Accelerating the Development of New-Generation Productive Forces: This is What Chinese Air Separation Technology Experts Say

May 30 of this year marks the eighth “National Day for Science and Technology Workers.” In the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping encouraged science and technology workers to “speed up the achievement of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength.” Since its establishment more than 40 years ago, China Air Separation has consistently put science and technology first, deeply focused on its core business, and continuously driven the company’s development through technological innovation. On the journey of holding fast to our technological frontiers and accelerating the formation of new-quality productive forces, China Air Separation’s science and technology workers have this to say:

On May 28, the main event for the 2024 National Science and Technology Workers’ Day was held at the Zhejiang University Hangzhou International Science and Technology Innovation Center in Hangzhou. The theme of the event was “Carry forward the spirit of scientists and take the lead in achieving high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength.” During the event, Lu Qi, Chief Engineer of the company, General Manager of the Chemical Engineering Company, and Director of the Hangzhou Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Engineering Research Center, was interviewed as a representative and expert among science and technology talents.

Lu Qi, Chief Engineer of China Air Separation and General Manager of the Chemical Engineering Company

Lu Qichang discussed how to develop new-quality productivity and lead social innovation and development. He stated that young science and technology professionals, as the driving force behind scientific and technological innovation, should actively embrace our mission and play our part, contributing our strength to scientific progress and social development. Cultivating new-quality productivity is a crucial issue for current economic development. As science and technology workers, we must leverage digital technologies—such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics—to empower the traditional chemical industry, enabling automation and intelligentization of production processes and accelerating the transition toward smart manufacturing. We should also develop green chemical technologies and carbon-neutral technologies, continuously promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable development. Furthermore, we need to strengthen the training and recruitment of high-end talent, building a team of highly qualified science and technology professionals. Finally, we must foster the integration of the chemical industry with cutting-edge technologies like information technology and artificial intelligence, creating a new type of industrial ecosystem.

Miao Zhangzhen, Process Technology Manager at Gas Engineering Company

As a member of China Air Separation, I’m deeply proud of the company’s outstanding contributions to the new energy sector—particularly our pivotal role in air separation technology, wind and solar power generation, and energy storage technologies, which have significantly enhanced energy utilization efficiency. We continuously invest in R&D and innovation around this core technology, successfully filing numerous invention and utility model patents and driving breakthroughs in businesses such as air separation nitrogen generators. I’ve come to deeply appreciate the boundless opportunities brought about by technological transformation, and throughout my involvement in various projects, I’ve kept learning and growing. Looking ahead, I’ll remain even more committed to fulfilling the responsibilities and mission of a science and technology professional. Grounded in my current position, I’ll continue to promote scientific and technological innovation and contribute to accelerating the company’s development of new-quality productivity.

Jiang Wei, Deputy General Manager of the Energy Engineering Company

I joined China Air Separation in 2011 with the dream of becoming a seasoned research and technology expert in the industry. In the field of cryogenic tank design, my design team and I have continuously pursued innovation and breakthroughs—from liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, LNG, ethylene, ethane, propane, and butane to liquid ammonia; from single-tank designs and all-metal tanks to prestressed concrete full-containment tanks; and from tanks ranging from 20,000 cubic meters, 50,000 cubic meters, 80,000 cubic meters to 120,000 cubic meters. We have achieved full coverage of media in the cryogenic sector and comprehensive coverage of commonly used tank types. To date, we have obtained three invention patents and seven utility model patents, and published four academic papers. Large-scale cryogenic storage tanks are currently the key core equipment in petrochemical cryogenic storage. I will continue to drive technological innovation in cryogenic tank design, further develop new quality productivity, enhance the company’s industry competitiveness, and promote the sustained growth and expansion of our business.

Zhao Chongqi, Process Design Engineer at an Environmental Engineering Company

Since joining the company, I have participated in the design and implementation of several large-scale wastewater treatment projects. I have also spearheaded research and development efforts that have resulted in multiple patents in the fields of “high-concentration COD, high-salt wastewater, and polyester wastewater treatment,” filling several technological gaps within the company. In recent years, to accelerate the development of new-quality productivity and support the expansion of the company’s water business, I have continuously intensified my research into combined processes for treating high-salt chemical wastewater. I’ve summarized and developed a modular pre-treatment process package with switchable operating modes, which boasts high integration, minimal land footprint, and excellent reliability—addressing customers’ challenges related to limited available land, while significantly reducing both capital investment and operational costs. Looking ahead, I hope to take the opportunity presented by the Sumida Young Science and Technology Innovation Platform to continue diligently honing my expertise in wastewater treatment technologies and contributing to the company’s high-quality development.

Wang Shuyong, Assistant to the Director of the Safety Production Department (Technical Quality Department)

As a technology management executive, I have been continuously strengthening the company’s innovation ecosystem, stimulating innovative and creative vitality across all business segments, and driving efforts to tackle key technological challenges. We have established an innovation management model characterized by “the company taking the lead, engineering companies serving as primary drivers, and departments providing essential support.” In recent years, I have witnessed the company’s remarkable achievements in the field of technology: we have successively established multiple R&D platforms, including the Hangzhou Engineering Center, the R&D Center, and the Technology Center; undertaken numerous research projects under Zhejiang Province’s key R&D programs such as the “Vanguard” and “Leading Goose” initiatives; received more than ten science and technology (engineering) awards, including the Zhejiang Provincial Science and Technology Award; and obtained over 40 intellectual property rights, including invention patents. These technological achievements will undoubtedly accelerate the company’s transition toward forming new-quality productivity and help it move forward as a technology-driven engineering enterprise.

In the future, China Air Separation will continue to accelerate the promotion of scientific and technological innovation, using technological innovation as a new engine for development, driving the creation of new-quality productivity, building differentiated core competitiveness, and striving to open up a new chapter of high-quality development for the company!

Salute the spirit of craftsmanship!

Salute the spirit of innovation!

Salute to every remarkable tech professional!