THERMAL PROCESS INTEGRATION FOR DEBOTTLENECKING

Productora de PVC, Altamira, Tamps.

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PROJECT
Increment of production capacity

DESCRIPTION
The process of production of PVC is carried out in batch reactors at constant temperature. The heat that produces the polymerization reaction is eliminated using chilled water to maintain constant temperature.
The heat exchanger network is integrated by jackets, baffles and reflux condensers.

PROBLEM
It was required to increast was the bottlenecking of the process.

SOLUTION
A thermal diagnosis indicated that the installed capacity of refrigeration was 25 bigger% to the one required.
A methodology to characterize the reactors – baffles, jackets and condensers- were developed. This allowed to detect inefficiencies in the use of the refrigeration system. This evaluation helped to conclude that it was possible to increase 25% of capacity without investing in an additional reactor and using the capacity of installed refrigeration more efficiently.

IMPLEMENTATIONS
It was required to change some existent pipes for others of more diameter to make a better redistribution of the flows of chilled water in such a way that the capacity of removal of heating was substantially increased by increasing the heat transfer coefficient of the system. The required investment was 300,000 USD.
BENEFITS
It was possible to increase 25% the production capacity.
More efficient use of refrigeration system.
Increasing of utilities in 3,000,000 USD/year.

Operation: September 1998

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