Bayer employing new process at chlorine recycling plant
17 Nov 2008
Leverkusen, Germany - Bayer MaterialScience plans to build another chlorine recycling plant at the Bayer Integrated Site Shanghai (BISS) based on a new technology for the catalytic oxidation of hydrogen chloride using oxygen. The technology was developed by Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd, and licensed to Bayer.
The plant will ensure the chlorine supply of the new 250ktpa toluene diisocyanate (TDI) facility in Shanghai. Bayer
MaterialScience has now broken ground for this new plant, which is based on the company’s innovative gas phase phosgenation process and is due to come on stream in 2010.
The new chlorine recycling technology was awarded the prestigious Green & Sustainable Chemistry Award in Japan for being both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. It enables a reduction in energy consumption of
more than half versus the conventional process.
"By introducing this new chlorine recycling process at Bayer MaterialScience we continue to implement the best and most innovative process technologies to strengthen our leadership position in the polyurethane industry," says Peter Vanacker, head of the Polyurethanes Business Unit and member of the Executive Committee of Bayer
MaterialScience.
The process will take hydrogen chloride co-produced during the manufacture of isocyanates, and will convert it very efficiently to chlorine which is re-used as raw material. During the past years, Sumitomo Chemical has
enhanced the process and proven its technical viability in combination with already operating manufacturing plants.
At BISS, Bayer MaterialScience has just started a new hydrochloric acid electrolysis plant to supply the 350,000 tons/year diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) train with chlorine. It uses the energy saving Oxygen Depolarized Cathode technology, which has been developed by Bayer and partners.
"By combining these two innovative technologies, we will strengthen our cost leadership in the isocyanate production. We will also be able to significantly reduce energy consumption and by that contribute to climate
protection," added Vanacker.
