Chemical

Chemical plant air pollution treatment

ERG supplies engineered air pollution control systems for chemical production plants, helping operators achieve reliable emissions compliance while accommodating demanding process conditions and site-specific engineering standards.

Our purpose-designed scrubbing systems are configured for storage tank vents, reactors, LEV systems, liquid waste handling and VOC-rich process exhausts, using combinations of wet gas cleaning, quench, carbon adsorption, thermal oxidation and DeNOx technologies.

Each package is engineered to suit the application and client requirements and is supplied with a process guarantee.

Applications and contaminants treated in chemical plants

ERG’s abatement packages are typically installed to treat vents from storage tanks, reactors, vent lines / LEV systems, liquid waste handling, packaging areas and thermal oxidisers. In many cases, a skid-mounted scrubber package is required, though ERG can also arrange site installation and commissioning.

Typical contaminants which we treat include:

Acid gases – HCl, Cl₂, Br₂, COS, HCN, SO₂, H₂S, mercaptans, etc.
Basic gases – NH₃, amines, etc.
Silicates – SiO₂, H₂SiF₆, SiF₄, SiCl₄, etc.
Dust and aerosols – 100 to <1 micron particle sizes; mechanically and chemically generated dust including catalysts, zeolites, PTA and rubber
VOCs – MEK, methyl chloride, THF, ethyl acetate, acetone, etc.

ERG has particular experience treating halogenated semi-metals such as BCl₃, SiCl₄ and SiF₄, where difficult-to-handle gelatinous or solid precipitates can form on contact with the scrubbing liquor, creating the potential for fouling and system blockage. Download our case studies to read more.

Gas cleaning and abatement technologies for chemical production

Our vent abatement systems are based on one or more of the following technologies. Each package is bespoke, designed and manufactured to the specific project requirements.

Packed tower scrubbers – for acid gases, basic gases, some dusts and some VOCs
V‑tex® scrubbers – for acid gases, basic gases, some dusts and some VOCs, and especially suitable for gelatinous hydrolysis products
Venturi scrubbers – for high concentration or fine dust
Carbon filters – for VOC and solvent abatement
Quench systems – for adiabatically cooling high temperature gas for further wet scrubbing
Tray scrubbers – typically for large flowrate, low concentration gases and dusts
Thermal oxidation – for waste solvents and VOC-rich vent gases
Low temperature DeNOx – for NOx abatement to high efficiency

ERG is also skilled at system integration, adding additional abatement techniques from third-party vendors into our systems. Examples include bag filters, ceramic filters, RTOs, SCR / SNCR de-NOx and liquid effluent treatment.

Meeting exacting chemical industry specifications

ERG’s design and project management teams are highly experienced at delivering packaged plant which meets the chemical industry’s needs. All design and procurement is managed according to our ISO 9001 procedures. All manufacturing and assembly is to the agreed codes and project specifications, managed through and certified against the project Quality and Inspection & Test Plans.

All equipment is fully certified and documented in accordance with applicable European Standards, and CE marked accordingly. Vessels can be supplied to BS EN 13121, PD 5500 or ASME VIII as appropriate, and packages CE marked to the Pressure Equipment (2014/68/EU) and ATEX (2014/34/EU) Directives depending on the specification requirements.

Safety in design and operation is our highest priority, and we work with the main contractor, designer and end user to ensure that safety case documentation, HAZOP and related reviews are conducted thoroughly and efficiently.

Choice of materials

ERG package scope of supply

ERG is a specialised scrubbing supplier. Our typical scope includes:

Project management including customer design reviews, progress reporting, equipment interface agreement, programme management, site activities co-ordination and documentation packages
Process design and technical submission – heat and mass balance, P&ID, control philosophy and technical schedules
Detailed mechanical and electrical design – model and/or package General Arrangement drawings, civils requirements, site wiring details, interface details, off-loading and installation details
Sub-supplier procurement, quality assurance and expediting – vessels, pipework and valves, pumps, fans, heat exchangers, instrumentation, control panels or local JBs, access steelwork and pressure protection devices
Package assembly including full pipework and wiring, factory testing and certification
Delivery

Installation and commissioning are also available if required, and phone support during this phase can be arranged if preferred. Plastic and GRP vessels are manufactured by ERG (Plastic Fabrication), with skid assembly and testing managed at its facility in West Sussex.

Operational peace of mind

Every ERG abatement package carries a performance guarantee, so operators can be confident that the equipment will meet the process requirements. Our standard 12-month warranty, or extended warranty where agreed, guarantees the mechanical and electrical parts against defects. Our Maintenance department can also assist with routine, shut-down or emergency maintenance.

Our clients

Customers include chemical producers across a wide range of process sectors. Contracts can be placed directly by site owners or through main contractors including Jacobs, PM Group, Doosan and Doosan Babcock.