Application
This was an especially critical application due to the corrosiveness of the material to be treated, which was hydrofluoric acid at concentrations of up to 75%.
The new equipment, manufactured from engineering plastics, replaced old equipment of AºCº lined with PVDF.
Characteristics
Two units were manufactured in consecutive years to replace the old absorbers. The equipment had an internal diameter of 1650 mm, Klopper bottoms, and a useable capacity of 4 m3.
Each unit came equipped with internal accessories for the feed and distribution of the acid.
Operating Conditions
The operating conditions of the absorbers were a maximum pressure of 3.5 bar, and a maximum temparature of 70ºC.
The absorbers receive hydrofluoric acid in concentrations that reach 75% inside the equipment.
Material
The absorbers were of dual composition, using PVDF as a liner and a carbon fibre entrefase to protect the fibreglass from permeation of the acid through the PVDF. The structural reinforcement was of a novolac vinylester resin DERAKANE470/300 based FRP. The internal components were manufactured in PVDF.
Client
Petroquímica Española S.A. (PETRESA) .
Location
PETRESA plant, San Roque,
Cádiz, Spain
Year of completion
2004