Summary of the Ethylene Industry in 1998
Thanks to strenuous efforts made by ethylene produc-ers  in
active market expansion, new developments were made in the
ethylene industry in 1998.
1. Output exceeding 3770 kt
  A full-load production of ethylene was made in 1998.  The
output hit the historical record through adopting  various
measures such as shortening the overhaul  time,   ensuring
the matching and stability of downstream production  units
and utilities and actively expanding the product market.
The target output in the ethylene industry for 1998  was  3
740 kt, and the  planned  output  in  China  Petrochemical
Corporation was 2 230 kt. Both the target output  and  the
planned output were over-fulfilled. The actual  output  in
the ethylene industry was 3 772.392 kt, a rise of 193. 191
kt and 5.40%  over  1997.   The  actual  output  in  China
Petrochemical Corporation was 2 267.786 kt, a rise  of  17
.989 kt and 0.8%.  The  actual  output  in  China  National
Petroleum Corporation was 1 272.776 kt, a rise of 144. 596
kt and 12.82%.
(1) In spite of an 18-day overhaul, the  actual  output  in
Yanshan Petrochemical Corporation still reached 491.402 kt
in 1998, with an average daily output of 1 416 t,   4  t/d
higher than 1997. The North furnace  was  put  in  use  in
September 1998, and a high-load and stable  production  in
the ethylene units can be all the more guaranteed.
(2) An overhaul was conducted and technical renovation  and
expansion was completed in Qilu Petrochemical Corporation.
It took 39 days from the shutdown  to  the  production  of
qualified product. The production was re-started on  Sept.
27. The maximal capacity expansion technology (MCET)  from
Lummus was used and the capacity of ethylene units reached
450 kt/a. The actual output was 335.555 kt in 1998, a rise
of 7 369 t and 2.25% over 1997.
(3) No  overhaul  was  conducted  in  Yangzi  Petrochemical
Corporation. The actual output was 409.123 kt in 1998,   a
rise of 10.915 kt and 2.74%  over  1997.   At  a  time  of
ethylene price  reduction  in  the  international  market,
Yangzi Petrochemical Corporation  imported  ethylene  from
abroad by low- temperature  storage  tanks,   reduced  the
production  loan  of  ethylene  units  and  achieved  good
economic benefits. The company also expanded  the  product
market by developing small users.
(4) No overhaul  was  conducted  to  1#  ethylene  unit  in
  Shanghai  Petrochemical  Corporation.   An  overhaul  and
technical renovation and expansion were  conducted  to  2#
ethylene unit. The shutdown took place on Dec.  20,   1997
and the production was re-started on Feb. 22,  1998.   The
capacity was expanded to 400 kt/a. The actual  output  was
503.493 kt in 1998, a rise of 49.044 kt and  10. 93%  over
1997, holding the first place in  the  ethylene  industry.
The average daily output in 2# ethylene unit was 1 115 t.
(5) The unmatched ethylene balance in downstream  units  of
Tianjin Petrochemical Corporation  restricted the  further
expansion of the ethylene capacity. In spite of a  23- day
overhaul, the actual output still reached 134.753 kt,  102
.08% of the yearly plan 132 kt, a rise of 5 735t  and 4.45%
over the actual output 129.018 kt in 1997 (with no overhaul)
.
(6) The ethylene units in Maoming Petrochemical Corporation
made a continuous running of 28 months by the end of 1998,
  and  the  output  reached  the  planned  target  for  two
consecutive years. The actual output was 304.362 kt in 1998,
101.454% of the yearly plan 300 kt, a rise of 3 224 t and 1.
07% over 1997. The average daily output was 834 t.
(7) In spite of a two-month shutdown for rectification, the
actual output in Zhongyuan Petrochemical Corporation still
reached 89.098 kt in 1998, a  drop  of  29. 16%  from  the
actual output 110.794 kt in 1997.
( 8)   The  yearly  plan  was  over- fulfilled  in   Daqing
Petrochemical General Works. The actual output was 366.666
kt, hitting the historical record, a rise of 36.5 kt and 11.
06% over 1997. No overhaul was conducted.   The  production
was smooth and stable and there were  no  shutdowns.   The
average daily output was 1 005 t.
(9) The ethylene units in Liaoya-
ng Oil and Chemical Fiber Corporation adopted a  series  of
  measures  to  conduct  technical  renovation,    optimize
production and implement assessment systems in  1998.   In
spite of a 17- day  overhaul,   the  actual  output  still
reached 93.015 kt, 101.25% of the yearly plan, but a  drop
of 5 873 t and 5.94% from 1997. The average  daily  output
was 270 t, equal to 1997.
(10) The 28-day overhaul conducted to the ethylene units in
Lanzhou Chemical Industrial Corporation  in  1998  removed
problems  in  technical  renovation  and  expansion.   The
operation was improved after the re-start  of  production.
The actual output was 130.003 kt, a rise of 18.7 kt and 16
.80% over 1997. The average daily output was 386  t,   much
higher than 314 t/d in 1997. However, only 81.25%  of  the
yearly plan 160 kt was fulfilled.
(11) A 25-day overhaul was conducted to the ethylene  units
in Fushun Petrochemical Corporation in 1998.   The  actual
output was 140.518 kt in 1998, a rise of 20 kt and 16. 69%
over 1997. The yearly plan 140 kt was over- fulfilled  and
the design output target 140 kt/a was attained. The  units
made a smooth and stable running for the whole year.   The
average daily output was 413 t.
(12) Due to the insufficient ability of ethylene balance in
  downstream  units,   the  ethylene  production  in  Jilin
Chemi