Document RjLm7XrK6mKxR0d4xm0DmVQOz

Mr. J V. Waggoner - 2 September 15, 1958 This problem is not exactly new as we have had some previous customer complaints about particles In our VCM, although they were claimed to be mist and possibly dirt rather than polymer. Our Springfield plant also recently complained that five cars shipped between the dates of August 6 and August 12 had a sludge In them which could possibly lead to processing trouble if It continued. The solution to this problem would seem to be that filters should be Installed In our plant loading lines and possibly that cars suspected or found to contain particles at present should be cleaned. DMB:rf D. M. Brown CBY L1I187? RSV0031137 cc: W. E. Alexander/Chamberlin R. D. Dunlop - St. Louis H. K. Eckert A. G. Ex*dman - Springfield J. S. Putnari/Neville R. J. Schats/Hunter/F.esearch File R. H. Schlattman H. M. Walker N. F. Wood/Romeril/Earnheart/ Duhon/Malnt. Central Files A. E. Withrow J. C. Wrobleski W. F. Ziirnnermann VCM PRES Board MONSANTO CHEMICAL COMPANY Texas City, Texas MINUTES OF VCE COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEETING Number 83 August 21, 1958 Present: Members B. H. Hartzog G. T. Ryan x. T. E. Shirley W. F. Yates Visitors L. B. Bullock H. M. Keating J. W. Kongable G. L. Wofford Yellow VCM A decrease in the severity of the VCM color problem was noted during July. Insspection by the Springfield control laboratory showed water-white VCM in 23 of the 24 tank cars received over a 10-day period. The other car contained "very slightly yellow' material. This improvement is attributed to Production efforts in controlling HC1 in the VCM purification Bystem. Research studies had shown that anhydrous HC1 Increases the solubility of iron salts in VCM with yellow coloration resulting. The Committee feels that no money should be spent on additional VCM cleanup unt!3 it is demonstrated that HC1 cannot be controlled in the existing equipment. The plans are to continue careful attention to HC1 control In the production unit with periodic C3Y 11150c? RSV0031138 Inspection of tank cars arriving at Springfield. If the problem becomes worse, it may be necessary to revise the caustic scrubbing system and clean equipment used in storage and shipment. One VCM sphere will be inspected early in September. TJp-Pressnre Testing The absorber, stripper, and crackers are operating at increased pressures with specification VCM being produced. Control samples have Indicated greater difficulty with keeping HC1 to very low levels. It is too early to tell whether the HC1 stripping can be done successfully and to detect any other troubles with the higher pressure such as yield and cracker operation. Testing of the unit at the higher pressures will continue. Tar Production Research studies have shown that tar make is very closely related to the amount of chlorine used in cracking. It is believed that a higher level of cracking inhibitor concentration has developed, forcing the use of more chlorine with the result being more tars. The process has been too upset thus far in August for any data to be obtained. Production and Technical Service will study day-today tar makes. Research will work on analytical procedures for known inhibitors in order to assess the amount of cracking Inhibi tion. EDO Sales A sizaable market for dichloroethane has appeared and should increase in the future. Engineering work is in progress to evaluate additional capital required for neutralizing and stor ing the product and for future debottlenecking of equipment as sales increase. Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Sales Engineering reported that progress is being made on preliminary design of EDC and TCE recovary from tars for Dixie Chemical Company. Oxidative Chlorination Pilot Plant Production reported that the unit is undergoing tests of feed streams and circulation of caustic preparatory to starting up. filtration of reactor effluent gas is indicated to be a major problem. Engineering and Production are working together to define the causes. C3Y 11:tcs? RSV0031 22D9 Reboiler Fouling High maintenance costs and increased tar make are resulting from severe fouling of the 22D9 column reboiler. Three changes have been made since the last start-up and another is scheduled for the latter part of this week. The fouling is in the form of a thin, hard coating, like varnish, on the tube sheet and tubes. Previous experience had been with coke deposits which plugged the tubes after several months' service. Research suggested a trial of tributyl, amine as a fouling preventer. Uninhibited VCM Production reported that Great American is no longer asking for VCM shipments without phenol. This will be dropped pending further customer interest. djc 8-28-58 RSV0031140