Document pmneLJd1nnr5nO4V4azMQXYba

Inter-Office Memo TENNECO CHEMICAIS, INC. To H. B. Carr' At Burlington From F. W. Kanzler At Burlington Subject Monomer Recovery System project No.: 70-001 Date ' August 20, 1969 Copy to R. S. Cole H. H. Duhamel J. C. Fisher L. Iszak C. W. Johnston N. J. Quist R. D. Richards P. R. Scarlto A. V. Wagner t-" M. W. Williams As decided in the meeting on 8/15/69 in Burlington, the following analyses were performed on samples from the monomer recovery system: 1. Phenol in the fume scrubber overflow water. 2. Phenol and peroxides in the copolymer plant monomer re covery, before and after the compressor. 3. Phenol and peroxides from the plastisol plant recovery storage tank with and without caustic scrubbing. In addition, samples of solids forned in the pipes of the first stage suction and second stage discharge of the copolymer compressor were scheduled to be analyzed for per oxide content. Since samples are not readily available from this sample source, these analyses will be run at a future date. Table I shows the analysis results which gave rise to the following observations: 1. The phenol level in the fume scrubber overflow water is about the level expected. 2. The monomer sample from the copolymer recovery system before and after the compressor contained recovered vinyl acetate monomer only. It Is expected that the peroxide level of a mixed monomer sample will be in about the same range. The "after compressor" phenol level is question able since the sample was discolored (dark brown) which could yield a stronger signal in the spectrophotometer. 3. The peroxide level of the plastisol recovered monomer storage tank sample showed no difference between the scrubbed and non-scrubbed sample. The efficiency of the scrubber is doubtful, Jiovev r, since sodium hydroxide COLORITE 006021 - 2- August 20, 1969 flakes were used. A scrubbing with a sodium hydroxide solution may be more effective. It may be of interest that a sample of solids from the strainer basket between the first stage discharge and the second stage suction in the plastisol monomer recovery sys tem had a total peroxide level of 15 PPM as hydrogen per oxide. This analysis was made at an earlier date. In view of the results found, it is recommended to moni tor the peroxide levels in the monomer recovery system at a set frequency. Inhibitor levels should be analyzed on a once a week basis. The effectiveness of a liquid scrubber on reduction of peroxides should be investigated. FWK/rjl Attachment t<cl l^i F. W. Kanzler COLORITE 006022 TABLE I 1. Phenol in fume scrubber overflow Date and Timeof Sample 8/18/69 0945 (1 hr. 30 min. aftercharge) 1430 1630 8/19/69 0900 (45 1200 1500 min. after charge) Phenol, PPM 14 8 8 14 12 11 2. Copolymer recovery vinyl acetate monomer before and after compressor Before compressor . After compressor Peroxide, PPM as H^Og 7 11 Phenol, PPM 9 24 3- Plastlsol recovery storage tank, VCM/VA monomer. With scrubbing Without scrubbing Peroxide, PPM as 1 1 Phenol, PPM 6 7 *The scrubbing was accomplished by connecting a pipe section filled with sodium hydroxide flakes upstream of the sample bomb. COLORITE 006023