Nexus Design Mitigates Cation Plant Environmental Emissions
Nexus was asked to advise on a client’s water treatment system, which produces ion exchange resins, electrodeionization products, reverse osmosis and nonfiltration membranes, and ultrafiltration membranes. These products accommodate market sectors and industries across the globe. This cation plant in particular is critical to the client’s ion exchange business.
Challenge
During an air permit audit, the client discovered two atmospheric sulfuric acid tanks in its cation plant were exceeding permit limits for MeCl2 and SO2. Tank vapors were to be vented to a nearby thermal oxidizer for combustion of the VOCs, often operating at pressures higher than the tanks’ rating. The challenge: modify the tanks to vent to the thermal oxidizer, while protecting the tanks from overpressure scenarios.
Solution
Using the pressure data provided, Nexus engineers determined that a process blower would be required to transport vapor from the tanks to the thermal oxidizer. The process blower was specified by Nexus and purchased from an approved supplier. Using state-of-the-art CAD 3D modelling, Nexus engineers designed modifications to the tanks to pipe vapors to the blower, and from the blower to the thermal oxidizer. Because the tanks are only rated for atmospheric pressure, several layers of protection were designed to protect them from excessive pressure or vacuum, including both relief valves and advanced controls.
Results
The process blower was specified and purchased in time to be installed and commissioned prior to the date mandated by the EPA. Nexus was able to complete the project from preliminary engineering through IFC on-time and under budget.
Client Name
Confidential
Location
Central Region, USA
Services
- FEL-2/3 Define Engineering
- Detailed Engineering
- Laser Scanning
- 3D Model Development
- TIC Estimating
- Pressure Relief Analysis and Specification
- Equipment Specification
- Instrument Specification
- Process Control Philosophy Development
- Procurement Assistance
- Municipal & Environmental Permitting Support
