Zhenjiang Jiangnan Chemical — Chloromethane (2021) — 450 kW Gas Compression Package for Chloromethane Production

Zhenjiang Jiangnan Chemical Co., Ltd., based in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, is a producer of chloromethanes — a family of chlorinated methane derivatives including methyl chloride (CH3Cl), methylene chloride (CH2Cl2), chloroform (CHCl3), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). These products serve diverse industrial applications: methyl chloride is a key intermediate for silicone manufacturing, methylene chloride is widely used as a solvent and paint stripper, and chloroform is a precursor for PTFE (Teflon) production.

Customer	Zhenjiang Jiangnan Chemical Co., Ltd.
Plant / Unit	Chloromethane Production
Equipment	Gas Compression Package
Design Institute	Zhejiang Titan Design & Engineering Co., Ltd.
Design Code	GB
Motor Power	450 kW per unit
Gas Handled	Chloromethane mixture
Quantity	2 sets

Customer Background

Zhenjiang Jiangnan Chemical Co., Ltd., based in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, is a producer of chloromethanes — a family of chlorinated methane derivatives including methyl chloride (CH₃Cl), methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂), chloroform (CHCl₃), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). These products serve diverse industrial applications: methyl chloride is a key intermediate for silicone manufacturing, methylene chloride is widely used as a solvent and paint stripper, and chloroform is a precursor for PTFE (Teflon) production.

Chloromethane production via methanol hydrochlorination or methane chlorination generates mixed-gas streams containing multiple chlorinated species, unreacted feedstock, and HCl byproduct. These streams require compression to elevated pressures for condensation and fractionation in downstream distillation columns, where the individual chloromethane products are separated to commercial purity specifications.

Engineering Challenges: Chlorinated Gas Compression

Compressing chloromethane mixtures presents unique engineering challenges compared to standard hydrocarbon or refrigerant compression. The gas mixture is both corrosive and reactive — trace moisture in the gas stream forms hydrochloric acid that attacks carbon steel and standard alloy components. The lubricating oil must be chemically inert to chlorinated hydrocarbons; standard mineral or PAO oils degrade in chloromethane service, forming sludge and acidic compounds that foul bearings and valves.

Zhejiang Titan Design & Engineering specified the compressor operating envelope to handle composition variations that occur during normal production. The ratio of mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-chloromethane in the mixture shifts with reactor temperature, chlorine-to-methane feed ratio, and catalyst condition — changing the gas molecular weight, specific heat ratio, and condensation behavior. The compressor must operate reliably across this composition range without exceeding discharge temperature limits or experiencing liquid slugging from premature condensation of heavier species.

Why Zhenjiang Jiangnan Chemical 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.

Engineering and Manufacturing Solution

Lmart engineered and fabricated Gas Compression Package for Zhenjiang Jiangnan Chemical Co., Ltd. to GB. The scope of supply included complete detail design, material procurement, fabrication, inspection, testing, and documentation.

Key engineering considerations for this project included thermal-hydraulic performance optimization, material selection for the specific process environment, and compliance with GB requirements for design, fabrication, and inspection.

The equipment was manufactured at Lmart’s Zhangjiagang facility, which provides full-cycle fabrication capabilities including plate rolling, head forming, machining, welding (SAW, GTAW, SMAW), post-weld heat treatment, and NDE — all under a single quality management system.

Delivery and Outcome

Both packages were delivered to the Zhenjiang site and integrated with the existing chloromethane production line. The fact that Jiangnan Chemical returned to Lmart for a second order in 2021 — three years after the initial 2018 delivery — is significant. In chemical gas compression, a repeat order from the same customer is the strongest possible endorsement of equipment reliability and vendor service quality, because the customer has direct operating experience with the first installation’s performance, maintenance requirements, and total cost of ownership.

Results and Business Impact

Lmart successfully delivered Gas Compression Package to Zhenjiang Jiangnan Chemical 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 chemical manufacturing applications, demonstrating the company’s ability to deliver equipment that meets international quality and certification standards.

Customer Voice

“The equipment was delivered on schedule and the documentation package was complete. The quality of fabrication met our inspection requirements.”

— Zhenjiang Jiangnan Chemical Co., Ltd. project team (paraphrased from project review)

Note: Lmart respects client confidentiality. Specific contact references are available upon request during the qualification process.