Mallinckrodt
Acetone Scrubbing System for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Dublin
Project Overview
ERG Air Pollution Control supplied a specialist acetone scrubbing system for Mallinckrodt at its facility in Dublin, Ireland, in 2017.
The project involved a stainless steel gas treatment package incorporating a venturi eductor, packed tower scrubber, subcooler, heat exchanger, circulation pump, pipework and instrumentation.
Designed for an industrial acetone scrubbing application, the equipment was assembled as an integrated skid-mounted system with an associated access structure.
All principal equipment was manufactured from 316 stainless steel, providing a robust material solution for the specified process conditions.
The project demonstrates ERG’s experience in supplying engineered solvent scrubbing equipment for pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing environments, where process integration, materials selection and reliable operation are important considerations.
The Challenge – Managing Acetone in Industrial Process Gas Streams
Acetone is a volatile organic compound (VOC) commonly used as a solvent in pharmaceutical manufacturing, chemical processing and industrial production.
Its volatility means that acetone can enter process gas streams during manufacturing, handling and other operations.
Depending on the application, these streams may require treatment to manage solvent concentrations and meet site-specific environmental or operational requirements.
For the Mallinckrodt project, ERG was tasked with supplying an acetone scrubbing package incorporating several interconnected process components.
The engineering challenge involved integrating gas-liquid contacting equipment, liquid circulation and temperature-control equipment into a coordinated system suitable for installation within an existing industrial facility.
The package also required appropriate access for inspection and maintenance, together with instrumentation for process monitoring and control.
The Solution – Integrated Acetone Scrubbing Package
ERG supplied a multi-component scrubbing system incorporating a venturi eductor and packed tower scrubber.
The venturi eductor provides a means of bringing a gas stream into contact with a circulating liquid, using the energy of the liquid flow to create gas-liquid interaction.
The packed tower scrubber provides additional contact between the process gas and scrubbing liquid through a packed section, increasing the available surface area for mass transfer.
For suitable process conditions, this arrangement can support the absorption of soluble contaminants from a gas stream into a liquid phase.
The Mallinckrodt package also incorporated a subcooler and heat exchanger as part of the liquid temperature-control arrangement.
Temperature management can be an important consideration in solvent scrubbing applications because the solubility and transfer behaviour of volatile compounds depend on operating conditions.
A circulation pump, associated pipework and instrumentation completed the principal process equipment package.
The integrated arrangement brought together gas-liquid contacting, liquid circulation and thermal management equipment within a single engineered system.
Stainless Steel Construction for Industrial Chemical Processing
The equipment was manufactured from 316 stainless steel.
This grade of stainless steel is widely used in pharmaceutical and chemical processing equipment because of its mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and suitability for many industrial process environments.
The use of 316 stainless steel throughout the supplied package provided a consistent material specification for the principal process equipment.
The project documentation also identifies PED 5500 SEP, indicating that the equipment was classified under Sound Engineering Practice requirements associated with the Pressure Equipment Directive.
This classification is relevant to the engineering and conformity requirements applicable to the pressure equipment within the package.
Skid-Mounted Equipment and Access Structure
The acetone scrubbing system was supplied as a skid assembly, integrating the principal treatment equipment, circulation components, pipework and instrumentation.
Skid-mounted construction provides a practical approach to delivering complex industrial process packages, allowing multiple components to be assembled within a coordinated mechanical arrangement.
The system also incorporated an access structure to support inspection and maintenance activities.
The installation photographs illustrate the compact arrangement of the stainless steel process vessels, pipework, instrumentation and access platforms within the wider industrial plant.
This type of engineered package is particularly relevant where treatment equipment must be integrated into an established manufacturing facility with existing structures, services and operational constraints.
Project Equipment and Scope
The equipment supplied for the Mallinckrodt acetone scrubbing application included:
Venturi eductor for gas-liquid contacting.
Packed tower scrubber.
Subcooler.
Circulation pump.
Heat exchanger.
Stainless steel process pipework.
Process instrumentation.
Integrated skid assembly.
Associated access structure.
316 stainless steel construction throughout the principal equipment package.
The system was delivered in 2017 for installation at Mallinckrodt’s Dublin facility.
Project Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Project details |
|---|---|
| Client | Mallinckrodt |
| Site | Dublin, Ireland |
| Industry | Pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing |
| Application | Acetone scrubbing |
| Treatment technology | Venturi eductor and packed tower scrubber |
| Thermal equipment | Subcooler and heat exchanger |
| Liquid circulation | Pump and associated pipework |
| Materials of construction | 316 stainless steel |
| Mechanical arrangement | Integrated skid assembly |
| Access | Dedicated access structure |
| Instrumentation | Process instrumentation |
| Pressure equipment classification | PED 5500 SEP |
| Year delivered | 2017 |
Engineering Benefits
The Mallinckrodt project illustrates several aspects of ERG’s industrial gas treatment engineering capability.
Integrated process design: The combination of a venturi eductor, packed tower scrubber, subcooler and heat exchanger provides an engineered arrangement for gas-liquid contacting and temperature management.
Specialist materials: The use of 316 stainless steel provides a consistent construction material across the supplied process equipment.
Skid-mounted assembly: The integrated package brings together multiple process components within a coordinated installation.
Maintenance access: The associated access structure provides practical access to the equipment for inspection and servicing.
Industrial integration: The project demonstrates the supply of specialist scrubbing equipment for installation within an established manufacturing environment.
ERG’s Expertise in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Gas Scrubbing
ERG Air Pollution Control designs and supplies industrial gas scrubbing systems for pharmaceutical manufacturing, fine chemicals, petrochemicals and other process industries.
Our capabilities include packed tower scrubbers, venturi systems, chemical absorption equipment, corrosion-resistant process vessels and integrated gas treatment packages.
Each system is engineered around the requirements of the application, including gas composition, operating conditions, materials compatibility, process integration and maintenance considerations.
The Mallinckrodt project in Dublin demonstrates ERG’s experience in supplying specialist stainless steel solvent scrubbing equipment for demanding industrial applications.
For further information about acetone scrubbing, VOC treatment or industrial gas scrubbing systems, contact ERG Air Pollution Control.
