(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 />
Since <strong>the</strong> chemicals are added on a stoichiometric basis, <strong>the</strong> chemical costs can be considerable<br />
when decomposing concentrated solutions <strong>of</strong> hypochlorite. In addition, to facilitate <strong>the</strong> reaction,<br />
sufficient residence time is required and excess chemical is used to ensure full reaction.<br />
Disposal <strong>of</strong> waste water streams with excess reducing agent can be a problem because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
high load <strong>of</strong> COD (chemical oxygen demand) [Kelly, 1998].<br />
Environmental per<strong>for</strong>mance and operational data<br />
The efficiency <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reaction depends on <strong>the</strong> amount and type <strong>of</strong> chemical used. In general,<br />
chemical reduction can reduce <strong>the</strong> concentration <strong>of</strong> free oxidants to levels < 0.5 mg/l [ 3, Euro<br />
<strong>Chlor</strong> 2011 ]. The bleed from <strong>the</strong> brine circuit at a membrane cell plant contains 10 – 30 mg/l<br />
free oxidants and 1000 – 3500 mg/l chlorate after treatment with sodium sulphite in <strong>the</strong> brine<br />
treatment. A reduction efficiency <strong>of</strong> more than 95 % can be achieved, but depends mainly on <strong>the</strong><br />
amount <strong>of</strong> chemicals added.<br />
AkzoNobel in Bohus (Sweden) reports <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> hydrogen peroxide and a treatment efficiency<br />
<strong>of</strong> 95 %, <strong>the</strong> consumption <strong>of</strong> H2O2 being approximately 30 m 3 per year (100000 tonnes <strong>of</strong> Cl2<br />
capacity/year).<br />
Cross-media effects<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reducing agents require careful handling. Sulphur dioxide is classified as toxic.<br />
When using sodium sulphide, <strong>the</strong> pH <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> solution requires careful monitoring to avoid <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>of</strong> very toxic hydrogen sulphide. Hydrogen peroxide can be oxidising and<br />
irritant/corrosive depending on <strong>the</strong> concentration [ 76, Regulation EC/1272/2008 2008 ].<br />
Chemical reduction leads to <strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>mation <strong>of</strong> chloride and, depending on <strong>the</strong> reducing agent, to<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>mation <strong>of</strong> oxy sulphur compounds (<strong>for</strong> example SO4 2- ). The use <strong>of</strong> sodium sulphide leads<br />
to <strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>mation <strong>of</strong> elemental sulphur in <strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>m <strong>of</strong> very fine particles. The amount <strong>of</strong> products<br />
<strong>for</strong>med depends on <strong>the</strong> amount <strong>of</strong> free oxidants to be reduced.<br />
Any residual reducing agent in <strong>the</strong> effluent due to an overstoichiometric dosage increases <strong>the</strong><br />
chemical oxygen demand (COD) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> waste water [ 17, Dutch Ministry 1998 ]. Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
large number <strong>of</strong> chemical agents that may be used, this technique may increase <strong>the</strong> COD <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
waste water.<br />
Economics<br />
The cost <strong>of</strong> traditional chemical destruction <strong>of</strong> free oxidants is mainly <strong>the</strong> cost <strong>of</strong> chemicals.<br />
When <strong>the</strong> amount <strong>of</strong> free oxidants to be destroyed is low, chemical destruction might be <strong>the</strong><br />
cheapest is usually <strong>the</strong> least expensive option.<br />
Whenever large amounts <strong>of</strong> free oxidants have to be destroyed (<strong>for</strong> example, in bleach<br />
destruction), catalytic or <strong>the</strong>rmal destruction may be more economical [ 17, Dutch Ministry<br />
1998 ].<br />
Some economic data <strong>for</strong> chemical reduction with hydrogen peroxide are shown in<br />
Section 4.3.6.3.4.<br />
WORKING DRAFT IN PROGRESS<br />
Example plants<br />
Many plants use classic chemical reduction to remove free oxidants from <strong>the</strong> waste water<br />
streams. However, chemical costs and <strong>the</strong> production <strong>of</strong> oxy sulphur compounds may become a<br />
problem, especially in cases where large amounts <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>f-spec hypochlorite (bleach) have to be<br />
destroyed.<br />
<strong>Reference</strong> literature<br />
[ 1, Ullmann's 2006 ], [ 2, Le <strong>Chlor</strong>e 2002 ], [ 3, Euro <strong>Chlor</strong> 2011 ], [ 17, Dutch Ministry 1998 ],<br />
[ 76, Regulation EC/1272/2008 2008 ], [ 124, COM 2011 ], [ 207, Stitt et al. 2001 ] [Dutch<br />
report, 1998], [Le <strong>Chlor</strong>e, 1996]<br />
238 December 2011 TB/EIPPCB/CAK_Draft_1