Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant Renovates Oxygen Station 2

26.03.2015 Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant named after B. V. Kolesnikov (MMC Norilsk Nickel Polar Division) goes ahead with replacements of soon expiring air separation products capacities and compressor equipment. Due to the fact that a part of the1979-commissioned air separation units (ASU) and compressor equipment are being retired on schedule, there arose long-felt need in the equipment scheduled replacement. Oxygen Station 2 located at the Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant site operates a total of five units. The plan is to replace one of the air separation units of a 30 000 m3/h capacity approaching end of service life with a modern air separation plant of a 40 000 m3/h capacity. Besides, the concurrent plan is to replace 3 air compressors with air throughput of over 100 000 m3/h each (currently 19 such units are being operated). with one of the air separation units with a 30 000 m3/h capacity approaching end of service life. The unit will be swapped with a modern air separation unit with a higher, 40 000 m3/h capacity with a concurrent replacement of 3 air compressors with air throughput of over 100 000 m3/h each (currently 19 such units are on-line). Current process oxygen needs of the Polar Division are being met with two oxygen stations. Their aggregate capacity is approximately 160 000 m3/h. Smelters and electrowinning units are the principal end users of oxygen at Nadezhdna Metallurgical and Copper Plants. An incremental reconstruction in 2006 comprised commissioning of air separation plant (ASP) 3, which replaced air separation unit 3 (ASU 3). In 2010 ASP 2 replaced ASU 3. The current project will have ASU 1 replaced with ASP 1. The new unit height exceeds 21 m. At this stage design documentation is going through validation and approvals, preparations for state expert review of design documentation are currently in progress. Russian JSC “Cryogenmash” is the general contractor for design and construction of the entire facility. As per the contract, the new equipment is to be commissioned in the 4th quarter of 2016. Total cost of the project exceeds 2 billion rubles. Introduction of new capacities at oxygen station 2 of Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant will substantially enhance reliability of air separation products (process oxygen and nitrogen) delivery to Polar Division metallurgical divisions,” – informs the Press Service of OJSC "MMC Norilsk Nickel ".