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PROGRESS REPORT
PL AMT TECHNICAL A V 1C OKPT.-W. A. KHUMMMICH PLANT
.PlEASt RE1 91370:1716
#64
7 ^9/64
W. Q. KRUMMRICM PLANT
RESEARCH
GENERAL OFFICE
OTHERS
K C. CARDER
13 E.E.Martin 13 J .D.Sul 11 van * 5J O. B. HOSMER
10. IMP.--------------
E ' J. HOLZAPFCL .
T. W. DALTON P. E. HEISLER J, K RULLENOORE
tS V. Brawley T5 R.W.Bucknell Qt) M. L. MINCKLER
3 D.C.Armstror ;
* O J* r- TTICKLEY
L.G.Cole
fy] c. El AMAOnOPTOPOLOUE 3 L. E. KLEIN
*_E_ J* *MITMW|QTM
O w. a, HINCHCLIFF Anmiiton
O J` C. LARKIN
M. ft. PATRICK
f3 D.Middleton
12 D.Danna
A ON . I 1 KpKlLinoson
R. E. SOOEN J.A.Morgan
OFFICE SERVICES
2 five extra
*\X] L.C .Fuhr-
melster
* Molloy
LL
CONFIDENTIAL
titli!
Process Improvement Plan - Aroclor, Pydrauls, and Pyranols
puiohniliW, B. Johnson, L. G. Cole, D. C. Armstrong, E. E. Martin (j.R.Savage)
psosLiMi Present a specific plan with short range and long range objectives for Improving Aroclor rates, quality, yields, costs. Pollution con trol, corrosion control, safety and other studies.
SUMMARYt
Spec, or
1963 or
IMMEDIATE
LONG RANGE
Std.Historical Present TARGETTarget (lQ,^
Rate
20.4M lb/yr.
Yields (Biphenyl) 93.49)8
Prooess Efficiency
Manufacturing Costa 7.112/cwt
Total Savings
23.8H 28.6M lb/yr
.OH lb/yr
97.0)8 97.5)8
_ .0)8
92.05)8 92.5)8
.93.0).8
6.451 6.101/cwt 5.983/cwt
IIIO.OmZyV^ 1201 ,'0D0/yr
Most of the savings claimed result from Increased divisor by virtue of in creased rate and are dependent on sales.
The Aroclor quality objective of meeting Anniston's quality by 8-1-64 has been met as far as resistivity Is concerned, but has not been as far as stability Is concerned. The plan to meet this goal Is contained herein.
Specific projects have been Installed within the last 3 months to reduce air and stream pollution, reduce corrosion, and Improve department
safety.
/me
91370:1716 (64)
-2- July 29, 1964
DETAILS
Background
Liquid Aroclors are chlorinated diphenyl and are manufactured at WGK and Anniston by Monsanto. Diphenyl is obtained from Anniston and the following operations are performed to produce Aroclors.
1. Chlorination 2. Aeration 3. Distillation 4. Blending 5. Storing
Aroclors are designated by a four digit number such as 1142 and 1242. Any Aroclor in the 1100 series indicates crude Aroclor that has not been refined
by distillation. The 1200 series indicates refined Aroclor. The last two digits, 42 in thiB example. Indicates the degree of chlorination. Aroclor 1242 has 42JC chlorine by weight, and at WOK only 1242, 1248, 1254, and 1260 liquid Aroclors are produced.
Monsanto is the sole national producer of Aroclors. Electrical and non electrical grades of Aroclors are produced at WOK. The national sales for electrical grade Aroclors for 1963 is estimated at 26M lbs. Sales forecasts Indicate 355* increase in sales of electrical grade Aroclor within the next
3-5 years.
I. Aroclors
A. Rate
Summary
ST37
Avg.
Prod. Rate W lb/yr --purr
Downtime
n 8
,u1%
Remarks
2$6 Mechanical, 2% Process, and 456 other downtime
1963
19.1
15
Reduced avg. prod, rate resulted from scheduled or Inventory downtime due to lack of sales or storage. Inv. downtime was 8.45$, Mechanical downtime 2.785$, Process downtime 1.55$, and Other downtime 2.34^
Present
Immed. Target
23.8 28.6
6.875* log
HONS 060277
Phase I of the Aroclor expansion will be mostly completed by August 12, 1964. At least a 405$ rate increase will result. N.F.C. = $101,000. See items 13 and 14 of the Job List in the Appendix.
Long Range 39.0 (1-3 yrs)
8)6
Phase II of the Aroclor expansion will be
initiated by parts as needed. N.F.C. = $120,000. See Item 15 of the Job List In the Appendix
91370:1716 (64)
-3- July 29, 1964
Expansion, Phase I, Chlorination
The Phase I expansion will be completed by 8-12-64. The actual capacity of the ohlorlnation step will be at least 4c# greater. The following items
will be Installed:
a. 4 air-cooled heat exchangers (l.lH BTU/hr.) b. 4 larger Mark II Durco circulation pumps (250 gpm at 100' head) c. Chlorine feed control (by batch temperature) d. Chlorine feed totalizer for each chlorinator e. Radiation Specific Gravity recorder for #4 chlorinator (to be Installed
by 9-1-64). See Item 13 of the Job List in the Appendix.
Expansion, Phase I, Distillation
An Integral part of the Phase I expansion consists of three separate projects as follows:
a. Convert the present 3-stage Jets from condensing to 2-stage non-condensing This will eliminate a costly production problem and help avoid an increase in work force. This project will be completed by 8-15-64. See item 10 of the Job List in the Appendix.
b. Project 8731 has been approved to Install a larger pump (250 gpm 120' head) and a larger coil (3") in #2 still system by 9-10-64. The pur pose of this project is to eliminate a maintenance problem and downtime. The still capacity will also be Increased. #1 still will be similarly converted at a later date as the need dictates. See item 12 of the Job
List in the Appendix.
c. A Job will be taken out to evaluate the need for improved earth filtering
facilities. If Justified, the present facilities will be redesigned. This will be done by 10-1-64. See item 13 of the Job LlBt in the Appendix
Expansion, Phase I, Handling & Storage
A. feree 20,000 gal. finished product tanks will be installed by 9-15-64 as replacements for 5--15,000 gal. underground storage tanks at a cost of $92,000. Hie additional storage volume will be sufficient for a 40jtf
Increase.
The following projects listed below will eliminate some of the time consuming operations of the "B" operator and packer. They will also help minimize any overtime work required to handle the Increased capacity.
a. Install high-speed drum-off facilities.
b. Improve loading facilities at the docks.
.
c. Install metering and control equipment to up-grade blending
facilities. Design packages will go to P & S by 10-15-64 pre
suming the estimates are approved. See item 14 of the Job List
in the Appendix.
Expansion, Phase II
MOMS 060278
A radiation specific gravity recording and controlling Instrument will be
9X370:1716 (64)
-4- July 29, 1964
Installed by 9-1-64 on #4 chlorinator as an experimental unit. Closed loop chlorlnatlon-level control should be a reality by about January, 1965.
Phase II of the expansion program can then be Initiated aa the need dictates to Increase the rate by 10.4M lb./yr. for a total average Aroclor rate of 39M lb./yr. The following Items are part of the Phase II proposal:
a. Put 4 chlorlnatOrs on continuous chlorination: (see explanations below)
The obstaole involved In putting 4 chlorlnators on continuous cascade opera tion Is that 1242, 1248, 1254, and 1260 Aroclor are produced at WOK In about equal portions. Changing products In the chlorlnators with continuous opera tion Is no problem In going up scale from 1242 to 1248, etc. However, coming down scale produces about 600 gal. of crude Aroclor mixtures. No. 5 chlori nator can be operated batch-wise to produce 1260 Aroclor out of this mixture. A small biphenyl mix tank, a charge tank, and piping changes are all that wiil be necessary to convert to continuous chlorination. The radiation Instrument will be used to control chlorination level (sp. gr.) In a closed loop system comparable to Anniston's Installation. See Item 15 of the Appendix.
b. Increase still capacity:
The #1 still can be converted to a larger pump and furnace coll, the same as #2. Larger burners.will also be Installed If more capacity Is needed,
c. Increase Intermediate and final storage capacity:
Storage capacity will be critical and two more 20,000 gal. final product storage tanks will be needed. Two intermediate storage tanks, 15,000 gal. each, will also be needed and can be used for aging the crude product.
d. Improve loading facilities:
A new loading dock station may also be needed aB the trailer business In creases. The chlorine supply line will have to be cleaned or renewed, and the biphenyl unloading operation will have to be improved time-wise.
B. Quality
Summary
Test
1. Resistivity (ohm-cm)
2. Tower Factor 3. Hydrolysis
Stability (ppm Cl") 4. Monsanto
Stability (ppm Cl-) 5. Thermal Chem.
Chloride Stability (ppm Cl-)
1242 Electrical Orade Aroclor
Spec, or Std, 1563 or Historical
Present
500 x 109
570 x 109
2700 x 109
None 1.0
0.41 0.41
0.14 0.51
0.40
0.31
0.29
0.75
0.70
0.55
Target 1110 x 10 0.10 0.25
0.15
0.40
Aroclor specs, are generally very high and often difficult to attain. There HONS 060279
91370:1716 (64)
-5- July 29, 1964
are Indications that Monsanto customers would prefer even high quality Aroclor. It appears that Aroclor with higher stability and power factor will be needed.
Aroclor presently produced at WGK meets specs, but Anniston's Aroclor appears to be more stable by Munch and Hydrolysis stability tests. Results of thermal chemical chloride stability tests and Power Factor testB appear to differ be tween the two laboratories. All other quality tests Indicate WOK Is producing Aroclor comparable to Anniston, with a possible advantage to WGK In resistivity
WOK Aroclor stability will be Improved to meet Anniston's quality by 10-1-64. The lab Is working to resolve analytical discrepancies to help pln-polnt what changes In operations are needed. Aroclor stability can be affected by:
a. Chlorination temperature. b. Catalyst suspension, concentration and depletion. c. Circulation and/or agitation. d. Sulfate impurities In chlorine feed. e. Crude Aroclor aging. f. Cleanliness of chlorinator (also affects mixing). g. Distillation boll down and entrainment.
Hydrogen Chloride Quality
Brink Mist EllmlnatorB were Installed In the off-gas off each Chlorinator on June 10, 1964 to prevent Aroclor carryover. The Aroclor carryover was eliminated, but the HC1 off-gaB Is still contaminated with biphenyl, A cooler and scrubbing system haB been designed to solve this problem. The total cost Is $10,000. A savings of $5,000/yr. will result plus the savings of reduced downtime for Dept. F-218.
Improvement Plans
The following is a plan for Improving Aroclor quality In general and speci fically stabilities by 10-15-64:
1, At the completion of the expansion Installation on 8-12-64 samples will be taken to check catalyst concentration (0.03# minimum) at different times during a chlorination cycle. If a problem Is found to exist it will be solved as follows:
a. Write an amendment to add extra catalyst. b. Use a different method to slurry and suspend the catalyst In the charge e. Use the same chlorinator packing Anniston uses. d. Evaluate any differences In catalyst produced by different manufactures
2, Compare temperature profiles of WGK's and Anniston's ehlorlnators, and evaluate differences by 10-1-64.
3, Evaluate the degree of boll-down of the stills and entrainment compared with Anniston. This can be done by analyzing the montars from the stills. Correlate these results relative to Aroclor stabilities by 10-15-64. Also run a profile study of stabilities on still fractions.
4, If the Aroclor quality has not been significantly improved to meet the ob jectives by this time a lab testing program will be Bet-up to study the
MOWS Q6G280
91570:1716 (64)
-6- July 29, 1964
following variables affecting Aroclor quality in the plant;
a. Chlorlnator circulation rate, basket design, packing and sparger
design, b. Aging of crude Aroclor. o. Present filtering techniques. d. A study to determine If raw biphenyl, low or high boilers, and
special Isomers are related to Aroclor stability.
C. Yields
Standard Aroclor yields are set at 95.495^ of theory on Biphenyl. The % of theory on Biphenyl wa3 96.55* for 1965. The YTD yield as of May, 1964 Is 97.4j*. The yield target has been set for 97.55* for 1964, for a yield increase of 1J*. This Increase will come primarily from the Installation of mist elimi nators in the chlorlnator off-gas lines (Item 5 In the Appendix). This project was Installed 6-15-64. A study will be made to determine whether reject sam ples and line flush out material can be used for non-electrical grade Aroclors.
Process Efficiency is defined as -
lbs. Aroclor Produced + lbs, HC1 Produced x 100 lbs. Biphenyl Used, + lbs. Cla Used
Efficiency
This Is a very good oyerall measure of the yields of products and raw materials.
The P.E. for 1962 was 87.615*, 1965 was 85.495*, and currently is running 92.055*. The target for 1964 was set for 92.55* and the long range target was set at 95.0f for P.E.
D. Costs
1. Aroclor cost was $7.048/owt In 1962, $6.884/ewt in 1965 and $6.451/cwt
In 1964 through June. The cost will be further reduced to 6.101/cwt at a production rate of 28.6M lbs./yr. Tor a total savings of $100,000/yr. by 8-5-64, making a savings of $.550/ewt. (item 15 In the Appendix). The Capacity Increase savings. Phase I and Phase II, are predicated on sales equalling production capacity. Phase II will be completed by August, 1965, If approved, and a production rate of at least 59.OM lbs./yr. of Aroclor will be possible. This rate will reduce Aroclor costs to
5.844/cwt and save $100,000/yr. A grand total of $210,000 can be reallzd at the completion of Phase I & Phase II of the capacity Increase of the
short and long range Process Improvement Plan, presuming capacity sales.
2. The Brink Mist Eliminators on top of the Chlorlnators, part of Phase I, have been Installed. This Item is a part of the Cost Improvement Plan and produces savings of $10,000/yr. See Item 5 of the Appendix.
5. The design package to revise the still Jets was Issued on 6-11-64. This project will save $5,000/yr. in steam usage and rate Improvement ard is a
part of Phase I as well as a part of the Cost Improvement Plan. See item 10 of the Appendix.
HONS 060281
91370:1716 #64
-7- July 29, 1964
4. Increased chlorlnator circulation and cooling ie a CIP item and will pro duce rate savings of about $100,000/yr. This phase I project will be in stalled by August 12, 1964. See item 13 of the Appendix.
V. Pollution te Corrosion
1. A project was Installed in 1959 to eliminate the HC1 air pollution origina ting in the blow tanks. It has not been made to work up to April, 1964. This project was repaired and made operative by 4-15-64.
2. A study will be made of the Aroclor vapor and biphenyl vapor losses from tank vents. These fumes could contribute to air pollution and corrosion problems. Most of these vapors can be eliminated at a small cost.
F. Safety
1. A design package was out by 3-1-64 to install a Chlorine superheater to in
sure that no liquid Chlorine will get into the Chlorlnators. This project was Installed by 4-24-64 and 1b operating. Many safety features will be Included in the Phase I & II expansions to protect equipment and personnel. The dept, has not had a lost time accident since January 28, 1948.
0. Long Range Plans & Studies
1. As part of the Long Range Plan the possibility of a rate Increase by new chlorlnator designs should be investigated. It is recommended that contin
uous stirred reactors, multlsectloned stirred reactors, and tubular reactors be investigated. A substantial rate Increase and cost reduction could re sult from a new design'of the distillation*system with controlled skin or boundry temperatures to prevent product decomposition.
2.
--*r a. b. c. d.
afsj ***
lhe R ft D Section recommends an evaluation of the following to increase
rate and Improve quality:
p*a. ttJtSMb .
Chlorination wlth-a new catalyst that will yield a product of higher
quality, Vapor phase chlorination reactions. This could lead to tubular reactors
with higher quality and rates.
Liquid Chlorine use In chlorination reaction. Better quality will be Investigated. A column for earth-treating Aroclor. Evaluation of better methods of earth-treating la needed.
Exchange samples of Aroclor with Anniston on a regular routine basis to check analytical results.
3. Other studies that are further recommended are:
a. Elimination of air blowing.
(Bv Longer residence time for crude Aroclor at elevated temperatures in the ^ presence of HC1 and catalyst. c. Addition of lime to blow tanks Instead of the stills. d. VPC methods of Aroclor analysis and Isomer identification. e. Studies to determine how Aroclor quality, rate and costs are affected by
higher pressure and temperature chlorinations.
HONS 060282
91370:1716 #64
-8- July 29, 1964
f. Air-cooled condensers In the still system. g. Studies to determine the need for a column In Aroclor distillation for
Isomer selection.
II. PYDRAULS AND PYRANOLS
A. Pydrauls and Pyranols are mixes of Aroclor and other components. The major part of the mix Is Aroclor in most cases; therefore, rate, quality, yields, costs, etc. have been covered under Aroclors. A study *111 be made of mixing, blending, earth treating, and filtering to up-grade the technique, quality and rate. The blending of Pyranols Is a Cost Improve ment Item. An estimated $6,000/yr. can be saved by a close control of the sp. gr. of the Aroclor, TCB and TTCB used in the Product. See Item 16 in the Appendix.
Automatic control equipment to meter the components that comprise the product mix will be Installed by December, 1964. This will release an operator to assist In other work to Increase the dept. rate. See Item 14 of the Appendix.
W, B, Johnson Plant Technical Services
/me
MCNS 060283
rrg?Dlx hi
Priority
PTS Job Xo.
JOT? TITLE
1 313* Inert Finished Product Tank
DEScairciox
r I is tall Nitrogen oyster
2 3203 Install Oven
Electric Oven to heat-treat Atcapuigus earth.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE
Maintain high Sleet. Grade Quality Ly pre venting Product de grading .
Quality improvenettt by activating eartn.
' 3 3202 Install Brink Mist
Filter system to
Improve Quality by
Eliminator in Cls Line eliminate impuri
Impurity elimination.
ties in Cls system.
4
3205 Install Cls Vaporize*'
4" Chlorine vapo
Safety protection tpr
riser m Cls Line. ehlorlnators
5 3126 Improve HCi Cff-Gas Quality
Pllter impurities out of off-gas.
Stop blj.henyl and Aroclor carryover.
6
3189 Redesign Chlorlnator
Change size of
Improve quality by
Catalyse Basitct
chlorlnator basket. improved Chlorlnator
circulation.
7 3166 Prepare Tank layout
layout, no. tanks, Plan for an organized size, and material ,, department layout of construction.
8 3215 Redesign Chlorine Sparger
Stainless steel.
Improve ..uallty.
Sch. 60 ring sparger.
9 3222 Replace 3 Product Tanks 3-15,000 gal. product tanks
Rate increase by extra storage capacity
being replaced
by 3-20,000 gal.
10 3251 Replace Still Jets
Alter 3-3tace cond. Rate improvement by
Jets to 2-stage
eliminating operating
non-condonslng
problem and downtime.
u . 12
3198 Improve E.Q. Aroclor Quality
3229 Replace Still Coll
Isolate stability Quality improvement problcn and solve.
Replace 2" coil
Rato increase and
with p" coll to
eliminate downtime.
natch new in-
3 filiation cf larger
lump project ci731
S.D.C. - 9-10-64
.Tob
Status fc
Remarks
Est. Net $ Savings
Project cor-^ Quality plctod 5-16-6*
Ca| '.tal i
Required
600
s.n.c.
FT? Rar-davs *C7'd.
10
Project com Quality pleted 2-20-64
Project com $5000 pleted 4-2-6* Quality
2000 2600
5
10
Project com Safety pleted 4-24-64
Installation
started 6-6-64 Package to P & S 6-5-64
10,000 Quality
Quality
3800
10
12,400
3-12-64 47
Earnings 5-1-6* Expense 2300
15
Completed 4-25-64
To be .* determined.
0
10
Package to
Quality
P & S 7-17-6*
300
Construction started 7-13-64
Equipment
92,000
Replacement,
9-1-64
5
9-15-64 30
Pkg. to
5,000
P 4 S 6-11-64
Job agpr'd
3000 Earnings Expense
Pkg. to P & S To be
4-16-64
determined.
2600 Earnings Expense
9-1-6* 10
0-1-64 23 9-10-64 1<*
Props bl or Suceese
95*
75*
95i
99* 90^ bO*
904
90* 99* V
90V
c0> 904
HONS 0 6 0 2 8 4
t
*
13 *-510 Increase Arcelor O.E. rapacity phase I
Install: * air- Rate Increase
cooled heat exw
from 20.`R lb./yr.
changers on
Coat Improvement
chlorlnatore,
4-10 H.P. pinpa
_
250 gpm 100' head,
Radiation Sp. Or. recorder. Chlorine con
trol valves (5) and inte
grator. etc.
Under
100*000
Construction
95,000
8-12-6* 20
99#
S 9 7 0 9 0 SNOW
1*
Improve mixing* fil
1. Shut-off con- Insure rate in
Eat. will
To be
6,000
11-30-6* 15
tering and loading
tro1 valves at
crease without addt`1.
be about
determined
facilities.
dnan-off and
10-1-64
loading stations.
2. Metering and
control equipment at
Pyranol mixing stations. 3. Replace 30" Sparkler
I
filter.
Increase Aroclor Capacity Phase II
1. Alter piping Rate Increase
to put 4 chlorl- Cost Inproyemeht
nators on series
continuous Operation.
2. Install biphenyl head
tank, mix tank and metering
system.
.
3. Increase still capacity
on #1 still, (Same as #2)
*. Improve drum-off fac.
5. Add line to blow tank.
6. install 2-15,000 gal. ac-ng tanks.
7. Install 2-20,000 gal. stg. tanks.
Est. will be 100,000 out by 2-1-65
120,000
5 mo.
30
After approv'd
90# %
16
Alter Pyranol Mix
Control component 0oat lajjroveadftt
Open Job
6,000
Procedure
ap.gr. more closely
by 8-15-64
9-1-64
10
85*
17 Evaluation of rate variables 1. Lab RAD will Rate and duality
, evaluate catalysts,
vapor phase reaction,
liquid'phase reactions,
'
and column earth treating.
Job will be opened by 12-1-6*
To be determined
15,000
6-1-65
10 *
70*
Evaluate design changes of chlorlnators and the ^ts-
1. Evaluate stirred Rate and Quality
reactors and tubula^
reactors, etc.
*
2. Consider designs to
avoid high skin temperatures
and product degradation.
Long Range
To be
next 2-3 yrs. determined
To be
1966
determined
30
30?