Sulzer’s processing technology enables green tire and rubber production
Sulzer has delivered a customized mass transfer solution to PT Enerco RPO Internasional’s grassroots plant for the production of treated distillate aromatic extract (TDAE) in Batam, Indonesia. The facility features the world’s largest agitated extraction column type KuhniTM (ECR), which has been designed and built by Sulzer. This piece of equipment plays a crucial role in the manufacture of eco-friendly rubber process oils (RPOs) for the tire and rubber sectors.
Sulzer, the leader in separation and mixing technology, has completed the design, installation, commissioning and start-up of an innovative processing line to produce TDAE. This is a type of RPO with low concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that offers a non-hazardous alternative to conventional DAE.
The new Indonesian facility includes an agitated extraction column type KuhniTM (ECR), a proven technology for the removal of PAH from base oil. With a diameter of 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) and a height of 34 m (111 ft 6 in), this is the largest column of its kind and allows PT Enerco RPO Internasional to deliver high volumes of TDAE.
Thanks to Sulzer’s comprehensive technologies and support, the RPO manufacturer can strengthen its competitive role as a producer of TDAE. Roy Indra Salim, Commercial Director of Enerco, comments: “A combination of the advanced patented extraction technology from PT Enerco RPO Internasional with Kuhni Agitated Columns from Sulzer Chemtech has been the key success factor for the plant to achieve optimum performance and production efficiency levels with hydrodynamic control capabilities that can contribute to the overall reliability of the plant. The TDAE plant of PT Enerco RPO Internasional in Batam, Indonesia, can be referred to as the largest single TDAE plant in the world and is able to efficiently produce a very high and consistent quality of TDAE to improve the security of supply for green RPO (TDAE) globally.”
About Sulzer
Sulzer is a global leader in fluid engineering. We specialize in pumping, agitation, mixing, separation and application technologies for fluids of all types. Our customers benefit from our commitment to innovation, performance and quality and from our responsive network of 180 world-class manufacturing facilities and service centers across the globe. Sulzer has been headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, since 1834. In 2019, our 16’500 employees delivered revenues of CHF 3.7 billion. Our shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: SUN).
The Chemtech division is the global market leader in innovative mass transfer, static mixing and polymer solutions for petrochemicals, refining, LNG, biopolymers and biofuels. Our product offering ranges from process components to complete separation process plants, including licensing. Customer support covers engineering services and field services to tray and packing installation, tower maintenance, welding and plant turnaround projects.
Comments