Quantum Chemical Company

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Syngas Production

Industry: Chemical Manufacturing

Wastes Reduced: Oil/Hydrocarbons

Equipment: Partial Oxidation Unit

Location: La Porte TX

No. of employees: 1200

Contact: Clark Hopper

Phone: (713) 478-7155

Description:

Quantum produces synthesis gas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) from heavy petroleum (resid) oils. The heavy oils are processed in a partial oxidation process licensed by Texaco which converts 95% of the hydrocarbon to synthesis gas, the rest going to carbon dioxide and soot. Because of the sulfur content of the resid oil, a Claus system is used to capture sulfur dioxide and convert it to elemental sulfur. The process is able to accept a wide variety of hydrocarbon feedstocks and has been modified to accept up to 10% of the feedstock as alternate hydrocarbon by-products from other facilities in the area.

Environmental Benefits:

The unit is running currently at 25% of alternate feedstocks capacity using nearly 400 tons per month of alternative hydrocarbon feedstock, converting them to valuable product. This will directly replace an equivalent amount of resid that can then be processed into other petroleum products. The alternative hydrocarbon feedstock would normally have been incinerated or burned for energy recovery releasing CO2, NO2 and SO2 into the atmosphere.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The additional equipment required to handle the alternative feedstocks cost about $1.5 million. The avoided raw material costs and waste disposal provided Quantum with a one year payback on the investment.

Source: TCEQ