Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical — Propylene BOG (2017) — Boil-Off Gas Compression for Acrylic Tank Area
By Qiangbin Chu · Sales Manager & Operations Lead
Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical is a leading Chinese producer of acrylic acid, acrylate esters, and C2/C3 chemicals, with integrated production facilities in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, and Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province. Propylene is the primary feedstock for acrylic acid production and is stored in large cryogenic or semi-refrigerated tanks at the plant site.
| Client | Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical Co., Ltd. |
| Plant / Unit | Propylene BOG — Acrylic Tank Area |
| Equipment | BOG Compression Package × 2 |
| Design Code | GB |
| Motor Power | 450 kW per unit |
| Gas Handled | Propylene mixture (boil-off gas) |
| Application | Acrylic tank area BOG recovery |
| Design Institute | Wuhuan Engineering Co., Ltd. |
| Year | 2017 |
Customer Background
Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical is a leading Chinese producer of acrylic acid, acrylate esters, and C2/C3 chemicals, with integrated production facilities in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, and Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province. Propylene is the primary feedstock for acrylic acid production and is stored in large cryogenic or semi-refrigerated tanks at the plant site.
Cryogenic propylene storage tanks continuously generate boil-off gas (BOG) due to heat ingress through tank insulation. Without compression and recovery, this BOG would need to be flared — a direct loss of valuable feedstock and an environmental concern. BOG compressors capture the evaporated propylene, re-pressurize it, and return it to the liquid propylene system or feed it directly to the production process.
The acrylic acid production chain is one of Satellite Petrochemical’s core business units, converting propylene feedstock through catalytic oxidation. Reliable propylene supply — including effective BOG recovery — is essential for maintaining continuous acrylic acid production and minimizing raw material losses.
Challenges and Engineering Requirements
System Integration and Package Design
Compressor packages are not standalone machines — they are integrated systems combining the compressor, driver, interstage coolers, separators, control panels, piping, and instrumentation on a common skid frame. Every component must be engineered to work together: gas flow paths optimized to minimize pressure losses, vibration isolation designed to prevent resonance between rotating equipment and the skid structure, and control logic programmed to protect the compressor across all operating conditions.
Process Gas Compatibility
Compressing BOG Compression Package × 2 service in the petrochemical processing sector requires materials and seal systems compatible with the specific gas composition, including trace contaminants that can cause accelerated corrosion, elastomer degradation, or lubricant breakdown. The design must address gas properties at each compression stage — temperature rise, condensation risk, and molecular weight changes for gas mixtures.
Noise, Vibration, and Mechanical Integrity
Reciprocating and screw compressors generate significant dynamic forces that propagate through the skid structure to the foundation. The package design must account for pulsation dampening, piping flexibility analysis, and anchor bolt sizing to prevent fatigue failures in connected piping and instrumentation. Acoustic enclosures or silencers may be required to meet plant noise limits.
Why Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical Co., Ltd. Selected Lmart
Turnkey package engineering. Lmart provides complete compressor package engineering including process simulation, mechanical design, structural analysis of the skid frame, piping stress analysis, and control system programming — delivered as a factory-tested, ready-to-install module.
Multi-gas experience. Lmart has delivered compression packages for natural gas, BOG (boil-off gas), propylene, hydrogen, chloromethane, and other process gases, each with its own material compatibility, seal technology, and safety requirements.
Workshop integration and testing. Complete packages are assembled, piped, wired, and functionally tested at Lmart’s facility before shipment. Factory acceptance testing includes mechanical run tests, control loop verification, and safety system validation.
Technical Scope and Specifications
Two BOG compression packages compress propylene-rich boil-off gas from the acrylic tank area’s low-pressure vapor space to the required delivery pressure. Each unit is driven by a 450 kW motor and handles a propylene mixture with variable composition depending on tank inventory, ambient temperature, and operational state.
Key design considerations:
- Variable suction conditions: BOG flow rate and composition fluctuate with ambient temperature, tank filling level, and tanker loading/unloading operations — the compressor control system must handle wide turndown ratios
- Propylene-rich gas: The BOG is predominantly propylene with traces of lighter and heavier hydrocarbons, requiring material compatibility and seal design suitable for liquefied gas service
- Low suction pressure: BOG compressors typically operate with very low suction pressures (near atmospheric or slightly above), demanding high compression ratios that influence compressor staging and intercooling design
- Two-unit redundancy: Dual compressors ensure continuous BOG recovery during maintenance intervals, preventing flaring
- Wuhuan Engineering design: Equipment specified and documented under Wuhuan’s engineering standards for Satellite Petrochemical’s acrylic acid complex
This was Lmart’s first project for Satellite Petrochemical, establishing a relationship that led to subsequent orders including the LPG BOG compression (2018) and PSA gas compression (2019) packages.
Delivery and Quality Assurance
Both compression packages were factory-assembled and tested at Lmart’s Zhangjiagang facility. Testing included compressor mechanical run-in, vibration analysis, oil system verification, and instrument loop checks. All pressure vessels and piping components were hydro-tested per GB 150 requirements. Documentation was prepared to Wuhuan Engineering’s standards for integration with the acrylic acid complex’s control and safety systems.
The packages were delivered to Satellite Petrochemical’s Jiaxing facility and integrated with the tank farm’s vapor recovery system. Successful operation of these BOG compressors directly contributed to Satellite Petrochemical’s decision to order additional compression packages from Lmart for the LPG propane tank area in 2018 and the PSA hydrogen recovery unit in 2019.
Results and Business Impact
Lmart successfully delivered 2 units of BOG Compression Package × 2 to Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical Co., Ltd., meeting the project’s quality, schedule, and documentation requirements. The equipment was manufactured to GB standards, with full documentation packages accepted by the client and applicable inspection authorities.
This project reinforces Lmart’s position as a qualified manufacturer for petrochemical processing applications, demonstrating the company’s ability to deliver equipment that meets international quality and certification standards.
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Customer Voice
“The equipment was delivered on schedule and the documentation package was complete. The quality of fabrication met our inspection requirements.”
— Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical Co., Ltd. project team (paraphrased from project review)
Note: Lmart respects client confidentiality. Specific contact references are available upon request during the qualification process.