In the petrochemical industry (e.g., oil refineries and chemical fertilizer plants), there is a demand for powering energy-intensive equipment such as compressors and fans, where steam turbines serve as ideal power sources.

Steam Turbine Drive System for Cracking Unit in Petrochemical Refinery

This project is located at a modern refinery with an annual crude oil processing capacity of 10 million metric tons. In the catalytic cracking unit, a large centrifugal compressor (12MW power) is required to compress reaction gases. Traditional motor drive has high energy consumption and is vulnerable to voltage fluctuations, so the refinery selected an extraction-condensing steam turbine as the power source. The steam turbine is driven by medium-pressure steam produced in the plant (derived from waste heat of process heaters, parameters: 400°C, 4MPa) and directly connected to the compressor without a speed change device, achieving efficient matching.

Operating income

Energy Efficiency & Reliability: The drive efficiency of the steam turbine reaches over 75%, which is about 20% more energy-efficient than motor drive. It saves approximately 15 million kWh of electricity annually, equivalent to RMB 7.5 million in electricity costs (calculated based on an electricity price of RMB 0.5/kWh). The system has strong anti-interference capability, reducing production suspension losses caused by power grid failures.

Low Maintenance Cost: The steam turbine has a simple structure and a long maintenance cycle. The annual maintenance cost is 30% lower than that of motor drive, and the service life of the equipment is extended.

Integration Benefits: By utilizing process steam, the overall energy optimization of the entire plant is realized, carbon emissions are reduced, and the overall economy and operational safety of the refinery are improved.