Polymerization plant for polyester chip production
Capacity: 10 – 11 tons/day normal (used to produce 20 tons/day)
Plant is assembled
Designed and delivered by the Didier Engineering Co. (later John Brown Engineering) of Germany in 1976 based on the process and know-how of the Agfa-Gevaert Co. of Belgium
Original design and installation allow for implementation of either DMT or PTA as raw material
Process comprises a two-stage production scheme, starting with the transesterification step, where DMT and ethylene glycol are brought to react in an autoclave to produce the monomeric material and methanol as a marketable by-product
Monomer is then transferred to a second reactor (autoclave) where the polycondensation step takes place to produce the required polymer, fiber-grade polyester
Alternatively, if PTA is used instead of DMT, the first step is an esterification reaction producing the same monomer as before and water; the second step remains the same
For chemical equilibrium reasons, the first stage uses the ethylene glycol reactant in excess; the part not used in the reaction is recovered and purified in a distillation column before it is recycled back to the process along with virgin glycol
Plant is provided with an independent heat transfer installation for its thermal energy needs
Nominal capacity for fiber-grade polyester production is 12.5 mt/day; however, a production output exceeding 20 mt/day is possible
All plant components are executed in 304, 316, or 321 stainless steel materials
All processes, main and auxiliaries, are automated
Pigment Preparation
Z-1101: 1 ball mill
B-1102: 1 mixing tank
B-1102-0R1: 1 agitating unit
F-1104: 1 filter
B-1105: 1 storage tank
B-1105-0R1: 1 agitating unit
Raw Materials Intermediate Storage and Measurement
