Project Synopsis

Evaluate an existing HCl3Si/H2SiCl2 scrubber system to explore system modifications to prevent overheating during hot summer operating conditions for an industrial gas manufacturer.

Project Summary

The client, a supplier of industrial gases, contracted Process Engineering Associates, LLC (PROCESS) to evaluate an existing HCl3Si/H2SiCl2 scrubber system to explore system modifications to prevent overheating during hot summer operating conditions.  Specifically, PROCESS evaluated the addition of heat exchangers to remove heat from the scrubber system by placing the exchanger either in the scrubber sump or on the scrubber recirculation loop.

As part of this evaluation, PROCESS also rated the existing pump capacity for the additional pressure drop of a new heat exchanger on the scrubber recirculation loop.

There are four (4) scrubber systems that are identical in operation but have different basin sizes.  The client provided vent rates of Tri/Di-chlorosilane to the scrubbers and other process information such as a target basin temperature of 100oF.  Each scrubber system is equipped with a recirculation pump that circulates a  caustic solution from the basin sump to the top of the scrubber where it is sprayed through a nozzle on the top of the scrubber packing.

PROCESS developed a CHEMCAD process simulation to calculate the heat generated from a reaction of Tri/Di-chlorosilane with caustic in the scrubber sumps.  Using client provided vent rates and the target basin temperature, the simulation calculated the heat of reaction in the sump.  No allowance for heat loss to the atmosphere was conservatively assumed by the client for sizing a heat removal exchanger.

Based on pump curves and representative piping schematics provided by the client, PROCESS used CHEMCAD to calculate the flow/pressure profile in a scrubber loop and specified a maximum allowable heat exchanger pressure drop to maintain the required pressure at the scrubber nozzles.   PROCESS provided a heat exchanger process duty data sheet, and the client sent this to various heat exchanger technology vendors to get recommendations and pricing for installation in the scrubbers.

Industry Type

Industrial Gas Production

Utilized Skills

  • Scrubber design
  • Process improvement
  • Heat exchanger design.

Contact Us

Name(Required)
Email(Required)