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

Chapter 4
Example plants
Kemira in Joutseno (Finland), chlorine capacity 75 kt/yr.
Reference literature
[ 57, EIPPCB 2011 ], [ 209, COM 2007 ]
4.3.6.5 Techniques to reduce emissions of halogenated organic
compounds
Description
These techniques consist in reducing the levels of organic contaminants in the brine in order to
diminish the formation of halogenated organic compounds.
Technical description
The formation of halogenated organic compounds in the brine system can be reduced by:
careful selection and control of salt and ancillary materials with respect to organic
impurities;
water purification by using techniques such as membrane filtration, ion exchange, UV
irradiation and adsorption on activated carbon;
careful selection of equipment such as cells, pipes, valves and pumps to reduce the
potential leaching of organic contaminants to the brine.
The levels of organic contaminants in the brine system are usually kept low in order to meet the
specifications of the equipment. This is especially true for the membrane cell technique where
the concentration of total organic carbon is usually required to be in the range of 1 – 10 ppm
(see Table 2.4).
End-of-pipe techniques to reduce emissions of halogenated organic compounds are very rarely
used.
{Please TWG provide more information.}
Achieved environmental benefits
The achieved environmental benefit of these techniques is a reduction of emissions of
halogenated organic compounds.
Environmental performance and operational data
Current emission levels of halogenated organic compounds at the outlet of the electrolysis unit
are presented in Section 3.4.2.3.7.
Cross-media effects
A change of the salt source may lead to higher overall energy consumption and emissions if the
transport distance increases. Additional purification steps for salt, water or ancillary materials
may lead to additional consumption of energy and ancillary materials and to generation of
additional waste.
WORKING DRAFT IN PROGRESS
Technical considerations relevant to applicability
Generally, there are no technical restrictions to the applicability of these techniques.
Economics
{Please TWG provide information.}
Driving force for implementation
The driving forces for implementation of these techniques include:
250 December 2011 TB/EIPPCB/CAK_Draft_1