Document 6wReE8BjRpN9p7OqqKvYdDa33

(conoco) Interoffice Communication To W. E. Taber From G. C. Bottoms Date January 21, 1983 Subject VCM MODERNIZATION PROJECT The process conversion from air to oxygen feed in the oxychlorination section of the VCM plant results in substantially less "by-products" in the ethylene dichloride (EDC). One of these, carbon tetrachloride (CC1.), is thought to act as a cracking promoter in the conversion of EDC to VCM. There is no definitive information as to exactly what level of CCl^ will be in the oxygen based EDC, or what level is required to reach desired cracking efficiency in the heaters. This information can only be acquired after startup of the modernized plant. If, as PED suspects, the CC1. levels are low, the potential impact on operating costs is4large. The following examples illustrate this point: 1. At full plant rates, the production loss could run from 480M to 1,310M lbs/month. With a gross margin of 3.94C/lb this equates to a loss in revenue of $18.9M to $51.6M per month. 2. At 1.8MM Ibs/day rate, the losses amount to $7.2M to $21.3M per month. PED has completed a Class A process design for the addition of necessary CCl^ injection into the process if required. This is a relatively simple project involving one (1) drum, its foundation, minimal connecting piping, and some instrumentation. Total Cost with CED design, is estimated as $110,000. To expedite the installation if required, the modernization project has funded design and installation of necessary piping tie-ins during the upcoming turnaround. However, Chemicals* management has agreed the cost of the remainder of the work may be separately AFE*d when found necessary. It appears prudent that we proceed with mechanical design of the work up to the point of committing orders for equipment. This approach would save about three (3) months should CC1. injection be required. It is currently estimated a decision can be made in early August 1983 on the necessity of such an addition. 000016665 CCR VCM MODERNIZATION PROJECT January 21, 1983 Page 2 I am asking your help to complete the design work in-house by this date. Please consider this request and let me have your response. GarrelliC. Bottoms GCBA/jn Copies to: G. W. Inbody G. J. Fryar D. S. Huber J. G. Cole P. F. Fetizanan CCR 000016666