Special attention was focused on the initial parallel operation of the old and the new station in order to avoid operational failures due to disturbances during commissioning. The design of the piping therefore also takes into account the changeover from the old to the new chemical dosing station.

In order to minimize risks, the chemicals are also mixed immediately after the dosing station and then fed to the respective places of use.

All planning and construction was based on site inspections and on-site measurements. The existing structures were already taken into account as far as possible in the basic engineering.

In this project a treatment plant for hydrochloric acid in Spain with a throughput capacity of 5 m³ / h was designed and realized. The plant consists of two activated carbon filters and two ion exchangers, which are connected in series.  The task of the treatment plant is to remove the final impurities.

Processing Procedure

The process was designed in consultation with the customer. Thus, the dimensions and materials were selected in advance and the regeneration steps for the economic operation of the plant were determined. The activated carbon filters are rinsed and treated less frequently and therefore partly manually, whereas a fully automatic regeneration is planned for the ion exchangers. The special feature during the design phase was to keep the dimensions as compact as possible for truck transport and installation at the difficult to access location. After the production of vessels, pipe parts and supports, the plant was pre-assembled at the KB.tec GmbH plant. The individual vessels were piped and wired to stable steel frames. In addition, a single tubular frame was also provided, which was connected to the tanks on site. The mechanical assembly of the complete plant at its final position was completed in only two weeks. After filling in the filter material and integration into the existing pipe network by the customer, commissioning was carried out in two steps: At the beginning all process procedures were extensively tested with water. Last adjustments of the step sequence could thus be run through several times without any risk. Only after the complete optimization of the control processes was the plant filled with hydrochloric acid and put into operation.

Scope of condensate treatment (main components):

• 2 Candle Filters (Ø 1.400 mm * 2.000 mm)
• 1 Cation Exchanger (Ø 2.800 mm * 2.000 mm)
• 2 Mixed Beds (Ø 2.800 mm * 3.000 mm)
• 3 Resin Catcher
• 2 Tanks for Regenerating Agent, with filling station
• 1 fully automatic Regeneration Station
• Pipeline Planning according to the Customer's Factory Standards
• Equipment-Lists for Components, Fittings and
• Instrumentation

Work Flow

After the process design the construction of the plant components and their layout planning took place. For the layout, the customer specified a defined area. The plant design, including a supplementary proposal for the steel structure planning of the plant housing, was discussed and optimized several times with the customer. During a joint HAZOP, all procedural steps for the safe operation of the plant were examined in advance

and the basis for the approval planning of the plant was worked out. At the end of basic engineering, a detailed cost estimate of the planned scope of the plant was submitted.

Scope of the brine treatment plant (main components):

• 3 ion exchanger/ co-current (Ø 2.700 mm * 3.000 mm)
• 1 fully automatic regeneration station
• 2 resin traps
• Piping system completely prefabricated
• Armatures and measuring devices
•  Pneumatical and electrical components

The system logic (connecting lines with all automatic fittings) was pre-piped and wired in two robust stainless steel frames. GRAFCET step chains were transferred to the customer to describe the control sequence for this subsystem. The customer was thus able to order a control system for the entire plant.

with brine and put into operation. In the later operation of the plant, the regeneration steps were observed and optimized.

Project Scope:

• Decolorizing Filter ( Ø 2.400 mm * 4.300 mm )
• Cation Exchanger ( Ø 2.600 mm * 4.400 mm )
• 2 Booster Pumps
• 2 Front Piping (prefabricated)
• Fittings + Measurements
• Pneumatic + Electrical
• Components

Project processing procedure:

KB.tec was commissioned with a "basic engineering" in the preparation of the project. This included the design and control of the process sequences, various Installation proposals and the revision of the fittings and measuring points.

After all the technical and commercial details had been clarified, KB.tec was also given the task of carrying out the project. In order to save "valuable time" during the implementation on site, pipe parts, fittings and sub-distribution boxes were pre-assembled on stainless steel frames on KB.tec GmbH premises. This allowed the work on the connecting pipelines to be performed on site within the specified time frame. The valves are triggered via the new valve terminal groups which are installed in the sub-Distribution boxes and controlled by the higher-level control system. After filling in the filter material, the plant was commissioned with the support of KB.tec GmbH. All process modes were tested with water. Last adjustments of the Control system could therefore be run through several times without any danger. Following the trial operation, the plant could be put into operation. Finally, flushing and optimization of the filling quantities was carried out. 

For this project a brine treatment plant with a total capacity of 75 m³ / h was constructed and realized in Colombia. The complexity caused by high operating temperature, high operating pressure and aggressive media has been solved successfully.

A special feature of the plant: During the commissioning one out of three ion exchangers acts as a mercury trap and the following two ion exchangers serves to soften the salt brine. In the further course of commissioning all three ion exchangers serves to soften the salt brine for the downstream chlorine-membrane-electrolysis.

Scope of the brine treatment plant (main components):

• 3 ion exchanger/ co-current (1.700 mm * 3.000 mm)
• 1 fully automatic regeneration Station
• 1 resin trap
• Piping system completely prefabricated
• Armatures and measuring devices
• Pneumatical and electrical components

Project course

KB.tec GmbH undertook the tasks of engineering, construction and supervision for the project. Thus the plant components were designed, manufactured, packaged and shipped to Colombia by KB.tec GmbH. In Colombia the plant was installed by the client. But the assembly and commissioning works were supervised and supported by KB.tec.

The commissioning of the plant was made in two steps: Initially, one out of three ion exchangers’ acts as mercury absorption and the other two were used in the lead-leg process to soften the salt brine. After an operation period of approx. two months, the brine circuit is free of mercury and the operation was switched to three ion exchangers for softening.

After the change of the ion exchanger material of the first column the plant was commissioned successfully in cooperation with the client. In addition various operation modes have been tested successfully. Since August 2016, the plant successfully produces softened salt brine.

For the company Vinnolit an existing brine treatment plant was scaled up from a total capacity of 250 t/h to a total capacity of 450 t/h. The task was difficult because of

the existing framework conditions.

The Upscale took place of the existing limited area and should recycle as much existing Equipment as possible. Further the construction measures time was limited to 5 days (from the reconstruction of the old plant to the start up of the new plant).

The assembly started on the 1st of june and ended with the report ready on the 6th

of june in 2008.

Since then the plant is successfully in operation.

The execution of this project is another evidence of the qualification and performance of the company and ist employees.