"Polimir" plans to complete the reconstruction of the ethylene polymerization workshop by the end of the year.

June 17, Minsk / Irina Aniskevich - BELTA /. By the end of the current year, the Polimir plant of Naftan OJSC plans to complete the reconstruction of the compression unit of the ethylene polymerization workshop, the enterprise informed BELTA correspondent. During the reconstruction, four morally and physically obsolete compressors are being replaced with two modern ones: a multi-purpose booster-primary compressor and a second-stage F-8 compressor of the German company Burkhardt with a capacity of 62 tons per hour. Previously, the granulation unit in the workshop was reconstructed, where two old extruders were replaced. The product is manufactured using an innovative technology – mixed initiation of ethylene polymerization. It involves the use of peroxide compounds along with oxygen as initiators for the chemical reaction. This increases the efficiency of polyethylene production. For example, the conversion of ethylene to polyethylene in one reactor cycle increases from 17% to 22%. As noted at the enterprise, the phased reconstruction of the second stage ethylene polymerization workshop will increase polyethylene production capacity from 76 thousand tons per year to 128 thousand tons per year. As a result of the reconstruction, the energy component in the cost of manufactured products will also be reduced, and the opportunity to produce new grades of polyethylene and reduce waste will appear. Serial production of products using the updated equipment is planned to begin in mid-2011. Currently, the plant is carrying out a number of other equipment reconstruction projects. For example, the reconstruction of the demethanization unit is underway, which is necessary to increase the unit's throughput to 38 tons per hour of pyrogas and reduce ethylene losses with the methane-hydrogen fraction. In addition, the vacuum evaporation system facilities are being modernized for evaporating an aqueous solution of sodium thiocyanate in the production of acrylic fiber nitron-S. The plant also plans to build its own power generation units, which will reduce the energy component in the cost of products. The Novopolotsk enterprise Polimir was founded in 1968 and is one of the largest producers in the chemical industry of Belarus. It manufactures high-pressure polyethylene, acrylic fibers, organic synthesis and small-tonnage chemistry products, textile auxiliaries, hydrocarbon fractions, and consumer goods. By the decision of the joint meeting of shareholders in November 2008, Polimir was merged with Naftan OJSC. -0-