Synthomer adds air scrubber system

Harlow, UK - Polymer producer Synthomer  has added a new target plate scrubbing system at its Harlow, UK production site to improve dust control on iots process for  drying poly vinylacetate (PVA), which widely used in the manufacture of adhesives. The new plant - designed, installed and commissioned by Skipton-based ACWA AIR - supplements an existing gas cleaning system that no longer met the environmental requirements imposed on two fluid bed dryers.

According to ACWA, target plates are modified sieves trays with baffles located above each perforation. The intense interaction of water and gas in this area results in a very efficient capture of particulates present in the gas stream, the supplier explains.

In operation, exhaust air from the existing cyclonic dust collectors enters the base of the new scrubbing tower, where it is washed by a spray of scrubber water, which both scrubs out the larger dust particles and humidifies the gas. The saturated gases pass upwards through two target plates where they are scrubbed by water flowing across the plates to remove the remaining entrained dust particles.

Cleaned exhaust gases passes through a vertical chevron vane demister at the top of the tower to remove entrained water droplets before being discharged to atmosphere through a short stack. Collected PVA is returned as a slurry from the scrubber to the plant for reprocessing.

During the contract a hazard and pperability study was carried out on ACWA’s detailed process design. This, said the supplier, helped to ensure that all new and existing parts of the system were safely integrated and that both customer and supplier were fully aware of their individual undertakings and responsibilities.

During the installation period, close co-operation between the ACWA project management team and Synthomer process operative’s ensured minimum disruption to production. This close co-operation meant that the contract was completed well ahead of schedule, enabling full production to resume earlier than planned.

The Harlow site forms part of the Synthomer group of companies, which internationally specialises in the production of polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl alcohols, acrylic polymers, styrene butadiene latex and liquid polybutadienes. The company also manufactures a variety of synthetic polymer-based products ranging from paints and adhesives to textiles, speciality papers and plastics.