The Atlas Copco Gas and Process Division supplies air boosters for numerous air separation units (ASUs) within chemical production workflows. Known for their stable performance and excellent energy efficiency, Atlas Copco air boosters have earned a strong reputation across the industry.

One of our key clients, Satellite Chemical Co., Ltd., is a global leader in acrylic acid production and one of the few domestic manufacturers in China with a complete value chain for acrylic acid and esters, polymer emulsions, and functional polymers. For three 48,000 Nm³/h air separation units at Satellite Chemical’s Lianyungang petrochemical complex, Atlas Copco supplied high-performance air booster systems.

Role of the Air Booster in the ASU Process

After compression by the main air compressor, the air stream is purified via molecular sieve purification units, removing H₂O, CO₂, C₂H₂, and other impurities. The purified air then splits into two streams—one flows to the main heat exchanger, and the other enters the air booster.

From the intermediate stage of the booster, two critical air streams are extracted:

• One stream is routed as instrument air, eliminating the need for a separate instrument air compressor.
• The other stream is directed to the expander for refrigeration, providing the necessary cooling capacity for the ASU.

The final outlet air from the booster is further compressed in the expander’s booster stage before entering the lower column for air separation.

The oxygen produced by the ASU is used downstream for ethylene and other chemical processes, while the separated nitrogen is used plant-wide for inerting and purging operations. Just like the main air compressor, the air booster is a critical component of the ASU system.

Engineering Highlights of the Atlas Copco Air Booster

• Flexible Layout Design: The booster units are engineered with a freely configurable layout, allowing optimal adaptation to real-world site conditions and minimizing footprint.
• High-Efficiency Impellers: Atlas Copco’s signature fully closed impeller design, milled from solid billet, delivers superior aerodynamic efficiency.
• Optimized Gearbox Design: The customized gearboxes are designed for maximum mechanical efficiency, reducing the number of compression stages and associated auxiliary equipment, ultimately lowering both capital costs and space requirements—especially important in high-power installations.

Client Testimonial

“The air booster is one of the most critical units in our ASU. Equipment stability is our top priority—it determines the long-term uptime of the ASU and the reliability of downstream systems. The Atlas Copco booster has met our operational requirements.”
— Mr. Liu, Equipment Department, Satellite Chemical Lianyungang Petrochemical Plant