylene unit without the PA 701 with partial hydrogen supplies from the partial oxidation (POX) unit. The operating modifications and testing of the retrofitted plant and equipment of the ethylene unit will continue throughout this week. The ethylene unit will probably start production between 6 and 7 November 2007. Until the PA 701 is repaired, the ethylene unit should operate at a limited capacity (70 to 80 percent of its maximum capacity).
Due to a field burner accident, other units of Unipetrol RPA, which had already started operation after the shutdown, had to be shut down again in addition to the POX unit. The POX unit produces hydrogen, which is indispensable for the operation of the above units. The said units should start operation immediately after POX start-up. UNIPETROL expects to commission the POX unit probably by 8 November 2007.
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Unipetrol RPA has been undergoing the historically longer planned shutdown aimed at regular maintenance, process equipment update and production capacity increase since September.
Contact:
Pavel Veselý
Unipetrol RPA, s.r.o.
Mobil: (+420) 736 505 264
e-mail:
pavel.vesely@unipetrol.cz
29 Oct 2007
