Carbon fiber is often called 'black gold,' and precursor production is the 'first gate' determining its performance. Recently, a scientific achievement appraisal for a 5000-tonne DMSO dry-jet wet-spinning high-performance PAN precursor complete equipment and process was held in Shaoxing, Zhejiang. The overall technology was recognized as internationally advanced, with DMSO recovery steam consumption and polymerization kettle temperature uniformity leading globally. This event goes beyond a routine appraisal—it signifies China's shift from 'following' to 'leading' in high-end carbon fiber precursor equipment.
Technical Breakthroughs and Industrial Coordinates
Precursor quality directly determines carbon fiber's tensile strength, modulus, and other core properties. Equipment and process limitations have long constrained China's autonomy in high-end carbon fiber. The appraised project, jointly developed by Jinggong Technology, Zhejiang Huachuang Carbon Fiber Technology (provincial manufacturing innovation center operator), Donghua University, and Zhejiang University of Technology, took two years of concentrated research. Core breakthroughs span four dimensions:
- A 60m³ large-capacity high-uniformity polymerization reactor with precise temperature control, achieving ±0.4°C uniformity.
- Multi-stage symmetrical pressure equalization, reducing high-viscosity PAN dope end-pressure deviation to ±1% and spinneret pressure fluctuation to 1‰.
- DMSO solvent classified collection and purification, with recovery rate ≥99.5% and steam consumption ≤2.2 t/t.
- MOM intelligent production management system enabling visual process, traceable quality, manageable equipment, and controllable energy consumption.
These figures represent systematic solutions to engineering scale-up challenges. High-viscosity polymerization systems' heat transfer lag and local mixing deficiencies—once industry-wide bottlenecks—are now effectively addressed through special stirring and scraper synergistic structures, plus jacket hot water and coil cold water heat exchange systems.
Transmission Effects on the Supply Chain
For upstream equipment makers, this achievement provides a replicable 'standard answer' for domestic precursor production lines. Previously, high-end precursor equipment relied on imports—costly, with long lead times and limited after-sales support. Now, mature domestic equipment lowers investment barriers for precursor producers, shortens plant construction cycles, and boosts total carbon fiber capacity.
For downstream users, precursor quality stability is a prerequisite for batch application. With process speeds of 280 m/min and capacity of 5000 tonnes/year, coupled with precise temperature and pressure control, carbon fiber consistency will improve significantly, encouraging aerospace, wind turbine blades, and pressure vessels to increase domestic carbon fiber usage.
Moreover, efficient DMSO recovery (≥99.5%, purity 99.88%) reduces production costs and environmental burden. Lower solvent consumption means reduced chemical costs per tonne of precursor and less waste liquid treatment pressure—a model for green manufacturing under 'dual carbon' goals.
The Demonstrative Value of Industry-Academia Collaboration
This project exemplifies a typical industry-academia-research model: enterprise-led, university-supported, and innovation center-operated. Donghua University and Zhejiang University of Technology's fundamental research in polymerization mechanisms and fluid dynamics, combined with Jinggong's engineering capabilities, enabled rapid transformation of laboratory results into industrial equipment. This model deserves promotion across broader material fields, especially during critical stages of high-end equipment localization.
Notably, the project went from initiation to appraisal in just two years—far more efficient than industry norms. This stems from clear division of labor and efficient coordination, offering a replicable sample for other 'bottleneck' technology breakthroughs.