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(BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Chlor-alkali ...

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Chapter 4<br />

Solid<br />

salt<br />

Brine<br />

resaturation<br />

Secondary<br />

dechlorination<br />

Purification I<br />

<strong>Chlor</strong>ine<br />

processing<br />

Brine circuit<br />

Primary<br />

Dechlorination<br />

Fine<br />

purification II<br />

Power supply<br />

Cell room<br />

building<br />

Caustic<br />

soda<br />

circulation<br />

Hydrogen<br />

processing<br />

Caustic<br />

Evaporation<br />

units that have to be added <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> conversion from <strong>the</strong> mercury to <strong>the</strong> membrane<br />

cell technique<br />

Source: [ 211, Dibble and White 1988 ] Based on [Dibble-White, 1988]<br />

Figure 4.1: Mercury cell plant conversion to a membrane cell plant technology<br />

50 wt-%<br />

liquid<br />

caustic<br />

soda<br />

The main changes to an existing plant when converting from <strong>the</strong> mercury to <strong>the</strong> membrane cell<br />

technique technology include:<br />

1. The brine system<br />

The main concern is <strong>the</strong> purity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> brine feed to <strong>the</strong> existing cell room system. As mentioned<br />

in Chapter 2 Section 2.5.3, membrane cells electrolysers need purer brine than do mercury cells.<br />

Practical experience has experiences have shown that <strong>the</strong> mercury brine system can be reused<br />

after a careful cleaning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole system [ 211, Dibble and White 1988 ]. demercurisation<br />

and a careful clean-out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole system. The brine has to be drained out and <strong>the</strong> whole<br />

system has to be cleaned to remove impurities, deposits and solubilise mercury to recover it.<br />

For good per<strong>for</strong>mance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> membrane cells, a secondary brine purification step must also be<br />

added, usually using ion exchange units. In most cases it is also necessary to add a polishing<br />

filtration step to remove particles from <strong>the</strong> brine [ 232, Euro <strong>Chlor</strong> 2010 ]. Some materials, such<br />

as rubber linings, plastics and gasket materials containing calcium and magnesium, may need to<br />

be changed to avoid contamination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ion exchange unit [ 211, Dibble and White 1988 ].<br />

Additional brine treatment units to remove or reduce <strong>the</strong> levels <strong>of</strong> sulphate, chlorate and iodine<br />

may be necessary depending on <strong>the</strong> site [ 232, Euro <strong>Chlor</strong> 2010 ].<br />

WORKING DRAFT IN PROGRESS<br />

A new high-per<strong>for</strong>mance brine dechlorination facility is required to reduce <strong>the</strong> residual chlorine<br />

to levels below those which could deactivate <strong>the</strong> ion exchange resins <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> secondary brine<br />

purification step. Generally, ei<strong>the</strong>r chemical reduction using sodium sulphite (<strong>for</strong> example<br />

Solvay in Jemeppe, Belgium), catalytic reduction or activated carbon adsorption are is used,<br />

depending on <strong>the</strong> type <strong>of</strong> salt and <strong>the</strong> overall economics [ 211, Dibble and White 1988 ].<br />

There is a difference in <strong>the</strong> water balance between membrane and mercury <strong>the</strong> brine circuits <strong>of</strong><br />

mercury and membrane cell plants (see Section 4.3.2.3.7). There is also a difference in mass<br />

flow rates, <strong>the</strong> brine recirculation being higher in mercury cell plants than in membrane cell<br />

148 December 2011 TB/EIPPCB/CAK_Draft_1

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