Arafura Rare Earths Ltd (Arafura) has awarded Chemetics Inc. (Chemetics), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Worley and leading provider of technology for sulfuric acid and other specialty chemical facilities, the contract to install Chemetics CORE-SO2TM sulfuric acid technology, at its Nolans project in the Northern Territory of Australia.
The scope of the contract is to deliver the detailed engineering and supply of the CORE-SO2 sulfuric acid plant plus the associated oxygen plant on a lump sum basis. The sulfuric acid plant at Arafura’s Nolans project will be designed to meet tomorrow’s emission performance and clean energy transition goals.
Leveraging CORE-SO2’s high turndown capability and the potential to idle the plant while keeping the catalyst warm for extended periods of time, Arafura’s new acid plant will operate with 95% reduced sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions when compared to traditional Double Contact Double Absorption (DCDA) plants. High-pressure steam production within the CORE-SO2 process will allow CO2-free electrical power to be generated. By removing the use of a diesel or natural gas start-up burner, further greenhouse gas emissions will be prevented.
“With this project, we will assist in Arafura’s goal to be a trusted global leader and supplier of choice for sustainably mined and processed rare earth products. With each year of plant operation, more than 700 t of SO2 will be converted to usable sulfuric acid rather than emitted into the atmosphere” Chemetics President, Andrew Barr, said.
Additionally, being 60% smaller in size than traditional sulfuric acid plants, CORE-SO2 will grant Arafura significant construction advantages. Low internal gas flows and fewer pieces of equipment enable modularisation. This will minimise construction and assembly work for the remote mine site at the Nolans project, leading to increased workforce safety and improved cost-efficiency.
“Arafura Rare Earths is very pleased to be working with Chemetics Inc as a global leader that is able provide the Nolans project with highly-efficient, robustly-engineered and low-emission sulfuric acid technology. This sulfuric acid plant represents a key component in achieving our sustainability goals,” General Manager Projects, Stewart Watkins, said.