(BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Chlor-alkali ...
(BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Chlor-alkali ...
(BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Chlor-alkali ...
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Chapter 4<br />
with PMX diaphragms. The Vulcan Chemicals plant personnel conducted a “make good”<br />
analysis after <strong>the</strong> complete conversion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir plant. They achieved <strong>the</strong> power cost savings as<br />
expected in <strong>the</strong>ir appropriation and reduced <strong>the</strong> chlorate content <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir caustic product and <strong>the</strong><br />
hydrogen content in <strong>the</strong> chlorine gas. Today Vulcan Chemicals maintains per<strong>for</strong>mance by using<br />
appropriate procedures on individual cells to reduce anolyte levels as necessary. They maintain<br />
<strong>the</strong> chlorate in caustic with occasional acid brine flushes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> complete circuit to remove<br />
accumulated brine impurities. The diaphragms achieve a life <strong>of</strong> more than three years and a cell<br />
liquor strength <strong>of</strong> 145 g/l. [Curlin]<br />
Hüls, Rheinfelden, Germany, operated <strong>for</strong> several years fully converted with PMX<br />
diaphragms be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>the</strong> plant was closed. [Dutch report, 1998]<br />
Elf Atochem in Fos sur Mer and in Lavera, both in France, are proceeding to full<br />
conversions <strong>of</strong> both sites. The conversions should be complete by 2002. The plant located in<br />
Fos sur Mer is equipped with OxyTech MDC-55 cells (chlorine capacity: 160 kt/y). The plant<br />
located in Lavera is equipped with OxyTech HC-4B (42 m 2 area) cells (chlorine capacity: 160<br />
kt/y).<br />
Many o<strong>the</strong>r plants, mainly in USA, have tested PMX diaphragms in one or more <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir cells<br />
and some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se cells are still operating, due to <strong>the</strong> long lifetime <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> PMX diaphragm.<br />
PPG’s Tephram Diaphragm<br />
PPG Natrium, West Virginia, USA: full-scale demonstration <strong>of</strong> Columbia N6 and OxyTech<br />
MDC-55 electrolysers.<br />
PPG Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA: full-scale demonstration <strong>of</strong> PPG’s GlanorV-1244<br />
electrolysers.<br />
On a trial basis, six plants outside <strong>of</strong> PPG are currently operating cells equipped with Tephram<br />
Diaphragms.<br />
Rhone Poulenc Chimie’s Asbestos Free Diaphragm<br />
<strong>Chlor</strong>Alp, Le Pont de Claix, Isère, France (chlorine capacity: 240 kt/y) is converting to<br />
asbestos-free diaphragms. In 1998 10% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hooker S3B cells in <strong>the</strong> industrial cell room were<br />
converted with this material; in 1999 30% were to have been converted; at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> 2000 60%<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> S3B and H4 cells were to have been converted and in 2001 <strong>the</strong> site will be fully equipped<br />
with Asbestos Free Diaphragms. [Perineau]<br />
<strong>Reference</strong> literature<br />
[ 1, Ullmann's 2006 ], [ 10, Kirk-Othmer 2002 ], [ 31, Euro <strong>Chlor</strong> 2010 ], [ 63, Euro <strong>Chlor</strong><br />
2010 ], [ 75, COM 2001 ], [ 118, Solvay 2011 ], [ 146, Arkema 2009 ], [ 212, Florkiewicz<br />
1997 ], [ 213, Florkiewicz and Curlin 1992 ], [ 214, Dilmore and DuBois 1995 ], [ 215, German<br />
Ministry 2011 ], [ 216, O'Brien et al. 2005 ], [ 217, PPG 2010 ], [ 218, Ahmed and Foller<br />
WORKING DRAFT IN PROGRESS<br />
2003 ], [ 219, Carbocloro 2008 ], [ 220, Polish Ministry 2011 ], [ 221, Florkiewicz 1998 ]<br />
[Curlin], [Dilmore-DuBois, 1995], [Dutch report, 1998], [Florkiewicz, 1997], [Florkiewicz-<br />
Curlin, 1991], [Foller et al, 1997], [Kuntzburger et al, 1995], [Perineau]<br />
178 December 2011 TB/EIPPCB/CAK_Draft_1