UK compression

One of the largest reciprocating compressors ever built will be included in the equipment that GE's oil and gas business is supplying to Huntsman Petrochemicals (UK) for a new facility in northeastern England.

Located at Wilton Centre in the Redcar/Cleveland region and based on technology licensed from ExxonMobil Chemical, the new facility will produce low-density polyethylene (LDPE) for use in packaging and will be the largest plant of its kind in the world.

GE will provide a 33MW hyper-compressor train that, in addition to including one of the largest compressors of its type in the world, will operate at a delivery pressure in excess of 3000 bar, approaching the highest delivery pressures used in the petrochemical industry.

The 231RPM, type 20PK/2 hyper-compressor train will consist of 20 cylinders, two stages and two crankcases separated by a 33MW synchronous electric motor.

The GE contract also includes the supply of a booster-primary reciprocating 8HG/4-2 compressor with discharge pressure in excess of 300 bar, spare parts, and engineering activities including plant piping acoustic simulation and mechanical analysis, capabilities for which GE's oil and gas business is recognized worldwide.

The equipment will be manufactured at GE's oil and gas facilities in Florence, Italy and shipped to the project site in the third quarter of 2006. The new plant, with a production rate of 400,000 tons per year of LDPE, will begin commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Huntsman Petrochemicals is part of the US-based Huntsman Corporation, the world's largest privately owned chemical company.