Tarragona, Spain
Case study – Transport plant for the chemical industry in Spain
Chemical IndustryInstallation location
Delivery of the Loibl components
April 2021
Project construction phase
2019-2021
Modules
Salt feed hopper,
Trough screw conveyor,
Trough belt conveyor,
Steel structure and walkways
Special features
all components made of stainless steel
with very good corrosion resistance
Case study
Sustainable chlorine production in Spain
Chlorine is one of the key basic chemicals used in plastics production. Since chlorine does not occur naturally, it has to be produced artificially by electrolysis of common salt. This complex production process requires a significant amount of energy. A more sustainable method is the oxygen depolarized cathode technology, in which chlorine is produced by an oxygen depolarized cathode instead of a hydrogen-generating electrode. The end products are chlorine and caustic soda, avoiding the by-product hydrogen. Since the beginning of 2019, a large-scale plant has been under construction at the Spanish site in Tarragona, where chlorine will be produced exclusively using this modern process for the first time. The Loibl Förderanlagen GmbH is supplying the conveyor technology for the project, from the salt feeding point to the saturation tank.
All Loibl components were made of highly wear-resistant stainless steel. All components were equipped with manual operating stations, which are used in case of malfunctions or revisions. The entire structure differs from conventional conveyor systems in its solid construction.
The salt required for chlorine production is delivered by truck and unloaded into the feed bunker by a front-wheel loader. The bunker has a capacity of 25 m³ and allows a material throughput of up to 60 t/h. The bunker is equipped with four vibrating motors. They allow the hopper to be completely emptied when stopped and manually cleaned in case of bridging or blockages. A sensor on the top of the hopper continuously measures the fill level and a traffic light signals the current operating status.
Below the hopper, the salt is discharged by a LASHSCREWCON® with a varying conveying capacity between 27 t/h and max. 60 t/h. Connected to this is a long LASHBELTCON® whose belt and plastic rollers have been selected to suit the corrosive environment. The trough belt conveyor transports the salt to a saturation tank; the belt filling rate can vary according to the conveying capacity. Instead of the conventional truss structure, Loibl Förderanlagen GmbH, in cooperation with a structural engineering team, opted for a self-supporting stainless steel framework consisting of conveyor belt and bridge. Due to the material properties, the components were mainly made of folded sheet metal and for the most part bolted instead of welded.
LOIBL'S SCOPE OF SUPPLY AND SERVICES:
- Detailed engineering
- Consulting and planning
- Manufacturing in Straubing, Bavaria
- Stainless steel salt feed hopper
- LASHSCREWCON® - Stainless steel trough screw conveyor
- LASHBELTCON® - Stainless steel trough belt conveyor
- Stainless steel structure and walkways
FUTURE-ORIENTED TECHNOLOGIES
Sustainable plant engineering as well as consistent investment in new processes and technology have a high priority for the Loibl Förderanlagen GmbH. We support greentech projects that prove to be forward-looking in achieving environmental technology goals. In doing so, we offer a comprehensive range of materials, supplies and services that meet the diverse needs of our customers.
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