- The new 4-pass converter increases plant capacity to 300 mtpd and doubles steam output.
- The project began in 2018 with a process and engineering assessment by DuPont.
- The upgrade prevents 11,700 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
- PVS and DuPont will present a paper on this project at CRU Sulphur 2021.
Project Overview
PVS Chemicals Belgium N.V. has successfully started up a new MECS® converter and steaming equipment at its sulfuric acid plant in Gent, Belgium. The new 4-pass converter increases the plant's capacity to approximately 300 mtpd of sulfuric acid, replacing two parallel converter trains. This upgrade, along with new steaming equipment, will double the plant’s saturated steam output.
Environmental Impact
The new equipment will prevent approximately 11,700 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere annually, which is roughly equivalent to planting 195,000 trees each year. Additionally, PVS will supply steam generated from the new boilers to an industrial neighbor, contributing to energy efficiency and sustainability.
Project Timeline
The multi-phased plant revamp project began in 2018 with a process and engineering assessment by DuPont. Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the erection and tie-in of the new equipment were safely and successfully completed in early 2020 during a three-week turnaround. DuPont provided support during commissioning, training, start-up, and performance tests.
Future Plans
PVS anticipates that the project will pay for itself within a few years through the achieved capacity increase and a long-term steam supply contract. PVS and DuPont will co-present a paper on this project at CRU Sulphur 2021 on November 4, 2021.
