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Nuova Solmine completes testing of DuPont final absorption tower

Published by , Editorial Assistant
Hydrocarbon Engineering,


Italian speciality chemicals company, Nuova Solmine, has recently completed testing on a new DuPontTM MECS® ZeCor® final absorption tower, designed and installed by DuPont Clean Technologies, at its double absorption sulfuric acid plant in Scarlino, Italy. The alloy tower with performed below local regulator emissions limits (35 mg/Nm3) and acid mist also measured considerably below contractual performance guarantee (30 mg/Nm3).

With a capacity of approximately 1700 tpd, Nuova Solmine’s sulfuric acid plant in Scarlino operates 365 days a year, supplying sulfuric acid to Italy, as well as other countries in the Mediterranean basin, as well as Central and South America.

By early 2017, the brick lining in the old FAT tower had started to deteriorate and require frequent maintenance, which affected production efficiency. DuPont was awarded the turnkey contract to design, execute, supply and erect a replacement tower made of lightweight and corrosion-resistant alloy in July 2017.

“We wanted to replace our old final absorption tower with a highly efficient new tower that would guarantee constant reliable emissions control and not require as much maintenance as the last one did”, said Gabriele Pazzagli, Scarlino Site Manager, Nuova Solmine. “DuPont Clean Technologies could not only offer a performance and mechanical guarantee but also could help us to limit lost production time through a definite delivery and installation schedule.”

From start to finish the complete project took 11 months with the replacement of the old brick-lined tower taking place during a planned plant turnaround in August 2018.

Kirk Schall, Global Business Manager, Acid and Scrubbing Technologies, DuPont Clean Technologies said, “Our aim is to enable our customers to reduce emissions while continuing operations without loss of production time. Our design and engineering teams therefore focus on achieving quality construction, timely delivery and simple installation of reliable and efficient equipment on minimal plot size, as this FAT installation demonstrates. That allows customers like Nuova Solmine to concentrate on their core business with minimal disruption.”

After passing extensive testing, the new MECS ZeCor drying tower is performing well with a much lower pressure drop than specified and SO3 acid mist emissions that satisfy environmental requirements.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/23102019/nuova-solmine-completes-testing-of-dupont-final-absorption-tower/

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