Process Innovation
GC has focused on developing innovative production processes to enhance efficiency and environmental friendliness by leveraging technology and innovation to improve manufacturing. This aims to reduce costs, increase returns, and optimize resource utilization, as well as minimize waste emissions from the system.
The examples of the process innovation projects are as follows.
Furnace Management
GC has developed the Furnace Optimization Model by applying the Advance Analytic (AA) principle to increase production efficiency of Olefin crackers and to extend the furnace run length. This is achieved by ensuring the appropriate adjustments of the furnace as well as modifying feedstock and product portfolio to maximize margins according to the current market situation.
Fouling Prediction and Preventive Treatment for Quench System by Digital Technology
GC has analyzed the principal cause of fouling in the quench system of the olefins plant in order to innovate a digital technology that predicts and prevents fouling in the production process. This technology contributed to lowering chemical consumption in the production process by 7.3 tons per. Morever,
the project provides a cost-saving of up to
million baht per year
GC will introduce this technology to other production lines to adopt this technology.
Heat Exchanger Efficiency Improvement by Chemical Cleaning Technology
GC, in collaboration with external parties, has developed a cleaning innovation for the heat exchanger in the aromatics plant which replaces the current physical cleaning procedures with chemical cleaning. This innovative technology has increased the efficiency of the heat exchanger by 15 percent and has, consequently, reduced heat exchanger-related expenses by over 5 million baht per year. With this new technology, the lifetime of the heat exchanger has been extended by over 50 percent of the total usage period, due to simplification of the disassembly process, which reduces the risks of chemical exposure.
Upgrading LCB OLE to Raw Pygas/Pygas
GC has streamlined our production process by using advanced separation technology to remove contaminants, such as sulfur and starch, from Light Cracker Bottom (LCB), which possesses a chemical composition similar to Raw Pyrolysis Gasoline, or Pygas, used as raw material in aromatics production. The project targets to uplift and increase the product’s economic value. GC anticipates that this project will raise revenue by 71 million baht per year and EBITDA by 57 million baht per year. Following the completion of its trial in the pilot plant in 2024, GC will begin commercial construction in 2025 and commercial operation in 2026. Furthermore, GC has plans to expand this concept to other products
Visbreaker Unit Optimization Model: Phase 3
GC has further developed the Visbreaker Unit Optimization Model by adopting Machine Learning principle to enhance visbreaker process efficiency and identify the optimum condition during crude oil change. As a result, the yield of high-value products increased by 0.1% per year while EBITDA is expected to grow by up to 11.4 million baht per year. The development of this model has been finalized in an offline format and became operational in August 2024. In the future, GC will take further steps to improve this system in order to maximize yields.
BPA Tar Cracking for Phenol Recovery Project
GC has applied a catalyst to enhance the cracking condition of BPA tar, which is waste generated in BPA production process, to obtain and reuse phenol as raw material in BPA production. This resulted in the reduction of raw material consumption and waste generation in the production process. The process began its commercial use in 2024. GC also plans to study the feasibility of improving the production unit to increase phenol production in the future. This project is expected to generate a revenue of 9.34 million baht per year and uplift EBITDA by 9.34 million baht per year.