Configuring and setting up of multi-product and multi-capacity versatile solvent production plants - HWB's experience

Organophosphorus and amide based solvents have been recognised as an important inputs in the nuclear fuel cycle of Nuclear Power Programme (NPP). HWP, Talcher for production of four different kind of solvents, i.e D2EHPA, TOPO, TAPO and DNPPA in different batches and a Versatile Solvent Synthesis Pilot plant (VSSP) at HWP, Tuticorin for production of PC88A, TiAP and DHOA in different batches. Both the facilities have been successfully operated for production of different solvents meeting the prevailing demand. This paper explains about the experience gained by HWB for configuring, engineering and operating these multiproduct and multi-capacity versatile facilities. Sizing and selection of Material of Construction (MoC) of the equipment and machineries and utility packages under different range of operating parameters, inventories and compatibility of the chemicals, along with operational issues with respect to contamination of different chemicals and decontamination of the used loops for different products, were the key engineering issues for configuring the system. Finally, operation philosophy for different kind of products were established and batch operations were optimised with respect to on-stream hours and production as intended. Synthesis operation of all the solvents involves various reaction and unit operation steps, requiring specific reaction and operation control mechanism for respective process steps. Hence selection of type of instrument and control system and it's working range was critical for designing the system for smooth operation of the facility with different solvents