Braskem awards Vichem thermal oxidizer upgrade contract

In April Vichem  was awarded a new contract by Brazilian chemical leader Braskem for the upgrade of their thermal oxidation plant for chlorinated waste on their Marechal Deodoro site close to Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.

The main purpose of the upgrade is to increase the capacity of the thermal oxidizer, while even further reducing the level of dioxins in the emissions, and to recover thermal energy through steam production. In order to meet these new requirements, Vichem is performing Basic and Detailed engineering studies, and will be supplying our patented Pulvaporizator, a furnace extension device, a water-tube boiler, and the absorption columns will also be upgraded.

After completion of the revamping works the unit will have the following characteristics:

• It will treat is 2200 kg per hour of chlorinated liquid VCM (Vinyl Chloride Monomer) waste.
• It will be recovering thermal energy by producing 7 tons per hour of saturated steam at 19 bar abs.
• It will recycle the chlorinated compound by producing HCl solution at 25% concentration.

Vichem is often requested to upgrade existing thermal oxidizers to improve the levels of emissions, mainly in terms of dioxins. Our specially designed and patented Pulvaporizator can be adapted onto existing incinerators, and we can perform studies to amend accordingly all downstream equipment when necessary. Energy recovery and the recycling of chlorinated/fluorinated compound can often also be enhanced.