ROTHSCHILD, Wis., Dec.18, 2000—U.S.Filter has successfully completed the construction and start-up of a Zimpro�et air oxidation system to treat spent caustic for the YANPET ethylene expansion project in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
The ethylene plant is part of a major expansion by Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical (YANPET), a joint venture of Saudi Basic Industries and Mobil. The wet air oxidation installation is the first of its kind for U.S.Filter in Saudi Arabia.
Wet air oxidation is being used to treat the spent caustic generated from the ethylene cracking process. In this application, sulfides and other contaminants in the spent caustic are treated to allow discharge to the ethylene plant's biological treatment facility.
According to Rob Lawson, vice president of industrial sales at Zimpro Products, "This is the first spent caustic treatment system supplied by U.S.Filter in Saudi Arabia and we expect other similar projects in the Middle East. The petrochemical industry is expanding in this region."
"Ethylene spent caustic treatment is currently the leading application for wet air oxidation technology," he continues. "It is safe and reliable, and compared with other methods, it is more cost-effective. In addition to effectively treating the spent caustic, it also eliminates noxious sulfide odor."
Zimpro Products has supplied 24 wet air oxidation systems for spent caustic treatment within the past 10 years. The modular, skid-mounted system is designed and manufactured by U.S.Filter's Zimpro Products in Rothschild, Wis.
Wet air oxidation, developed and commercialized by Zimpro Products, is in wide use today for treatment of both ethylene and petroleum refinery spent caustics.
U.S.Filter, a Vivendi Water company, is the leading global provider of commercial, industrial, municipal and residential water and wastewater treatment systems, products and services, with operations in more than 100 countries.
For more information, visit USFilter's web site at http://www.usfilter.com.
