Document zzwaK4LOkppBKLgpNe9pOpM4a

INTER.OFFICE MEMO TENNECO CHEMICALS, INC. To From Subject W. F. Gabel A. C. Siegel PRODUCTIVITY IMPACT--EPA At At Date Copy to May 1, 1977 R* S. Cole R. H. Mathis N. J. Quist R. D. Richards G. I. Rozand J. P. Sandstedt P, R. Scarito For the last eight weeks, we have made a concerted effort to comply with EPA requirements for reactor opening and slurry stripping in the Homopolymer Plant. The most difficult problem to solve was consistently being below the 2100ppm level when opening the reactors. With the reactor experimentation completed, we have now been able to better define the productivity Impact. REACTOR CYCLES All reactor cycles have been extended by an average of 0.5 hours. For 28 days in April, this amounted to a loss of 130,000 lbs. In addition, another 40,000 lbs, loss occurred for the generation of the EPA test data. STRIPPING CYCLES All stripping cycles have been extended by an average of 0.6 hours. When stripping cycles are limiting, such as the 10R resin for Nixon, an additional loss occurs. We have and are continuing to revise our slurry stripping procedures to maintain the EPA requirements of 400ppm while shortening the cycle. When completed, we will be able to more fully measure the production impact. Based upon results for 28 operating days in April, we suffered a loss of 20,000 lbs. RECOVERY COMPRESSORS It is now very important that we maintain our recovery compressors and systems in top condition in order to reach EPA levels. By extending the reactor recovery time 0.5 hours, the compressor on-stream time has increased by 7.5 hours per day. When a compressor is off-stream for routine maintenance or emergency repair, a productivity loss of 40-50% will occur in order to continue to meet EPA requirements. Installation of a new compressor would be a solution to this problem. However, as a temporary measure, we are using the Copolymer recovery compressors to assist during times of emergencies to minimize the production loss. We are also stressing the effective and fast overhaul of any compressor that is out for maintenance service. In summary, the total Identifiable loss for April is 190M lbs., and we are continuing to work on the problem. I hope the above highlights the current, continuing, and the increasing impact that meeting EPA requirements has on productivity. ACS:pjd A. C. Siegel COLORITE 018451