HIPPO-Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR)

Aanleiding

Their mission is to make peroxides future-ready by developing next-generation solutions, as well as solving current problems in existing applications.

They develop new, environmentally friendly solutions based on hydrogen peroxide, define new standards and shape tomorrow's key trends to improve the CO2 balance and protect the climate.

Evonik's goal is to achieve fully climate-neutral production by 2040 by sustainably supplying their sites with green hydrogen, electricity, and steam. Life-cycle analyses support them in identifying emission sources and eliminating them step by step, from production through distribution to use by their customers.

Doelstelling

With the HIPPO Delfzijl Project (Heat Integration for Production of Peroxide), Evonik intends to invest in an open heat pump (mechanical vapor recompression = MVR), which should provide CO2 reduction in the production process of the Delfzijl plant.

The open heat pump is a step towards CO2 neutrality at the site and a strategic goal of Evonik Industries. With an MVR, heat supply for distillation will be via compressed vapor instead of the previously used steam.

Korte omschrijving

A 5-stage mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) will be used in the H2O2-distillation unit to increase the energy efficiency of the process.

It is an energy integration between the top of the column where the vapors are condensed, and thus energy is withdrawn from the process, and the bottom of the column where steam is introduced to the reboiler.

To enable the transfer of heat from the vapors to the reboiler, the temperature level must be increased; therefore, MVR compresses the vapors. With the increased pressure, the temperature also increases.

With an MVR, the heat supply of the distillation will take place via compressed vapor instead of the previously used steam.

Resultaat

The open heat pump is a step towards the goal of CO2 neutrality at the site and a strategic goal of the Business line Active oxygens.

This saves:

• 5 MW of steam on average
• 5.668 t CO2/a

Furthermore, the cooling tower can be switched off and electricity demand can be eliminated.