On August 25th at 11:16 AM, the66,000 Nm3/h air separation unitat the power plant of Southwest Copper Industry's relocation project roared to life as its integrated air booster compression unit began operation. The successful startup of the air separation unit marks a crucial milestone in the project's construction, signaling that the oxygen production station is now entering the "fast lane" toward operational readiness.

With the strong attention and support from leaders at all levels, and through the close collaboration of Yunnan Copper, Southwest Copper, participating contractors, equipment suppliers, and technology providers, the project team overcame numerous challenges—including overlapping on-site operations, rainy-season construction difficulties, and limited site conditions. By mobilizing an experienced construction and commissioning team that worked relentlessly, the ASU achieved timely oxygen production, laying a solid foundation for feeding the smelting system.

The66,000 Nm³/h ASUsupplies oxygen and nitrogen totop-blown converters, side-blown furnaces, and Kaldo furnaces, while also producing liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, liquid argon, and medical oxygen. The system is equipped with dedicated liquid storage tanks and cryogenic liquid filling units. The main equipment features aSiemens air booster integrated compressorwith an impeller diameter of two meters. The unit boasts safety, reliability, high efficiency, and energy savings, making it a critical component of the oxygen station. The ASU incorporates advanced technologies, including a multi-layer bath-type main heat exchanger, large-scale low-profile high-efficiency column internals, structured packing for upper and lower towers, cold box steel structure load-bearing and limit-state design, and vertical radial flow molecular sieves. On the automation side, the plant uses anAPC advanced process control systemto achieve automatic load adjustment, one-click equipment startup, and automated liquid filling. For safety, it is equipped with anSIS system for major liquid oxygen storage hazardsand an automatic spray system, ensuring both cutting-edge technology and operational safety.

Going forward, the Southwest Copper Power Plant will continue to uphold the principle that “builders are producers, and producers are builders.”The team will organize and cooperate efficiently to complete molecular sieve activation, unit purging, and commissioning/start-up of expanders and process liquid pumps. According to the project schedule, qualified oxygen products will be delivered on time. By continuously pushing limits and embodying the“Three Unbeliefs”spirit, the project team strives to build aworld-class ASUcharacterized by the highest level of new technology application, top-grade equipment configuration, shortest construction period, the fastest installation and commissioning, most stable trial runs, and the optimal oxygen production efficiency.