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ACRYLONITRILE PLANT AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
Citation:
Anguin, M. AND S. Anderson. ACRYLONITRILE PLANT AIR POLLUTION CONTROL. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-79/048.
Description:
Based on available literature, the report identifies and ranks (in terms of efficiency, cost, and energy requirements) air pollution control technologies for each of four major air pollutant emission sources in acrylonitrile plants. The sources are: (1) absorber vent gas streams, (2) liquid waste holding ponds, (3) hydrogen cyanide/acetonitrile incinerators, and (4) reactor startup streams. It also identifies control technology research and development needs. Conclusions concerning emissions from each source include: (1) absorber vent gas streams--large amounts of hydrocarbons (HCs) are emitted; thermal incineration is an acceptable and efficient control; (2) liquid waste holding ponds--high levels of HC emissions occur; no controls are available for these emissions at the ponds; reduction of the HC levels prior to discharge to the ponds is feasible; research should be conducted on carbon absorption and solvent extraction; (3) hydrogen cyanide/acetonitrile incinerators--high levels of NOx may occur; more data are required; advanced incineration techniques should be investigated; and (4) reactor startup streams--large amounts of acrylonitrile are vented to the atmosphere during reactor startup; incinerating this stream produces high levels of NOx; carbon adsorption and wet scrubbing appear feasible; and demonstrations are required.