Document RJqgX7kr7jL4DKKo9L5pKwoqz

J. R. savage - St. Louis October 2J, 1970 FRACTIONATED AROCLOR Hr. P. MacDonald Mr. D. Danna (Jir^ R McCutchan Newport WOK Plant Mr. R.L.K. Wltherldge Newport We do not presently fractionate Aroclor anywhere. However, design Is In progress to install a fractionator at Krummrlch Plant to remove higher chlorinated biphenyls. The resulting product Is presently named MCS-1016. Our motive Is to eliminate the components most persistent In the environment and In food chains, although there Is evidence that we will see some improvement In stability. I recently suggested to E. V. Weakes that we should begin preparation of a project scope for a similar fractionator at Newport. He agreed and asked that 1 send the Research Report and our scope to Pred MacDonald, so that work could begin on this at Newport. I have done so and this information Is all that we presently have formalised, although we can certainly answer any questions you might have. We have made semi-commercial quantities of MCS-1016, and customers are now testing it. To susamrlse the design parameters, this will be a 30 plate sieve tray column running at 4:1 reflux in the first half and 6:1 In the last half of a chain-feed run. Peed will be crude Aroclor 1142. I don't know what led you to believe that Anniston fractionates, but on a guess (hope.') that you are looking for ways to Improve stability, here Is sosm background. I realize that Newport has been working this art a long time but perhaps I will mention something you haven't considered. A. Pactors known to affect stability 1. Catalyst concentration. This is well-known, but we have found that catalyst activity can be lost by failure to mix well Into the batch or by catalyst killing contaminants, notably sulfuric acid. Pree Cl* In off-gas Is a symptom. 2. Low chlorination temperature. Krummrlch has demonstrated better stability If chlorine is not added below 150*C. This does lead to some biphenyl carryover in the off-gas early In the batch. Temperature should be Increased during the cycle. MONS 098736 I page s y. Bromine in chlorine. Kroiaarlch has doouaented ths aaount of broalns (about 100 ppa) that Is tolsrabls. Broalns night bs found In chlorln# aada froa solar salt or low grads KC1. 4. Contaminants. You havs recently dsmonstratsd ths offset of PVC. Ths list Is sndlsss, but lubricating oil froa puap stuffing boxss or ths air compressor that suppllss ths blowing opsratlon sosas most likely. B. Paotors believed or suspected to affect stability 1. Highly chlorinated biphenyls. Kruamrlch's big Improvement In stability oolnolded with conversion from batch to multi-stage continuous. In theory, the batoh system should give a more narrow hoaolog distribution than a backalxed staged system. However, 4 stages Is a pretty close approach to plug flow. In the batoh system, a substantial part of the batch Is left In the ohlcrlnator when It is pumped out, held up on the pecking and In circulating piping. It then mlxee with the next batch and Is chlorinated further. 2. Porooel vs batch earth treatment. This change also oolnolded with the Improvement at Kruamrloh, and some people believe It to be the reason. I don't. y. Distillation technique. Our plant people Imre seen muoh evldenoe that distilling too rapidly or attainting to recover too much from the Nontar leads to poor stability (which seems to correlate with oolor). Both plants use entrainment separators in the still vapor lines which seem to give a plate or two of fractionation. 4. Type of lime used. There are two kinds of lime available In the 0.3. , depending on the kind of kiln used. The kind called "vertical hydrate" seems much more active In dehydro-chlorinating addition compounds. 5. Heohanleal configuration of chlorlnator. Much talk and some money has been expended on better ohlorlne distribution, larger circulating pumps, shapes of Iron packing, etc. No unequivocal benefits have been demonstrated. J. R savage MQNS 098 73