Project Overview
On December 6, 2023, in Guangrao City, Shandong Province, Silverstone Industrial (SIND), in partnership with the Hefei General Machinery Research Institute, commissioned a Grade 1 energy-efficient compressed air station at Shandong Dechen Energy Co., Ltd. The project demonstrates SIND’s commitment to delivering high-efficiency compressed air solutions that support energy conservation, sustainable industrial development, and improved production efficiency.
Shandong Dechen Energy is a petrochemical deep-processing enterprise with an annual n-butane isomerization capacity of 500,000 tons, approximately 62,000 m³ of liquefied gas storage capacity, and liquefied gas import and export operations. In line with China’s Dual-Carbon strategy, the company conducted a comprehensive technical and commercial evaluation of multiple suppliers before selecting SIND to modernize its compressed air station and significantly improve its energy performance.
Core Equipment
SIND replaced the original 2013 fixed-speed twin-screw compressor system with a right-sized, high-efficiency compressed air solution integrating two-stage centrifugal compressors, energy-efficient drying systems, air receivers, separators, filtration, and intelligent condensate management.
The new system utilizes two-stage centrifugal compressors with PM-VSD technology to provide efficient base-load and trim air for demanding petrochemical processes. Energy-saving frequency-controlled refrigerated dryers provide cooling capacity matched to the actual operating load, while zero-air-loss regenerative adsorption dryers maintain a stable pressure dew point without unnecessarily consuming compressed air. The system also incorporates dedicated air receivers, separators, three-stage filtration, and zero-air-loss electronic drains to minimize pressure losses, protect air quality, and improve overall system efficiency.
The compressor station was designed and evaluated in accordance with TCGMA 033001-2018, the applicable energy-efficiency classification benchmark for compressed air stations. This represented a significant improvement over the original station, which had been assessed at Grade 5 efficiency.
Measured Results
Third-party testing confirmed that the upgraded SIND compressed air station achieved Grade 1 energy-efficiency performance, delivering measurable improvements in both system efficiency and operating costs. The station achieved an average air delivery of 62.4 m³/min, an average outlet pressure of 0.688 MPa, and an average pressure dew point of -43°C. Overall station-specific energy consumption was measured at 0.105 kW/m³, while comprehensive input power efficiency increased from 34% to 52%.
The retrofit resulted in an overall 37.87% reduction in energy consumption, saving approximately 2.057 million kWh of electricity annually and reducing operating costs by approximately USD 143,990 per year.
Compared with the original 2013 installation, consisting of four 132 kW fixed-speed twin-screw compressors operating at 0.8 MPa, the SIND solution increased comprehensive input power efficiency from 34% to 52%. This exceeded the 50.5% Grade 1 efficiency threshold and demonstrated the substantial energy-saving potential achieved through equipment modernization, appropriate system sizing, and optimized compressed air management.
FAQ
The 2013 station — four 132 kW fixed-speed twin-screw compressors running at 0.8 MPa and previously assessed at Grade 5 efficiency — was replaced with a Grade 1 energy-efficient station built around a two-stage centrifugal compressor and matched drying, filtration and draining equipment. Comprehensive input power efficiency rose from 34% to 52%, exceeding the 50.5% Grade 1 threshold of TCGMA 033001-2018.
The upgraded station delivered an average air delivery of 62.4 m³/min at an average outlet pressure of 0.688 MPa, with an average pressure dew point of -43°C and station-specific energy consumption of 0.105 kW/m³. Overall energy consumption fell by 37.87%, saving about 2.057 million kWh and roughly USD 143,990 in operating costs per year.
Shandong Dechen Energy is a petrochemical deep-processing enterprise with an annual n-butane isomerization capacity of 500,000 tons and about 62,000 m³ of liquefied gas storage. Aligned with China’s Dual-Carbon strategy, the company ran a comprehensive technical and commercial evaluation of multiple suppliers before selecting SIND, with the Hefei General Machinery Research Institute as partner on the project.
Frequency-controlled refrigerated dryers match cooling capacity to the actual load, while zero-air-loss regenerative adsorption dryers hold a stable pressure dew point without purging compressed air. Air receivers, separators, three-stage filtration and zero-air-loss electronic drains further minimize pressure losses and protect air quality.
