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Document 32017D2117

    Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2117 of 21 November 2017 establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, for the production of large volume organic chemicals (notified under document C(2017) 7469) (Text with EEA relevance. )

    C/2017/7469

    IO L 323, 7.12.2017, p. 1–50 (BG, ES, CS, DA, DE, ET, EL, EN, FR, HR, IT, LV, LT, HU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SL, FI, SV)

    Legal status of the document In force

    ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2017/2117/oj

    7.12.2017   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    L 323/1


    COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2017/2117

    of 21 November 2017

    establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, for the production of large volume organic chemicals

    (notified under document C(2017) 7469)

    (Text with EEA relevance)

    THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

    Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

    Having regard to Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) (1), and in particular Article 13(5) thereof,

    Whereas:

    (1)

    Best available techniques (BAT) conclusions are the reference for setting permit conditions for installations covered by Chapter II of Directive 2010/75/EU and competent authorities should set emission limit values which ensure that, under normal operating conditions, emissions do not exceed the emission levels associated with the best available techniques as laid down in the BAT conclusions.

    (2)

    The forum composed of representatives of Member States, the industries concerned and non-governmental organisations promoting environmental protection, established by Commission Decision of 16 May 2011 (2), provided the Commission on 5 April 2017 with its opinion on the proposed content of the BAT reference document for the production of large volume organic chemicals. That opinion is publicly available.

    (3)

    The BAT conclusions set out in the Annex to this Decision are the key element of that BAT reference document.

    (4)

    The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 75(1) of Directive 2010/75/EU,

    HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

    Article 1

    The best available techniques (BAT) conclusions for the production of large volume organic chemicals, as set out in the Annex, are adopted.

    Article 2

    This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

    Done at Brussels, 21 November 2017.

    For the Commission

    Karmenu VELLA

    Member of the Commission


    (1)   OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 17.

    (2)  Commission Decision of 16 May 2011 establishing a forum for the exchange of information pursuant to Article 13 of the Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions (OJ C 146, 17.5.2011, p. 3).


    ANNEX

    BEST AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES (BAT) CONCLUSIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LARGE VOLUME ORGANIC CHEMICALS

    SCOPE

    These BAT conclusions concern the production of the following organic chemicals, as specified in Section 4.1 of Annex I to Directive 2010/75/EU:

    (a)

    simple hydrocarbons (linear or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic);

    (b)

    oxygen-containing hydrocarbons such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters and mixtures of esters, acetates, ethers, peroxides and epoxy resins;

    (c)

    sulphurous hydrocarbons;

    (d)

    nitrogenous hydrocarbons such as amines, amides, nitrous compounds, nitro compounds or nitrate compounds, nitriles, cyanates, isocyanates;

    (e)

    phosphorus-containing hydrocarbons;

    (f)

    halogenic hydrocarbons;

    (g)

    organometallic compounds;

    (k)

    surface-active agents and surfactants.

    These BAT conclusions also cover the production of hydrogen peroxide as specified in Section 4.2(e) of Annex I to Directive 2010/75/EU.

    These BAT conclusions cover combustion of fuels in process furnaces/heaters, where this is part of the abovementioned activities.

    These BAT conclusions cover production of the aforementioned chemicals in continuous processes where the total production capacity of those chemicals exceeds 20 kt/year.

    These BAT conclusions do not address the following:

    combustion of fuels other than in a process furnace/heater or a thermal/catalytic oxidiser; this may be covered by the BAT conclusions for Large Combustion Plants (LCP);

    incineration of waste; this may be covered by the BAT conclusions for Waste Incineration (WI);

    ethanol production taking place on an installation covered by the activity description in Section 6.4(b)(ii) of Annex I to Directive 2010/75/EU or covered as a directly associated activity to such an installation; this may be covered by the BAT conclusions for Food, Drink and Milk Industries (FDM).

    Other BAT conclusions which are complementary for the activities covered by these BAT conclusions include:

    Common Waste Water/Waste Gas Treatment/Management Systems in the Chemical Sector (CWW);

    Common Waste Gas Treatment in the Chemical Sector (WGC).

    Other BAT conclusions and reference documents which may be of relevance for the activities covered by these BAT conclusions are the following:

    Economics and Cross-media Effects (ECM);

    Emissions from Storage (EFS);

    Energy Efficiency (ENE);

    Industrial Cooling Systems (ICS);

    Large Combustion Plants (LCP);

    Refining of Mineral Oil and Gas (REF);

    Monitoring of Emissions to Air and Water from IED installations (ROM);

    Waste Incineration (WI);

    Waste Treatment (WT).

    GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

    Best Available Techniques

    The techniques listed and described in these BAT conclusions are neither prescriptive nor exhaustive. Other techniques may be used that ensure at least an equivalent level of environmental protection.

    Unless otherwise stated, the BAT conclusions are generally applicable.

    Averaging periods and reference conditions for emissions to air

    Unless stated otherwise, the emission levels associated with the best available techniques (BAT-AELs) for emissions to air given in these BAT conclusions refer to values of concentration, expressed as mass of emitted substance per volume of waste gas under standard conditions (dry gas at a temperature of 273,15 K, and a pressure of 101,3 kPa), and expressed in the unit mg/Nm3.

    Unless stated otherwise, the averaging periods associated with the BAT-AELs for emissions to air are defined as follows.

    Type of measurement

    Averaging period

    Definition

    Continuous

    Daily average

    Average over a period of 1 day based on valid hourly or half-hourly averages

    Periodic

    Average over the sampling period

    Average of three consecutive measurements of at least 30 minutes each (1)  (2)

    Where BAT-AELs refer to specific emission loads, expressed as load of emitted substance per unit of production output, the average specific emission loads ls are calculated using Equation 1:

    Equation 1:

    Formula

    where:

    n

    =

    number of measurement periods;

    ci

    =

    average concentration of the substance during ith measurement period;

    qi

    =

    average flow rate during ith measurement period;

    pi

    =

    production output during ith measurement period.

    Reference oxygen level

    For process furnaces/heaters, the reference oxygen level of the waste gases (OR ) is 3 vol-%.

    Conversion to reference oxygen level

    The emission concentration at the reference oxygen level is calculated using Equation 2:

    Equation 2:

    Formula

    where:

    ER

    =

    emission concentration at the reference oxygen level OR ;

    OR

    =

    reference oxygen level in vol-%;

    EM

    =

    measured emission concentration;

    OM

    =

    measured oxygen level in vol-%.

    Averaging periods for emissions to water

    Unless stated otherwise, the averaging periods associated with the environmental performance levels associated with the best available techniques (BAT-AEPLs) for emissions to water expressed in concentrations are defined as follows.

    Averaging period

    Definition

    Average of values obtained during one month

    Flow-weighted average value from 24-hour flow-proportional composite samples obtained during 1 month under normal operating conditions (3)

    Average of values obtained during one year

    Flow-weighted average value from 24-hour flow-proportional composite samples obtained during 1 year under normal operating conditions (3)

    Flow-weighted average concentrations of the parameter (cw ) are calculated using Equation 3:

    Equation 3:

    Formula

    where:

    n

    =

    number of measurement periods;

    ci

    =

    average concentration of the parameter during ith measurement period;

    qi

    =

    average flow rate during ith measurement period.

    Where BAT-AEPLs refer to specific emission loads, expressed as load of emitted substance per unit of production output, the average specific emission loads are calculated using Equation 1.

    Acronyms and definitions

    For the purposes of these BAT conclusions, the following acronyms and definitions apply.

    Term used

    Definition

    BAT-AEPL

    Environmental performance level associated with BAT, as described in Commission Implementing Decision 2012/119/EU (4). BAT-AEPLs include emission levels associated with the best available techniques (BAT-AELs) as defined in Article 3(13) of Directive 2010/75/EU

    BTX

    Collective term for benzene, toluene and ortho-/meta-/para-xylene or mixtures thereof

    CO

    Carbon monoxide

    Combustion unit

    Any technical apparatus in which fuels are oxidised in order to use the heat thus generated. Combustion units include boilers, engines, turbines and process furnaces/heaters, but do not include waste gas treatment units (e.g. a thermal/catalytic oxidiser used for the abatement of organic compounds)

    Continuous measurement

    Measurement using an ‘automated measuring system’ permanently installed on site

    Continuous process

    A process in which the raw materials are fed continuously into the reactor with the reaction products then fed into connected downstream separation and/or recovery units

    Copper

    The sum of copper and its compounds, in dissolved or particulate form, expressed as Cu

    DNT

    Dinitrotoluene

    EB

    Ethylbenzene

    EDC

    Ethylene dichloride

    EG

    Ethylene glycols

    EO

    Ethylene oxide

    Ethanolamines

    Collective term for monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine, or mixtures thereof

    Ethylene glycols

    Collective term for monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol, or mixtures thereof

    Existing plant

    A plant that is not a new plant

    Existing unit

    A unit that is not a new unit

    Flue-gas

    The exhaust gas exiting a combustion unit

    I-TEQ

    International toxic equivalent – derived by using the international toxic equivalence factors, as defined in Annex VI, part 2 to Directive 2010/75/EU

    Lower olefins

    Collective term for ethylene, propylene, butylene and butadiene, or mixtures thereof

    Major plant upgrade

    A major change in the design or technology of a plant with major adjustments or replacements of the process and/or abatement units and associated equipment

    MDA

    Methylene diphenyl diamine

    MDI

    Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate

    MDI plant

    Plant for the production of MDI from MDA via phosgenation

    New plant

    A plant first permitted on the site of the installation following the publication of these BAT conclusions or a complete replacement of a plant following the publication of these BAT conclusions

    New unit

    A unit first permitted following the publication of these BAT conclusions or a complete replacement of a unit following the publication of these BAT conclusions

    NOX precursors

    Nitrogen-containing compounds (e.g. ammonia, nitrous gases and nitrogen-containing organic compounds) in the input to a thermal treatment that lead to NOX emissions. Elementary nitrogen is not included

    PCDD/F

    Polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins and -furans

    Periodic measurement

    Measurement at specified time intervals using manual or automated methods

    Process furnace/heater

    Process furnaces or heaters are:

    combustion units whose flue-gases are used for the thermal treatment of objects or feed material through direct contact, e.g. in drying processes or chemical reactors; or

    combustion units whose radiant and/or conductive heat is transferred to objects or feed material through a solid wall without using an intermediary heat transfer fluid, e.g. furnaces or reactors heating a process stream used in the (petro-)chemical industry such as steam cracker furnaces.

    It should be noted that, as a consequence of the application of good energy recovery practices, some of the process furnaces/heaters may have an associated steam/electricity generation system. This is considered to be an integral design feature of the process furnace/heater that cannot be considered in isolation.

    Process off-gas

    The gas leaving a process which is further treated for recovery and/or abatement

    NOX

    The sum of nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), expressed as NO2

    Residues

    Substances or objects generated by the activities covered by the scope of this document, as waste or by-products

    RTO

    Regenerative thermal oxidiser

    SCR

    Selective catalytic reduction

    SMPO

    Styrene monomer and propylene oxide

    SNCR

    Selective non-catalytic reduction

    SRU

    Sulphur recovery unit

    TDA

    Toluene diamine

    TDI

    Toluene diisocyanate

    TDI plant

    Plant for the production of TDI from TDA via phosgenation

    TOC

    Total organic carbon, expressed as C; includes all organic compounds (in water)

    Total suspended solids (TSS)

    Mass concentration of all suspended solids, measured via filtration through glass fibre filters and gravimetry

    TVOC

    Total volatile organic carbon; total volatile organic compounds which are measured by a flame ionisation detector (FID) and expressed as total carbon

    Unit

    A segment/subpart of a plant in which a specific process or operation is carried out (e.g. reactor, scrubber, distillation column). Units can be new units or existing units

    Valid hourly or half-hourly average

    An hourly (or half-hourly) average is considered valid when there is no maintenance or malfunction of the automated measuring system

    VCM

    Vinyl chloride monomer

    VOCs

    Volatile organic compounds as defined in Article 3(45) of Directive 2010/75/EU

    1.   GENERAL BAT CONCLUSIONS

    The sector-specific BAT conclusions included in Sections 2 to 11 apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in this section.

    1.1.   Monitoring of emissions to air

    BAT 1:

    BAT is to monitor channelled emissions to air from process furnaces/heaters in accordance with EN standards and with at least the minimum frequency given in the table below. If EN standards are not available, BAT is to use ISO, national or other international standards that ensure the provision of data of an equivalent scientific quality.

    Substance/Parameter

    Standard(s) (5)

    Total rated thermal input (MWth) (6)

    Minimum monitoring frequency (7)

    Monitoring associated with

    CO

    Generic EN standards

    ≥ 50

    Continuous

    Table 2.1,

    Table 10.1

    EN 15058

    10 to < 50

    Once every 3 months (8)

    Dust (9)

    Generic EN standards and EN 13284-2

    ≥ 50

    Continuous

    BAT 5

    EN 13284-1

    10 to < 50

    Once every 3 months (8)

    NH3  (10)

    Generic EN standards

    ≥ 50

    Continuous

    BAT 7,

    Table 2.1

    No EN standard available

    10 to < 50

    Once every 3 months (8)

    NOX

    Generic EN standards

    ≥ 50

    Continuous

    BAT 4,

    Table 2.1,

    Table 10.1

    EN 14792

    10 to < 50

    Once every 3 months (8)

    SO2  (11)

    Generic EN standards

    ≥ 50

    Continuous

    BAT 6

    EN 14791

    10 to < 50

    Once every 3 months (8)

    BAT 2:

    BAT is to monitor channelled emissions to air other than from process furnaces/heaters in accordance with EN standards and with at least the minimum frequency given in the table below. If EN standards are not available, BAT is to use ISO, national or other international standards that ensure the provision of data of an equivalent scientific quality.

    Substance/Parameter

    Processes/Sources

    Standard(s)

    Minimum monitoring frequency

    Monitoring associated with

    Benzene

    Waste gas from the cumene oxidation unit in phenol production (12)

    No EN standard available

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 57

    All other processes/sources (14)

    BAT 10

    Cl2

    TDI/MDI (12)

    No EN standard available

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 66

    EDC/VCM

    BAT 76

    CO

    Thermal oxidiser

    EN 15058

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 13

    Lower olefins (decoking)

    No EN standard available (15)

    Once every year or once during decoking, if decoking is less frequent

    BAT 20

    EDC/VCM (decoking)

    BAT 78

    Dust

    Lower olefins (decoking)

    No EN standard available (16)

    Once every year or once during decoking, if decoking is less frequent

    BAT 20

    EDC/VCM (decoking)

    BAT 78

    All other processes/sources (14)

    EN 13284-1

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 11

    EDC

    EDC/VCM

    No EN standard available

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 76

    Ethylene oxide

    Ethylene oxide and ethylene glycols

    No EN standard available

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 52

    Formaldehyde

    Formaldehyde

    No EN standard available

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 45

    Gaseous chlorides, expressed as HCl

    TDI/MDI (12)

    EN 1911

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 66

    EDC/VCM

    BAT 76

    All other processes/sources (14)

    BAT 12

    NH3

    Use of SCR or SNCR

    No EN standard available

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 7

    NOX

    Thermal oxidiser

    EN 14792

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 13

    PCDD/F

    TDI/MDI (17)

    EN 1948-1, -2, and -3

    Once every 6 months (13)

    BAT 67

    PCDD/F

    EDC/VCM

    BAT 77

    SO2

    All processes/sources (14)

    EN 14791

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 12

    Tetrachloromethane

    TDI/MDI (12)

    No EN standard available

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 66

    TVOC

    TDI/MDI

    EN 12619

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 66

    EO (desorption of CO2 from scrubbing medium)

    Once every 6 months (13)

    BAT 51

    Formaldehyde

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 45

    Waste gas from the cumene oxidation unit in phenol production

    EN 12619

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 57

    Waste gas from other sources in phenol production when not combined with other waste gas streams

    Once every year

    Waste gas from the oxidation unit in hydrogen peroxide production

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 86

    EDC/VCM

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 76

    All other processes/sources (14)

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 10

    VCM

    EDC/VCM

    No EN standard available

    Once every month (13)

    BAT 76

    1.2.   Emissions to air

    1.2.1.   Emissions to air from process furnaces/heaters

    BAT 3:

    In order to reduce emissions to air of CO and unburnt substances from process furnaces/heaters, BAT is to ensure an optimised combustion.

    Optimised combustion is achieved by good design and operation of the equipment which includes optimisation of the temperature and residence time in the combustion zone, efficient mixing of the fuel and combustion air, and combustion control. Combustion control is based on the continuous monitoring and automated control of appropriate combustion parameters (e.g. O2, CO, fuel to air ratio, and unburnt substances).

    BAT 4:

    In order to reduce NOX emissions to air from process furnaces/heaters, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Choice of fuel

    See Section 12.3. This includes switching from liquid to gaseous fuels, taking into account the overall hydrocarbon balance

    The switch from liquid to gaseous fuels may be restricted by the design of the burners in the case of existing plants

    b.

    Staged combustion

    Staged combustion burners achieve lower NOX emissions by staging the injection of either air or fuel in the near burner region. The division of fuel or air reduces the oxygen concentration in the primary burner combustion zone, thereby lowering the peak flame temperature and reducing thermal NOX formation

    Applicability may be restricted by space availability when upgrading small process furnaces, thus limiting the retrofit of fuel/air staging without reducing capacity

    For existing EDC crackers, the applicability may be restricted by the design of the process furnace

    c.

    Flue-gas recirculation (external)

    Recirculation of part of the flue-gas to the combustion chamber to replace part of the fresh combustion air, with the effect of reducing the oxygen content and therefore cooling the temperature of the flame

    For existing process furnaces/heaters, the applicability may be restricted by their design.

    Not applicable to existing EDC crackers

    d.

    Flue-gas recirculation (internal)

    Recirculation of part of the flue-gas within the combustion chamber to replace part of the fresh combustion air, with the effect of reducing the oxygen content and therefore reducing the temperature of the flame

    For existing process furnaces/heaters, the applicability may be restricted by their design

    e.

    Low-NOX burner (LNB) or ultra-low-NOX burner (ULNB)

    See Section 12.3

    For existing process furnaces/heaters, the applicability may be restricted by their design

    f.

    Use of inert diluents

    ‘Inert’ diluents, e.g. steam, water, nitrogen, are used (either by being premixed with the fuel prior to its combustion or directly injected into the combustion chamber) to reduce the temperature of the flame. Steam injection may increase CO emissions

    Generally applicable

    g.

    Selective catalytic reduction (SCR)

    See Section 12.1

    Applicability to existing process furnaces/heaters may be restricted by space availability

    h.

    Selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR)

    See Section 12.1

    Applicability to existing process furnaces/heaters may be restricted by the temperature window (900–1 050 °C) and the residence time needed for the reaction.

    Not applicable to EDC crackers

    BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs): See Table 2.1 and Table 10.1.

    BAT 5:

    In order to prevent or reduce dust emissions to air from process furnaces/heaters, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Choice of fuel

    See Section 12.3. This includes switching from liquid to gaseous fuels, taking into account the overall hydrocarbon balance

    The switch from liquid to gaseous fuels may be restricted by the design of the burners in the case of existing plants

    b.

    Atomisation of liquid fuels

    Use of high pressure to reduce the droplet size of liquid fuel. Current optimal burner design generally includes steam atomisation

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Fabric, ceramic or metal filter

    See Section 12.1

    Not applicable when only combusting gaseous fuels

    BAT 6:

    In order to prevent or reduce SO2 emissions to air from process furnaces/heaters, BAT is to use one or both of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Choice of fuel

    See Section 12.3. This includes switching from liquid to gaseous fuels, taking into account the overall hydrocarbon balance

    The switch from liquid to gaseous fuels may be restricted by the design of the burners in the case of existing plants

    b.

    Caustic scrubbing

    See Section 12.1

    Applicability may be restricted by space availability

    1.2.2.   Emissions to air from the use of SCR or SNCR

    BAT 7:

    In order to reduce emissions to air of ammonia which is used in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) for the abatement of NOX emissions, BAT is to optimise the design and/or operation of SCR or SNCR (e.g. optimised reagent to NOX ratio, homogeneous reagent distribution and optimum size of the reagent drops).

    BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for emissions from a lower olefins cracker furnace when SCR or SNCR is used: Table 2.1.

    1.2.3.   Emissions to air from other processes/sources

    1.2.3.1.   Techniques to reduce emissions from other processes/sources

    BAT 8:

    In order to reduce the load of pollutants sent to the final waste gas treatment, and to increase resource efficiency, BAT is to use an appropriate combination of the techniques given below for process off-gas streams.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Recovery and use of excess or generated hydrogen

    Recovery and use of excess hydrogen or hydrogen generated from chemical reactions (e.g. for hydrogenation reactions). Recovery techniques such as pressure swing adsorption or membrane separation may be used to increase the hydrogen content

    Applicability may be restricted where the energy demand for recovery is excessive due to the low hydrogen content or when there is no demand for hydrogen

    b.

    Recovery and use of organic solvents and unreacted organic raw materials

    Recovery techniques such as compression, condensation, cryogenic condensation, membrane separation and adsorption may be used. The choice of technique may be influenced by safety considerations, e.g. presence of other substances or contaminants

    Applicability may be restricted where the energy demand for recovery is excessive due to the low organic content

    c.

    Use of spent air

    The large volume of spent air from oxidation reactions is treated and used as low-purity nitrogen

    Only applicable where there are available uses for low-purity nitrogen which do not compromise process safety

    d.

    Recovery of HCl by wet scrubbing for subsequent use

    Gaseous HCl is absorbed in water using a wet scrubber, which may be followed by purification (e.g. using adsorption) and/or concentration (e.g. using distillation) (see Section 12.1 for the technique descriptions). The recovered HCl is then used (e.g. as acid or to produce chlorine)

    Applicability may be restricted in the case of low HCl loads

    e.

    Recovery of H2S by regenerative amine scrubbing for subsequent use

    Regenerative amine scrubbing is used for recovering H2S from process off-gas streams and from the acidic off-gases of sour water stripping units. H2S is then typically converted to elemental sulphur in a sulphur recovery unit in a refinery (Claus process).

    Only applicable if a refinery is located nearby

    f.

    Techniques to reduce solids and/or liquids entrainment

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    BAT 9:

    In order to reduce the load of pollutants sent to the final waste gas treatment, and to increase energy efficiency, BAT is to send process off-gas streams with a sufficient calorific value to a combustion unit. BAT 8a and 8b have priority over sending process off-gas streams to a combustion unit.

    Applicability:

    Sending process off-gas streams to a combustion unit may be restricted due to the presence of contaminants or due to safety considerations.

    BAT 10:

    In order to reduce channelled emissions of organic compounds to air, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Condensation

    See Section 12.1. The technique is generally used in combination with further abatement techniques

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Adsorption

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Wet scrubbing

    See Section 12.1

    Only applicable to VOCs that can be absorbed in aqueous solutions

    d.

    Catalytic oxidiser

    See Section 12.1

    Applicability may be restricted by the presence of catalyst poisons

    e.

    Thermal oxidiser

    See Section 12.1. Instead of a thermal oxidiser, an incinerator for the combined treatment of liquid waste and waste gas may be used

    Generally applicable

    BAT 11:

    In order to reduce channelled dust emissions to air, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Cyclone

    See Section 12.1. The technique is used in combination with further abatement techniques

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Electrostatic precipitator

    See Section 12.1

    For existing units, the applicability may be restricted by space availability or safety considerations

    c.

    Fabric filter

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    d.

    Two-stage dust filter

    See Section 12.1

    e.

    Ceramic/metal filter

    See Section 12.1

    f.

    Wet dust scrubbing

    See Section 12.1

    BAT 12:

    In order to reduce emissions to air of sulphur dioxide and other acid gases (e.g. HCl), BAT is to use wet scrubbing.

    Description:

    For the description of wet scrubbing, see Section 12.1

    1.2.3.2.   Techniques to reduce emissions from a thermal oxidiser

    BAT 13:

    In order to reduce emissions to air of NOX, CO, and SO2 from a thermal oxidiser, BAT is to use an appropriate combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Main pollutant targeted

    Applicability

    a.

    Removal of high levels of NOX precursors from the process off-gas streams

    Remove (if possible, for reuse) high levels of NOX precursors prior to thermal treatment, e.g. by scrubbing, condensation or adsorption

    NOX

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Choice of support fuel

    See Section 12.3

    NOX, SO2

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Low-NOX burner (LNB)

    See Section 12.1

    NOX

    Applicability to existing units may be restricted by design and/or operational constraints

    d.

    Regenerative thermal oxidiser (RTO)

    See Section 12.1

    NOX

    Applicability to existing units may be restricted by design and/or operational constraints

    e.

    Combustion optimisation

    Design and operational techniques used to maximise the removal of organic compounds, while minimising emissions to air of CO and NOX (e.g. by controlling combustion parameters such as temperature and residence time)

    CO, NOX

    Generally applicable

    f.

    Selective catalytic reduction (SCR)

    See Section 12.1

    NOX

    Applicability to existing units may be restricted by space availability

    g.

    Selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR)

    See Section 12.1

    NOX

    Applicability to existing units may be restricted by the residence time needed for the reaction

    1.3.   Emissions to water

    BAT 14:

    In order to reduce the waste water volume, the pollutant loads discharged to a suitable final treatment (typically biological treatment), and emissions to water, BAT is to use an integrated waste water management and treatment strategy that includes an appropriate combination of process-integrated techniques, techniques to recover pollutants at source, and pretreatment techniques, based on the information provided by the inventory of waste water streams specified in the CWW BAT conclusions.

    1.4.   Resource efficiency

    BAT 15:

    In order to increase resource efficiency when using catalysts, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    a.

    Catalyst selection

    Select the catalyst to achieve the optimal balance between the following factors:

    catalyst activity;

    catalyst selectivity;

    catalyst lifetime (e.g. vulnerability to catalyst poisons);

    use of less toxic metals.

    b.

    Catalyst protection

    Techniques used upstream of the catalyst to protect it from poisons (e.g. raw material pretreatment)

    c.

    Process optimisation

    Control of reactor conditions (e.g. temperature, pressure) to achieve the optimal balance between conversion efficiency and catalyst lifetime

    d.

    Monitoring of catalyst performance

    Monitoring of the conversion efficiency to detect the onset of catalyst decay using suitable parameters (e.g. the heat of reaction and the CO2 formation in the case of partial oxidation reactions)

    BAT 16:

    In order to increase resource efficiency, BAT is to recover and reuse organic solvents.

    Description:

    Organic solvents used in processes (e.g. chemical reactions) or operations (e.g. extraction) are recovered using appropriate techniques (e.g. distillation or liquid phase separation), purified if necessary (e.g. using distillation, adsorption, stripping or filtration) and returned to the process or operation. The amount recovered and reused is process-specific.

    1.5.   Residues

    BAT 17:

    In order to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce the amount of waste being sent for disposal, BAT is to use an appropriate combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    Techniques to prevent or reduce the generation of waste

    a.

    Addition of inhibitors to distillation systems

    Selection (and optimisation of dosage) of polymerisation inhibitors that prevent or reduce the generation of residues (e.g. gums or tars). The optimisation of dosage may need to take into account that it can lead to higher nitrogen and/or sulphur content in the residues which could interfere with their use as a fuel

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Minimisation of high-boiling residue formation in distillation systems

    Techniques that reduce temperatures and residence times (e.g. packing instead of trays to reduce the pressure drop and thus the temperature; vacuum instead of atmospheric pressure to reduce the temperature)

    Only applicable to new distillation units or major plant upgrades

    Techniques to recover materials for reuse or recycling

    c.

    Material recovery (e.g. by distillation, cracking)

    Materials (i.e. raw materials, products, and by-products) are recovered from residues by isolation (e.g. distillation) or conversion (e.g. thermal/catalytic cracking, gasification, hydrogenation)

    Only applicable where there are available uses for these recovered materials

    d.

    Catalyst and adsorbent regeneration

    Regeneration of catalysts and adsorbents, e.g. using thermal or chemical treatment

    Applicability may be restricted where regeneration results in significant cross-media effects.

    Techniques to recover energy

    e.

    Use of residues as a fuel

    Some organic residues, e.g. tar, can be used as fuels in a combustion unit

    Applicability may be restricted by the presence of certain substances in the residues, making them unsuitable to use in a combustion unit and requiring disposal

    1.6.   Other than normal operating conditions

    BAT 18:

    In order to prevent or reduce emissions from equipment malfunctions, BAT is to use all of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Identification of critical equipment

    Equipment critical to the protection of the environment (‘critical equipment’) is identified on the basis of a risk assessment (e.g. using a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Asset reliability programme for critical equipment

    A structured programme to maximise equipment availability and performance which includes standard operating procedures, preventive maintenance (e.g. against corrosion), monitoring, recording of incidents, and continuous improvements

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Back-up systems for critical equipment

    Build and maintain back-up systems, e.g. vent gas systems, abatement units

    Not applicable if appropriate equipment availability can be demonstrated using technique b.

    BAT 19:

    In order to prevent or reduce emissions to air and water occurring during other than normal operating conditions, BAT is to implement measures commensurate with the relevance of potential pollutant releases for:

    (i)

    start-up and shutdown operations;

    (ii)

    other circumstances (e.g. regular and extraordinary maintenance work and cleaning operations of the units and/or of the waste gas treatment system) including those that could affect the proper functioning of the installation.

    2.   BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR LOWER OLEFINS PRODUCTION

    The BAT conclusions in this section apply to the production of lower olefins using the steam cracking process, and apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

    2.1.   Emissions to air

    2.1.1.   BAT-AELs for emissions to air from a lower olefins cracker furnace

    Table 2.1

    BAT-AELs for emissions to air of NOX and NH3 from a lower olefins cracker furnace

    Parameter

    BAT-AELs (18)  (19)  (20)

    (daily average or average over the sampling period)

    (mg/Nm3, at 3 vol-% O2)

    New furnace

    Existing furnace

    NOX

    60–100

    70–200

    NH3

    < 5–15 (21)

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 1.

    2.1.2.   Techniques to reduce emissions from decoking

    BAT 20:

    In order to reduce emissions to air of dust and CO from the decoking of the cracker tubes, BAT is to use an appropriate combination of the techniques to reduce the frequency of decoking given below and one or a combination of the abatement techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    Techniques to reduce the frequency of decoking

    a.

    Tube materials that retard coke formation

    Nickel present at the surface of the tubes catalyses coke formation. Employing materials that have lower nickel levels, or coating the interior tube surface with an inert material, can therefore retard the rate of coke build-up

    Only applicable to new units or major plant upgrades

    b.

    Doping of the raw material feed with sulphur compounds

    As nickel sulphides do not catalyse coke formation, doping the feed with sulphur compounds when they are not already present at the desired level can also help retard the build-up of coke, as this will promote the passivation of the tube surface

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Optimisation of thermal decoking

    Optimisation of operating conditions, i.e. airflow, temperature and steam content across the decoking cycle, to maximise coke removal

    Generally applicable

    Abatement techniques

    d.

    Wet dust scrubbing

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    e.

    Dry cyclone

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    f.

    Combustion of decoking waste gas in process furnace/heater

    The decoking waste gas stream is passed through the process furnace/heater during decoking where the coke particles (and CO) are further combusted

    Applicability for existing plants may be restricted by the design of the pipework systems or fire-duty restrictions

    2.2.   Emissions to water

    BAT 21:

    In order to prevent or reduce the amount of organic compounds and waste water discharged to waste water treatment, BAT is to maximise the recovery of hydrocarbons from the quench water of the primary fractionation stage and reuse the quench water in the dilution steam generation system.

    Description:

    The technique consists of ensuring an effective separation of organic and aqueous phases. The recovered hydrocarbons are recycled to the cracker or used as raw materials in other chemical processes. Organic recovery can be enhanced, e.g. through the use of steam or gas stripping, or the use of a reboiler. Treated quench water is reused within the dilution steam generation system. A quench water purge stream is discharged to downstream final waste water treatment to prevent the build-up of salts in the system.

    BAT 22:

    In order to reduce the organic load discharged to waste water treatment from the spent caustic scrubber liquor originating from the removal of H2S from the cracked gases, BAT is to use stripping.

    Description:

    For the description of stripping see Section 12.2. The stripping of scrubber liquors is carried out using a gaseous stream, which is then combusted (e.g. in the cracker furnace).

    BAT 23:

    In order to prevent or reduce the amount of sulphides discharged to waste water treatment from the spent caustic scrubber liquor originating from the removal of acid gases from the cracked gases, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Use of low-sulphur raw materials in the cracker feed

    Use of raw materials that have a low sulphur content or have been desulphurised

    Applicability may be restricted by a need for sulphur doping to reduce coke build-up

    b.

    Maximisation of the use of amine scrubbing for the removal of acid gases

    The scrubbing of the cracked gases with a regenerative (amine) solvent to remove acid gases, mainly H2S, to reduce the load on the downstream caustic scrubber

    Not applicable if the lower olefin cracker is located far away from an SRU. Applicability for existing plants may be restricted by the capacity of the SRU

    c.

    Oxidation

    Oxidation of sulphides present in the spent scrubbing liquor to sulphates, e.g. using air at elevated pressure and temperature (i.e. wet air oxidation) or an oxidising agent such as hydrogen peroxide

    Generally applicable

    3.   BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR AROMATICS PRODUCTION

    The BAT conclusions in this section apply to the production of benzene, toluene, ortho-, meta- and para-xylene (commonly known as BTX aromatics) and cyclohexane from the pygas by-product of steam crackers and from reformate/naphtha produced in catalytic reformers; and apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

    3.1.   Emissions to air

    BAT 24:

    In order to reduce the organic load from process off-gases sent to the final waste gas treatment and to increase resource efficiency, BAT is to recover organic materials by using BAT 8b. or, where that is not practicable, to recover energy from these process off-gases (see also BAT 9).

    BAT 25:

    In order to reduce emissions to air of dust and organic compounds from the regeneration of hydrogenation catalyst, BAT is to send the process off-gas from catalyst regeneration to a suitable treatment system.

    Description:

    The process off-gas is sent to wet or dry dust abatement devices to remove dust and then to a combustion unit or a thermal oxidiser to remove organic compounds in order to avoid direct emissions to air or flaring. The use of decoking drums alone is not sufficient.

    3.2.   Emissions to water

    BAT 26:

    In order to reduce the amount of organic compounds and waste water discharged from aromatic extraction units to waste water treatment, BAT is either to use dry solvents or to use a closed system for the recovery and reuse of water when wet solvents are used.

    BAT 27:

    In order to reduce the waste water volume and the organic load discharged to waste water treatment, BAT is to use an appropriate combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Water-free vacuum generation

    Use mechanical pumping systems in a closed circuit procedure, discharging only a small amount of water as blowdown, or use dry-running pumps. In some cases, waste-water-free vacuum generation can be achieved by use of the product as a barrier liquid in a mechanical vacuum pump, or by use of a gas stream from the production process

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Source segregation of aqueous effluents

    Aqueous effluents from aromatics plants are segregated from waste water from other sources in order to facilitate the recovery of raw materials or products

    For existing plants, the applicability may be restricted by site-specific drainage systems

    c.

    Liquid phase separation with recovery of hydrocarbons

    Separation of organic and aqueous phases with appropriate design and operation (e.g. sufficient residence time, phase boundary detection and control) to prevent any entrainment of undissolved organic material

    Generally applicable

    d

    Stripping with recovery of hydrocarbons

    See Section 12.2. Stripping can be used on individual or combined streams

    Applicability may be restricted when the concentration of hydrocarbons is low

    e.

    Reuse of water

    With further treatment of some waste water streams, water from stripping can be used as process water or as boiler feed water, replacing other sources of water

    Generally applicable

    3.3.   Resource efficiency

    BAT 28:

    In order to use resources efficiently, BAT is to maximise the use of co-produced hydrogen, e.g. from dealkylation reactions, as a chemical reagent or fuel by using BAT 8a. or, where that is not practicable, to recover energy from these process vents (see BAT 9).

    3.4.   Energy efficiency

    BAT 29:

    In order to use energy efficiently when using distillation, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Distillation optimisation

    For each distillation column, the number of trays, reflux ratio, feed location and, for extractive distillations, the solvents to feed ratio are optimised

    Applicability to existing units may be restricted by design, space availability and/or operational constraints

    b.

    Recovery of heat from column overhead gaseous stream

    Reuse condensation heat from the toluene and the xylene distillation column to supply heat elsewhere in the installation

    c.

    Single extractive distillation column

    In a conventional extractive distillation system, the separation would require a sequence of two separation steps (i.e. main distillation column with side column or stripper). In a single extractive distillation column, the separation of the solvent is carried out in a smaller distillation column that is incorporated into the column shell of the first column

    Only applicable to new plants or major plant upgrades.

    Applicability may be restricted for smaller capacity units as operability may be constrained by combining a number of operations into one piece of equipment

    d.

    Distillation column with a dividing wall

    In a conventional distillation system, the separation of a three-component mixture into its pure fractions requires a direct sequence of at least two distillation columns (or main columns with side columns). With a dividing wall column, separation can be carried out in just one piece of apparatus

    e.

    Thermally coupled distillation

    If distillation is carried out in two columns, energy flows in both columns can be coupled. The steam from the top of the first column is fed to a heat exchanger at the base of the second column

    Only applicable to new plants or major plant upgrades.

    Applicability depends on the set-up of the distillation columns and process conditions, e.g. working pressure

    3.5.   Residues

    BAT 30:

    In order to prevent or reduce the amount of spent clay being sent for disposal, BAT is to use one or both of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Selective hydrogenation of reformate or pygas

    Reduce the olefin content of reformate or pygas by hydrogenation. With fully hydrogenated raw materials, clay treaters have longer operating cycles

    Only applicable to plants using raw materials with a high olefin content

    b.

    Clay material selection

    Use a clay that lasts as long as possible for its given conditions (i.e. having surface/structural properties that increase the operating cycle length), or use a synthetic material that has the same function as the clay but that can be regenerated

    Generally applicable

    4.   BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR ETHYLBENZENE AND STYRENE MONOMER PRODUCTION

    The BAT conclusions in this section apply to the production of ethlybenzene using either the zeolite or AlCl3 catalysed alkylation process; and the production of styrene monomer either by ethylbenzene dehydrogenation or co-production with propylene oxide; and apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

    4.1.   Process selection

    BAT 31:

    In order to prevent or reduce emissions to air of organic compounds and acid gases, the generation of waste water and the amount of waste being sent for disposal from the alkylation of benzene with ethylene, BAT for new plants and major plant upgrades is to use the zeolite catalyst process.

    4.2.   Emissions to air

    BAT 32:

    In order to reduce the load of HCl sent to the final waste gas treatment from the alkylation unit in the AlCl3-catalysed ethylbenzene production process, BAT is to use caustic scrubbing.

    Description:

    For the description of caustic scrubbing, see Section 12.1.

    Applicability:

    Only applicable to existing plants using the AlCl3 catalysed ethylbenzene production process.

    BAT 33:

    In order to reduce the load of dust and HCl sent to the final waste gas treatment from catalyst replacement operations in the AlCl3-catalysed ethylbenzene production process, BAT is to use wet scrubbing and then use the spent scrubbing liquor as wash water in the post-alkylation reactor wash section.

    Description:

    For the description of wet scrubbing, see Section 12.1.

    BAT 34:

    In order to reduce the organic load sent to the final waste gas treatment from the oxidation unit in the SMPO production process, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Techniques to reduce liquids entrainment

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Condensation

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Adsorption

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    d.

    Scrubbing

    See Section 12.1. Scrubbing is carried out with a suitable solvent (e.g. the cool, recirculated ethylbenzene) to absorb ethylbenzene, which is recycled to the reactor

    For existing plants, the use of the recirculated ethylbenzene stream may be restricted by the plant design

    BAT 35:

    In order to reduce emissions of organic compounds to air from the acetophenone hydrogenation unit in the SMPO production process, during other than normal operating conditions (such as start-up events), BAT is to send the process off-gas to a suitable treatment system.

    4.3.   Emissions to water

    BAT 36:

    In order to reduce waste water generation from ethylbenzene dehydrogenation and to maximise the recovery of organic compounds, BAT is to use an appropriate combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Optimised liquid phase separation

    Separation of organic and aqueous phases with appropriate design and operation (e.g. sufficient residence time, phase boundary detection and control) to prevent any entrainment of undissolved organic material

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Steam stripping

    See Section 12.2

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Adsorption

    See Section 12.2

    Generally applicable

    d.

    Reuse of water

    Condensates from the reaction can be used as process water or as boiler feed after steam stripping (see technique b.) and adsorption (see technique c.)

    Generally applicable

    BAT 37:

    In order to reduce emissions to water of organic peroxides from the oxidation unit in the SMPO production process and to protect the downstream biological waste water treatment plant, BAT is to pretreat waste water containing organic peroxides using hydrolysis before it is combined with other waste water streams and discharged to the final biological treatment.

    Description:

    For the description of hydrolysis see Section 12.2.

    4.4.   Resource efficiency

    BAT 38:

    In order to recover organic compounds from ethylbenzene dehydrogenation prior to the recovery of hydrogen (see BAT 39), BAT is to use one or both of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Condensation

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Scrubbing

    See Section 12.1. The absorbent consists of commercial organic solvents (or tar from ethylbenzene plants) (see BAT 42b). VOCs are recovered by stripping of the scrubber liquor

    BAT 39:

    In order to increase resource efficiency, BAT is to recover the co-produced hydrogen from ethylbenzene dehydrogenation, and to use it either as a chemical reagent or to combust the dehydrogenation off-gas as a fuel (e.g. in the steam superheater).

    BAT 40:

    In order to increase the resource efficiency of the acetophenone hydrogenation unit in the SMPO production process, BAT is to minimise excess hydrogen or to recycle hydrogen by using BAT 8a. If BAT 8a is not applicable, BAT is to recover energy (see BAT 9).

    4.5.   Residues

    BAT 41:

    In order to reduce the amount of waste being sent for disposal from spent catalyst neutralisation in the AlCl3-catalysed ethylbenzene production process, BAT is to recover residual organic compounds by stripping and then concentrate the aqueous phase to give a usable AlCl3 by-product.

    Description:

    Steam stripping is first used to remove VOCs, then the spent catalyst solution is concentrated by evaporation to give a usable AlCl3 by-product. The vapour phase is condensed to give a HCl solution that is recycled into the process.

    BAT 42:

    In order to prevent or reduce the amount of waste tar being sent for disposal from the distillation unit of ethylbenzene production, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Material recovery (e.g. by distillation, cracking)

    See BAT 17c

    Only applicable where there are available uses for these recovered materials

    b.

    Use of tar as an absorbent for scrubbing

    See section 12.1. Use the tar as an absorbent in the scrubbers used in styrene monomer production by ethylbenzene dehydrogenation, instead of commercial organic solvents (see BAT 38b). The extent to which tar can be used depends on the scrubber capacity

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Use of tar as a fuel

    See BAT 17e

    Generally applicable

    BAT 43:

    In order to reduce the generation of coke (which is both a catalyst poison and a waste) from units producing styrene by ethylbenzene dehydrogenation, BAT is to operate at the lowest possible pressure that is safe and practicable.

    BAT 44:

    In order to reduce the amount of organic residues being sent for disposal from styrene monomer production including its co-production with propylene oxide, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Addition of inhibitors to distillation systems

    See BAT 17a

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Minimisation of high-boiling residue formation in distillation systems

    See BAT 17b

    Only applicable to new distillation units or major plant upgrades

    c.

    Use of residues as a fuel

    See BAT 17e

    Generally applicable

    5.   BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR FORMALDEHYDE PRODUCTION

    The BAT conclusions in this section apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

    5.1.   Emissions to air

    BAT 45:

    In order to reduce emissions of organic compounds to air from formaldehyde production and to use energy efficiently, BAT is to use one of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Send the waste gas stream to a combustion unit

    See BAT 9

    Only applicable to the silver process

    b.

    Catalytic oxidiser with energy recovery

    See Section 12.1. Energy is recovered as steam

    Only applicable to the metal oxide process. The ability to recover energy may be restricted in small stand-alone plants

    c.

    Thermal oxidiser with energy recovery

    See Section 12.1. Energy is recovered as steam

    Only applicable to the silver process


    Table 5.1

    BAT-AELs for emissions of TVOC and formaldehyde to air from formaldehyde production

    Parameter

    BAT-AEL

    (daily average or average over the sampling period)

    (mg/Nm3, no correction for oxygen content)

    TVOC

    < 5–30 (22)

    Formaldehyde

    2–5

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 2.

    5.2.   Emissions to water

    BAT 46:

    In order to prevent or reduce waste water generation (e.g. from cleaning, spills and condensates) and the organic load discharged to further waste water treatment, BAT is to use one or both of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Reuse of water

    Aqueous streams (e.g. from cleaning, spills and condensates) are recirculated into the process mainly to adjust the formaldehyde product concentration. The extent to which water can be reused depends on the desired formaldehyde concentration

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Chemical pretreatment

    Conversion of formaldehyde into other substances which are less toxic, e.g. by addition of sodium sulphite or by oxidation

    Only applicable to effluents which, due to their formaldehyde content, could have a negative effect on the downstream biological waste water treatment

    5.3.   Residues

    BAT 47:

    In order to reduce the amount of paraformaldehyde-containing waste being sent for disposal, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Minimisation of paraformaldehyde generation

    The formation of paraformaldehyde is minimised by improved heating, insulation and flow circulation

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Material recovery

    Paraformaldehyde is recovered by dissolution in hot water where it undergoes hydrolysis and depolymerisation to give a formaldehyde solution, or is reused directly in other processes

    Not applicable when the recovered paraformaldehyde cannot be used due to its contamination

    c.

    Use of residues as a fuel

    Paraformaldehyde is recovered and used as a fuel

    Only applicable when technique b. cannot be applied

    6.   BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR ETHYLENE OXIDE AND ETHYLENE GLYCOLS PRODUCTION

    The BAT conclusions in this section apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

    6.1.   Process selection

    BAT 48:

    In order to reduce the consumption of ethylene and emissions to air of organic compounds and CO2, BAT for new plants and major plant upgrades is to use oxygen instead of air for the direct oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide.

    6.2.   Emissions to air

    BAT 49:

    In order to recover ethylene and energy and to reduce emissions of organic compounds to air from the EO plant, BAT is to use both of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    Techniques to recover organic material for reuse or recycling

    a.

    Use of pressure swing adsorption or membrane separation to recover ethylene from the inerts purge

    With the pressure swing adsorption technique, the target gas (in this case ethylene) molecules are adsorbed on a solid (e.g. molecular sieve) at high pressure, and subsequently desorbed in more concentrated form at lower pressure for reuse or recycling.

    For membrane separation, see Section 12.1

    Applicability may be restricted when the energy demand is excessive due to a low ethylene mass flow

    Energy recovery techniques

    b.

    Send the inerts purge stream to a combustion unit

    See BAT 9

    Generally applicable

    BAT 50:

    In order to reduce the consumption of ethylene and oxygen and to reduce CO2 emissions to air from the EO unit, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques in BAT 15 and to use inhibitors.

    Description:

    The addition of small amounts of an organochlorine inhibitor (such as ethylchloride or dichloroethane) to the reactor feed in order to reduce the proportion of ethylene that is fully oxidised to carbon dioxide. Suitable parameters for the monitoring of catalyst performance include the heat of reaction and the CO2 formation per tonne of ethylene feed.

    BAT 51:

    In order to reduce emissions of organic compounds to air from the desorption of CO2 from the scrubbing medium used in the EO plant, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    Process-integrated techniques

    a.

    Staged CO2 desorption

    The technique consists of conducting the depressurisation necessary to liberate the carbon dioxide from the absorption medium in two steps rather than one. This allows an initial hydrocarbon-rich stream to be isolated for potential recirculation, leaving a relatively clean carbon dioxide stream for further treatment.

    Only applicable to new plants or major plant upgrades

    Abatement techniques

    b.

    Catalytic oxidiser

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Thermal oxidiser

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable


    Table 6.1

    BAT-AEL for emissions of organic compounds to air from the desorption of CO2 from the scrubbing medium used in the EO plant

    Parameter

    BAT-AEL

    TVOC

    1–10 g/t of EO produced (23)  (24)  (25)

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 2.

    BAT 52:

    In order to reduce EO emissions to air, BAT is to use wet scrubbing for waste gas streams containing EO.

    Description:

    For the description of wet scrubbing, see Section 12.1. Scrubbing with water to remove EO from waste gas streams before direct release or before further abatement of organic compounds.

    BAT 53:

    In order to prevent or reduce emissions of organic compounds to air from cooling of the EO absorbent in the EO recovery unit, BAT is to use one of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Indirect cooling

    Use indirect cooling systems (with heat exchangers) instead of open cooling systems

    Only applicable to new plants or major plant upgrades

    b.

    Complete EO removal by stripping

    Maintain appropriate operating conditions and use online monitoring of the EO stripper operation to ensure that all EO is stripped out; and provide adequate protection systems to avoid EO emissions during other than normal operating conditions

    Only applicable when technique a. cannot be applied

    6.3.   Emissions to water

    BAT 54:

    In order to reduce the waste water volume and to reduce the organic load discharged from the product purification to final waste water treatment, BAT is to use one or both of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Use of the purge from the EO plant in the EG plant

    The purge streams from the EO plant are sent to the EG process and not discharged as waste water. The extent to which the purge can be reused in the EG process depends on EG product quality considerations.

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Distillation

    Distillation is a technique used to separate compounds with different boiling points by partial evaporation and recondensation.

    The technique is used in EO and EG plants to concentrate aqueous streams to recover glycols or enable their disposal (e.g. by incineration, instead of their discharge as waste water) and to enable the partial reuse/recycling of water.

    Only applicable to new plants or major plant upgrades

    6.4.   Residues

    BAT 55:

    In order to reduce the amount of organic waste being sent for disposal from the EO and EG plant, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Hydrolysis reaction optimisation

    Optimisation of the water to EO ratio to both achieve lower co-production of heavier glycols and avoid excessive energy demand for the dewatering of glycols. The optimum ratio depends on the target output of di- and triethylene glycols

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Isolation of by-products at EO plants for use

    For EO plants, the concentrated organic fraction obtained after the dewatering of the liquid effluent from EO recovery is distilled to give valuable short-chain glycols and a heavier residue

    Only applicable to new plants or major plant upgrades

    c.

    Isolation of by-products at EG plants for use

    For EG plants, the longer chain glycols fraction can either be used as such or further fractionated to yield valuable glycols

    Generally applicable

    7.   BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR PHENOL PRODUCTION

    The BAT conclusions in this section apply to the production of phenol from cumene, and apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

    7.1.   Emissions to air

    BAT 56:

    In order to recover raw materials and to reduce the organic load sent from the cumene oxidation unit to the final waste gas treatment, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    Process-integrated techniques

    a.

    Techniques to reduce liquids entrainment

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    Techniques to recover organic material for reuse

    b.

    Condensation

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Adsorption (regenerative)

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    BAT 57:

    In order to reduce emissions of organic compounds to air, BAT is to use technique d given below for waste gas from the cumene oxidation unit. For any other individual or combined waste gas streams, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Send the waste gas stream to a combustion unit

    See BAT 9

    Only applicable where there are available uses for the waste gas as gaseous fuel

    b.

    Adsorption

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Thermal oxidiser

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    d.

    Regenerative thermal oxidiser (RTO)

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable


    Table 7.1

    BAT-AELs for emissions of TVOC and benzene to air from the production of phenol

    Parameter

    Source

    BAT-AEL

    (daily average or average over the sampling period)

    (mg/Nm3, no correction for oxygen content)

    Conditions

    Benzene

    Cumene oxidation unit

    < 1

    The BAT-AEL applies if the emission exceeds 1 g/h

    TVOC

    5–30

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 2.

    7.2.   Emissions to water

    BAT 58:

    In order to reduce emissions to water of organic peroxides from the oxidation unit and, if necessary, to protect the downstream biological waste water treatment plant, BAT is to pretreat waste water containing organic peroxides using hydrolysis before it is combined with other waste water streams and discharged to the final biological treatment.

    Description:

    For the description of hydrolysis, see Section 12.2. Waste water (mainly from the condensers and the adsorber regeneration, after phase separation) is treated thermally (at temperatures above 100 °C and a high pH) or catalytically to decompose organic peroxides to non-ecotoxic and more readily biodegradable compounds.

    Table 7.2

    BAT-AEPL for organic peroxides at the outlet of the peroxides decomposition unit

    Parameter

    BAT-AEPL

    (average value from at least three spot samples taken at intervals of at least half an hour)

    Associated monitoring

    Total organic peroxides, expressed as cumene hydroperoxide

    < 100 mg/l

    No EN standard available. The minimum monitoring frequency is once every day and may be reduced to four times per year if adequate performance of the hydrolysis is demonstrated by controlling the process parameters (e.g. pH, temperature and residence time)

    BAT 59:

    In order to reduce the organic load discharged from the cleavage unit and the distillation unit to further waste water treatment, BAT is to recover phenol and other organic compounds (e.g. acetone) using extraction followed by stripping.

    Description:

    Recovery of phenol from phenol-containing waste water streams by adjustment of the pH to < 7, followed by extraction with a suitable solvent and stripping of the waste water to remove residual solvent and other low-boiling compounds (e.g. acetone). For the description of the treatment techniques, see Section 12.2.

    7.3.   Residues

    BAT 60:

    In order to prevent or reduce the amount of tar being sent for disposal from phenol purification, BAT is to use one or both of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Material recovery

    (e.g. by distillation, cracking)

    See BAT 17c. Use distillation to recover cumene, α-methylstyrene phenol, etc.

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Use of tar as a fuel

    See BAT 17e.

    Generally applicable

    8.   BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR ETHANOLAMINES PRODUCTION

    The BAT conclusions in this section apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

    8.1.   Emissions to air

    BAT 61:

    In order to reduce ammonia emissions to air and to reduce the consumption of ammonia from the aqueous ethanolamines production process, BAT is to use a multistage wet scrubbing system.

    Description:

    For the description of wet scrubbing, see Section 12.1. Unreacted ammonia is recovered from the off-gas of the ammonia stripper and also from the evaporation unit by wet scrubbing in at least two stages followed by ammonia recycling into the process.

    8.2.   Emissions to water

    BAT 62:

    In order to prevent or reduce emissions of organic compounds to air and emissions to water of organic substances from the vacuum systems, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Water-free vacuum generation

    Use of dry-running pumps, e.g. positive displacement pumps

    Applicability to existing plants may be restricted by design and/or operational constraints

    b.

    Use of water ring vacuum pumps with recirculation of the ring water

    The water used as the sealant liquid of the pump is recirculated to the pump casing via a closed loop with only small purges, so that waste water generation is minimised

    Only applicable when technique a. cannot be applied.

    Not applicable for triethanolamine distillation

    c.

    Reuse of aqueous streams from vacuum systems in the process

    Return aqueous streams from water ring pumps or steam ejectors to the process for recovery of organic material and reuse of the water. The extent to which water can be reused in the process is restricted by the water demand of the process

    Only applicable when technique a. cannot be applied

    d.

    Condensation of organic compounds (amines) upstream of vacuum systems

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    8.3.   Raw material consumption

    BAT 63:

    In order to use ethylene oxide efficiently, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Use of excess ammonia

    Maintaining a high level of ammonia in the reaction mixture is an effective way of ensuring that all the ethylene oxide is converted into products

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Optimisation of the water content in the reaction

    Water is used to accelerate the main reactions without changing the product distribution and without significant side reactions with ethylene oxide to glycols

    Only applicable for the aqueous process

    c.

    Optimise the process operating conditions

    Determine and maintain the optimum operating conditions (e.g. temperature, pressure, residence time) to maximise the conversion of ethylene oxide to the desired mix of mono-, di-, triethanolamines

    Generally applicable

    9.   BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE (TDI) AND METHYLENE DIPHENYL DIISOCYANATE (MDI) PRODUCTION

    The BAT conclusions in this section cover the production of:

    dinitrotoluene (DNT) from toluene;

    toluene diamine (TDA) from DNT;

    TDI from TDA;

    methylene diphenyl diamine (MDA) from aniline;

    MDI from MDA;

    and apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

    9.1.   Emissions to air

    BAT 64:

    In order to reduce the load of organic compounds, NOX, NOX precursors and SOX sent to the final waste gas treatment (see BAT 66) from DNT, TDA and MDA plants, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Condensation

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Wet scrubbing

    See Section 12.1. In many cases, scrubbing efficiency is enhanced by the chemical reaction of the absorbed pollutant (partial oxidation of NOX with recovery of nitric acid, removal of acids with caustic solution, removal of amines with acidic solutions, reaction of aniline with formaldehyde in caustic solution)

    c.

    Thermal reduction

    See Section 12.1

    Applicability to existing units may be restricted by space availability

    d.

    Catalytic reduction

    See Section 12.1

    BAT 65:

    In order to reduce the load of HCl and phosgene sent to the final waste gas treatment and to increase resource efficiency, BAT is to recover HCl and phosgene from the process off-gas streams of TDI and/or MDI plants by using an appropriate combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Absorption of HCl by wet scrubbing

    See BAT 8d.

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Absorption of phosgene by scrubbing

    See Section 12.1. The excess phosgene is absorbed using an organic solvent and returned to the process

    Generally applicable

    c.

    HCl/phosgene condensation

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    BAT 66:

    In order to reduce emissions to air of organic compounds (including chlorinated hydrocarbons), HCl and chlorine, BAT is to treat combined waste gas streams using a thermal oxidiser followed by caustic scrubbing.

    Description:

    The individual waste gas streams from DNT, TDA, TDI, MDA and MDI plants are combined to one or several waste gas streams for treatment. (See Section 12.1 for the descriptions of thermal oxidiser and scrubbing.) Instead of a thermal oxidiser, an incinerator may be used for the combined treatment of liquid waste and the waste gas. Caustic scrubbing is wet scrubbing with caustic added to improve the HCl and chlorine removal efficiency.

    Table 9.1

    BAT-AELs for emissions of TVOC, tetrachloromethane, Cl2, HCl and PCDD/F to air from the TDI/MDI process

    Parameter

    BAT-AEL

    (mg/Nm3, no correction for oxygen content)

    TVOC

    1–5 (26)  (27)

    Tetrachloromethane

    ≤ 0,5 g/t MDI produced (28)

    ≤ 0,7 g/t TDI produced (28)

    Cl2

    < 1 (27)  (29)

    HCl

    2–10 (27)

    PCDD/F

    0,025–0,08 ng I-TEQ/Nm3  (27)

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 2.

    BAT 67:

    In order to reduce emissions to air of PCDD/F from a thermal oxidiser (see Section 12.1) treating process off-gas streams containing chlorine and/or chlorinated compounds, BAT is to use technique a, if necessary followed by technique b, given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Rapid quenching

    Rapid cooling of exhaust gases to prevent the de novo synthesis of PCDD/F

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Activated carbon injection

    Removal of PCDD/F by adsorption onto activated carbon that is injected into the exhaust gas, followed by dust abatement

    BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs): See Table 9.1.

    9.2.   Emissions to water

    BAT 68:

    BAT is to monitor emissions to water with at least the frequency given below and in accordance with EN standards. If EN standards are not available, BAT is to use ISO, national or other international standards that ensure the provision of data of an equivalent scientific quality.

    Substance/Parameter

    Plant

    Sampling point

    Standard(s)

    Minimum monitoring frequency

    Monitoring associated with

    TOC

    DNT plant

    Outlet of the pretreatment unit

    EN 1484

    Once every week (30)

    BAT 70

    MDI and/or TDI plant

    Outlet of the plant

    Once every month

    BAT 72

    Aniline

    MDA plant

    Outlet of the final waste water treatment

    No EN standard available

    Once every month

    BAT 14

    Chlorinated solvents

    MDI and/or TDI plant

    Various EN standards available (e.g. EN ISO 15680)

    BAT 14

    BAT 69:

    In order to reduce the load of nitrite, nitrate and organic compounds discharged from the DNT plant to waste water treatment, BAT is to recover raw materials, to reduce the waste water volume and to reuse water by using an appropriate combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Use of highly concentrated nitric acid

    Use highly concentrated HNO3 (e.g. about 99 %) to increase the process efficiency and to reduce the waste water volume and the load of pollutants

    Applicability to existing units may be restricted by design and/or operational constraints

    b.

    Optimised regeneration and recovery of spent acid

    Perform the regeneration of the spent acid from the nitration reaction in such a way that water and the organic content are also recovered for reuse, by using an appropriate combination of evaporation/distillation, stripping and condensation

    Applicability to existing units may be restricted by design and/or operational constraints

    c.

    Reuse of process water to wash DNT

    Reuse process water from the spent acid recovery unit and the nitration unit to wash DNT

    Applicability to existing units may be restricted by design and/or operational constraints

    d.

    Reuse of water from the first washing step in the process

    Nitric and sulphuric acid are extracted from the organic phase using water. The acidified water is returned to the process, for direct reuse or further processing to recover materials

    Generally applicable

    e.

    Multiple use and recirculation of water

    Reuse water from washing, rinsing and equipment cleaning e.g. in the counter-current multistep washing of the organic phase

    Generally applicable

    BAT-associated waste water volume: See Table 9.2.

    BAT 70:

    In order to reduce the load of poorly biodegradable organic compounds discharged from the DNT plant to further waste water treatment, BAT is to pretreat the waste water using one or both of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Extraction

    See Section 12.2

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Chemical oxidation

    See Section 12.2


    Table 9.2

    BAT-AEPLs for discharge from the DNT plant at the outlet of the pretreatment unit to further waste water treatment

    Parameter

    BAT-AEPL

    (average of values obtained during 1 month)

    TOC

    < 1 kg/t DNT produced

    Specific waste water volume

    < 1 m3/t DNT produced

    The associated monitoring for TOC is in BAT 68.

    BAT 71:

    In order to reduce waste water generation and the organic load discharged from the TDA plant to waste water treatment, BAT is to use a combination of techniques a., b. and c. and then to use technique d. as given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Evaporation

    See Section 12.2

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Stripping

    See Section 12.2

    c.

    Extraction

    See Section 12.2

    d.

    Reuse of water

    Reuse of water (e.g. from condensates or from scrubbing) in the process or in other processes (e.g. in a DNT plant). The extent to which water can be reused at existing plants may be restricted by technical constraints

    Generally applicable


    Table 9.3

    BAT-AEPL for discharge from the TDA plant to waste water treatment

    Parameter

    BAT-AEPL

    (average of values obtained during 1 month)

    Specific waste water volume

    < 1 m3/t TDA produced

    BAT 72:

    In order to prevent or reduce the organic load discharged from MDI and/or TDI plants to final waste water treatment, BAT is to recover solvents and reuse water by optimising the design and operation of the plant.

    Table 9.4

    BAT-AEPL for discharge to waste water treatment from a TDI or MDI plant

    Parameter

    BAT-AEPL

    (average of values obtained during 1 year)

    TOC

    < 0,5 kg/t product (TDI or MDI) (31)

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 68.

    BAT 73:

    In order to reduce the organic load discharged from a MDA plant to further waste water treatment, BAT is to recover organic material using one or a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Evaporation

    See Section 12.2. Used to facilitate extraction (see technique b)

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Extraction

    See Section 12.2. Used to recover/remove MDA

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Steam stripping

    See Section 12.2. Used to recover/remove aniline and methanol

    For methanol, the applicability depends on the assessment of alternative options as part of the waste water management and treatment strategy

    d.

    Distillation

    See Section 12.2. Used to recover/remove aniline and methanol

    9.3.   Residues

    BAT 74:

    In order to reduce the amount of organic residues being sent for disposal from the TDI plant, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    Techniques to prevent or reduce the generation of waste

    a.

    Minimisation of high-boiling residue formation in distillation systems

    See BAT 17b.

    Only applicable to new distillation units or major plant upgrades

    Techniques to recover organic material for reuse or recycling

    b.

    Increased recovery of TDI by evaporation or further distillation

    Residues from distillation are additionally processed to recover the maximum amount of TDI contained therein, e.g. using a thin film evaporator or other short-path distillation units followed by a dryer.

    Only applicable to new distillation units or major plant upgrades

    c.

    Recovery of TDA by chemical reaction

    Tars are processed to recover TDA by chemical reaction (e.g. hydrolysis).

    Only applicable to new plants or major plant upgrades

    10.   BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR ETHYLENE DICHLORIDE AND VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER PRODUCTION

    The BAT conclusions in this section apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

    10.1.   Emissions to air

    10.1.1.   BAT-AEL for emissions to air from an EDC cracker furnace

    Table 10.1

    BAT-AELs for emissions to air of NOX from an EDC cracker furnace

    Parameter

    BAT-AELs (32)  (33)  (34)

    (daily average or average over the sampling period)

    (mg/Nm3, at 3 vol-% O2)

    NOx

    50–100

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 1.

    10.1.2.   Techniques and BAT-AEL for emissions to air from other sources

    BAT 75:

    In order to reduce the organic load sent to the final waste gas treatment and to reduce raw material consumption, BAT is to use all of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    Process-integrated techniques

    a.

    Control of feed quality

    Control the quality of the feed to minimise the formation of residues (e.g. propane and acetylene content of ethylene; bromine content of chlorine; acetylene content of hydrogen chloride)

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Use of oxygen instead of air for oxychlorination

    Only applicable to new oxychlorination plants or major oxychlorination plant upgrades

    Techniques to recover organic material

    c.

    Condensation using chilled water or refrigerants

    Use condensation (see Section 12.1) with chilled water or refrigerants such as ammonia or propylene to recover organic compounds from individual vent gas streams before sending them to final treatment

    Generally applicable

    BAT 76:

    In order to reduce emissions to air of organic compounds (including halogenated compounds), HCl and Cl2, BAT is to treat the combined waste gas streams from EDC and/or VCM production by using a thermal oxidiser followed by two-stage wet scrubbing.

    Description:

    For the description of thermal oxidiser, wet and caustic scrubbing, see Section 12.1. Thermal oxidation can be carried out in a liquid waste incineration plant. In this case, the oxidation temperature exceeds 1 100 °C with a minimum residence time of 2 seconds, with subsequent rapid cooling of exhaust gases to prevent the de novo synthesis of PCDD/F.

    Scrubbing is carried out in two stages: Wet scrubbing with water and, typically, recovery of hydrochloric acid, followed by wet scrubbing with caustic.

    Table 10.2

    BAT-AELs for emissions of TVOC, the sum of EDC and VCM, Cl2, HCl and PCDD/F to air from the production of EDC/VCM

    Parameter

    BAT-AEL

    (daily average or average over the sampling period)

    (mg/Nm3, at 11 vol-% O2)

    TVOC

    0,5–5

    Sum of EDC and VCM

    < 1

    Cl2

    < 1–4

    HCl

    2–10

    PCDD/F

    0,025–0,08 ng I-TEQ/Nm3

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 2.

    BAT 77:

    In order to reduce emissions to air of PCDD/F from a thermal oxidiser (see Section 12.1) treating process off-gas streams containing chlorine and/or chlorinated compounds, BAT is to use technique a, if necessary followed by technique b, given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Rapid quenching

    Rapid cooling of exhaust gases to prevent the de novo synthesis of PCDD/F

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Activated carbon injection

    Removal of PCDD/F by adsorption onto activated carbon that is injected into the exhaust gas, followed by dust abatement

    BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs): See Table 10.2.

    BAT 78:

    In order to reduce emissions to air of dust and CO from the decoking of the cracker tubes, BAT is to use one of the techniques to reduce the frequency of decoking given below and one or a combination of the abatement techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    Techniques to reduce the frequency of decoking

    a.

    Optimisation of thermal decoking

    Optimisation of operating conditions, i.e. airflow, temperature and steam content across the decoking cycle, to maximise coke removal

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Optimisation of mechanical decoking

    Optimise mechanical decoking (e.g. sand jetting) to maximise coke removal as dust

    Generally applicable

    Abatement techniques

    c.

    Wet dust scrubbing

    See Section 12.1

    Only applicable to thermal decoking

    d.

    Cyclone

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    e.

    Fabric filter

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    10.2.   Emissions to water

    BAT 79:

    BAT is to monitor emissions to water with at least the frequency given below and in accordance with EN standards. If EN standards are not available, BAT is to use ISO, national or other international standards that ensure the provision of data of an equivalent scientific quality.

    Substance/Parameter

    Plant

    Sampling point

    Standard(s)

    Minimum monitoring frequency

    Monitoring associated with

    EDC

    All plants

    Outlet of the waste water stripper

    EN ISO 10301

    Once every day

    BAT 80

    VCM

    Copper

    Oxy-chlorination plant using the fluidised-bed design

    Outlet of the pretreatment for solids removal

    Various EN standards available, e.g. EN ISO 11885, EN ISO 15586, EN ISO 17294-2

    Once every day (35)

    BAT 81

    PCDD/F

    No EN standard available

    Once every 3 months

    Total suspended solids (TSS)

    EN 872

    Once every day (35)

    Copper

    Oxy-chlorination plant using the fluidised-bed design

    Outlet of the final waste water treatment

    Various EN standards available, e.g. EN ISO 11885, EN ISO 15586, EN ISO 17294-2

    Once every month

    BAT 14 and BAT 81

    EDC

    All plants

    EN ISO 10301

    Once every month

    BAT 14 and BAT 80

    PCDD/F

    No EN standard available

    Once every 3 months

    BAT 14 and BAT 81

    BAT 80:

    In order to reduce the load of chlorinated compounds discharged to further waste water treatment and to reduce emissions to air from the waste water collection and treatment system, BAT is to use hydrolysis and stripping as close as possible to the source.

    Description:

    For the description of hydrolysis and stripping, see Section 12.2. Hydrolysis is carried out at alkaline pH to decompose chloral hydrate from the oxychlorination process. This results in the formation of chloroform which is then removed by stripping, together with EDC and VCM.

    BAT-associated environmental performance levels (BAT-AEPLs): See Table 10.3.

    BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for direct emissions to a receiving water body at the outlet of the final treatment: See Table 10.5.

    Table 10.3

    BAT-AEPLs for chlorinated hydrocarbons in waste water at the outlet of a waste water stripper

    Parameter

    BAT-AEPL

    (average of values obtained during 1 month) (36)

    EDC

    0,1–0,4 mg/l

    VCM

    < 0,05 mg/l

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 79.

    BAT 81:

    In order to reduce emissions to water of PCDD/F and copper from the oxychlorination process, BAT is to use technique a. or, alternatively, technique b together with an appropriate combination of techniques c., d. and e. given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    Process-integrated techniques

    a.

    Fixed-bed design for oxychlorination

    Oxychlorination reaction design: in the fixed-bed reactor, catalyst particulates entrained in the overhead gaseous stream are reduced

    Not applicable to existing plants using the fluidised-bed design

    b.

    Cyclone or dry catalyst filtration system

    A cyclone or a dry catalyst filtration system reduces catalyst losses from the reactor and therefore also their transfer to waste water

    Only applicable to plants using the fluidised-bed design

    Waste water pretreatment

    c.

    Chemical precipitation

    See Section 12.2. Chemical precipitation is used to remove dissolved copper

    Only applicable to plants using the fluidised-bed design

    d.

    Coagulation and flocculation

    See Section 12.2

    Only applicable to plants using the fluidised-bed design

    e.

    Membrane filtration (micro- or ultrafiltration)

    See Section 12.2

    Only applicable to plants using the fluidised-bed design


    Table 10.4

    BAT-AEPLs for emissions to water from EDC production via oxychlorination at the outlet of the pretreatment for solids removal at plants using the fluidised-bed design

    Parameter

    BAT-AEPL

    (average of values obtained during 1 year)

    Copper

    0,4–0,6 mg/l

    PCDD/F

    < 0,8 ng I-TEQ/l

    Total suspended solids (TSS)

    10–30 mg/l

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 79.

    Table 10.5

    BAT-AELs for direct emissions of copper, EDC and PCDD/F to a receiving water body from EDC production

    Parameter

    BAT-AEL

    (average of values obtained during 1 year)

    Copper

    0,04–0,2 g/t EDC produced by oxychlorination (37)

    EDC

    0,01–0,05 g/t EDC purified (38)  (39)

    PCDD/F

    0,1– 0,3 μg I-TEQ/t EDC produced by oxychlorination

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 79.

    10.3.   Energy efficiency

    BAT 82:

    In order to use energy efficiently, BAT is to use a boiling reactor for the direct chlorination of ethylene.

    Description:

    The reaction in the boiling reactor system for the direct chlorination of ethylene is typically carried out at a temperature between below 85 °C and 200 °C. In contrast to the low-temperature process, it allows for the effective recovery and reuse of the heat of reaction (e.g. for the distillation of EDC).

    Applicability:

    Only applicable to new direct chlorination plants.

    BAT 83:

    In order to reduce the energy consumption of EDC cracker furnaces, BAT is to use promoters for the chemical conversion.

    Description:

    Promoters, such as chlorine or other radical-generating species, are used to enhance the cracking reaction and reduce the reaction temperature and therefore the required heat input. Promoters may be generated by the process itself or added.

    10.4.   Residues

    BAT 84:

    In order to reduce the amount of coke being sent for disposal from VCM plants, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Use of promoters in cracking

    See BAT 83

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Rapid quenching of the gaseous stream from EDC cracking

    The gaseous stream from EDC cracking is quenched by direct contact with cold EDC in a tower to reduce coke formation. In some cases, the stream is cooled by heat exchange with cold liquid EDC feed prior to quenching

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Pre-evaporation of EDC feed

    Coke formation is reduced by evaporating EDC upstream of the reactor to remove high-boiling coke precursors

    Only applicable to new plants or major plant upgrades

    d.

    Flat flame burners

    A type of burner in the furnace that reduces hot spots on the walls of the cracker tubes

    Only applicable to new furnaces or major plant upgrades

    BAT 85:

    In order to reduce the amount of hazardous waste being sent for disposal and to increase resource efficiency, BAT is to use all of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Hydrogenation of acetylene

    HCl is generated in the EDC cracking reaction and recovered by distillation.

    Hydrogenation of the acetylene present in this HCl stream is carried out to reduce the generation of unwanted compounds during oxychlorination. Acetylene values below 50 ppmv at the outlet of the hydrogenation unit are advisable

    Only applicable to new plants or major plant upgrades

    b.

    Recovery and reuse of HCl from incineration of liquid waste

    HCl is recovered from incinerator off-gas by wet scrubbing with water or diluted HCl (see Section 12.1) and reused (e.g. in the oxychlorination plant)

    Generally applicable

    c.

    Isolation of chlorinated compounds for use

    Isolation and, if needed, purification of by-products for use (e.g. monochloroethane and/or 1,1,2-trichloroethane, the latter for the production of 1,1-dichloroethylene)

    Only applicable to new distillation units or major plant upgrades.

    Applicability may be restricted by a lack of available uses for these compounds

    11.   BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR HYDROGEN PEROXIDE PRODUCTION

    The BAT conclusions in this section apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

    11.1.   Emissions to air

    BAT 86:

    In order to recover solvents and to reduce emissions of organic compounds to air from all units other than the hydrogenation unit, BAT is to use an appropriate combination of the techniques given below. In the case of using air in the oxidation unit, this includes at least technique d. In the case of using pure oxygen in the oxidation unit, this includes at least technique b. using chilled water.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    Process-integrated techniques

    a.

    Optimisation of the oxidation process

    Process optimisation includes elevated oxidation pressure and reduced oxidation temperature in order to reduce the solvent vapour concentration in the process off-gas

    Only applicable to new oxidation units or major plant upgrades

    b.

    Techniques to reduce solids and/or liquids entrainment

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    Techniques to recover solvent for reuse

    c.

    Condensation

    See Section 12.1

    Generally applicable

    d.

    Adsorption (regenerative)

    See Section 12.1

    Not applicable to process off-gas from oxidation with pure oxygen


    Table 11.1

    BAT-AELs for emissions of TVOC to air from the oxidation unit

    Parameter

    BAT-AEL (40)

    (daily average or average over the sampling period) (41)

    (no correction for oxygen content)

    TVOC

    5–25 mg/Nm3  (42)

    The associated monitoring is in BAT 2.

    BAT 87:

    In order to reduce emissions of organic compounds to air from the hydrogenation unit during start-up operations, BAT is to use condensation and/or adsorption.

    Description:

    For the description of condensation and adsorption, see Section 12.1.

    BAT 88:

    In order to prevent benzene emissions to air and water, BAT is not to use benzene in the working solution.

    11.2.   Emissions to water

    BAT 89:

    In order to reduce the waste water volume and the organic load discharged to waste water treatment, BAT is to use both of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    Applicability

    a.

    Optimised liquid phase separation

    Separation of organic and aqueous phases with appropriate design and operation (e.g. sufficient residence time, phase boundary detection and control) to prevent any entrainment of undissolved organic material

    Generally applicable

    b.

    Reuse of water

    Reuse of water, e.g. from cleaning or liquid phase separation. The extent to which water can be reused in the process depends on product quality considerations

    Generally applicable

    BAT 90:

    In order to prevent or reduce emissions to water of poorly bioeliminable organic compounds, BAT is to use one of the techniques given below.

    Technique

    Description

    a.

    Adsorption

    See Section 12.2. Adsorption is carried out prior to sending waste water streams to the final biological treatment

    b.

    Waste water incineration

    See Section 12.2

    Applicability:

    Only applicable to waste water streams carrying the main organic load from the hydrogen peroxide plant and when the reduction of the TOC load from the hydrogen peroxide plant by means of biological treatment is lower than 90 %.

    12.   DESCRIPTIONS OF TECHNIQUES

    12.1.   Process off-gas and waste gas treatment techniques

    Technique

    Description

    Adsorption

    A technique for removing compounds from a process off-gas or waste gas stream by retention on a solid surface (typically activated carbon). Adsorption may be regenerative or non-regenerative (see below).

    Adsorption (non-regenerative)

    In non-regenerative adsorption, the spent adsorbent is not regenerated but disposed of.

    Adsorption (regenerative)

    Adsorption where the adsorbate is subsequently desorbed, e.g. with steam (often on site) for reuse or disposal and the adsorbent is reused. For continuous operation, typically more than two adsorbers are operated in parallel, one of them in desorption mode.

    Catalytic oxidiser

    Abatement equipment which oxidises combustible compounds in a process off-gas or waste gas stream with air or oxygen in a catalyst bed. The catalyst enables oxidation at lower temperatures and in smaller equipment compared to a thermal oxidiser.

    Catalytic reduction

    NOx is reduced in the presence of a catalyst and a reducing gas. In contrast to SCR, no ammonia and/or urea are added.

    Caustic scrubbing

    The removal of acidic pollutants from a gas stream by scrubbing using an alkaline solution.

    Ceramic/metal filter

    Ceramic filter material. In circumstances where acidic compounds such as HCl, NOX, SOX and dioxins are to be removed, the filter material is fitted with catalysts and the injection of reagents may be necessary.

    In metal filters, surface filtration is carried out by sintered porous metal filter elements.

    Condensation

    A technique for removing the vapours of organic and inorganic compounds from a process off-gas or waste gas stream by reducing its temperature below its dew point so that the vapours liquefy. Depending on the operating temperature range required, there are different methods of condensation, e.g. cooling water, chilled water (temperature typically around 5 °C) or refrigerants such as ammonia or propene.

    Cyclone (dry or wet)

    Equipment for removal of dust from a process off-gas or waste gas stream based on imparting centrifugal forces, usually within a conical chamber.

    Electrostatic precipitator (dry or wet)

    A particulate control device that uses electrical forces to move particles entrained within a process off-gas or waste gas stream onto collector plates. The entrained particles are given an electrical charge when they pass through a corona where gaseous ions flow. Electrodes in the centre of the flow lane are maintained at a high voltage and generate the electrical field that forces the particles to the collector walls.

    Fabric filter

    Porous woven or felted fabric through which gases flow to remove particles by use of a sieve or other mechanisms. Fabric filters can be in the form of sheets, cartridges or bags with a number of the individual fabric filter units housed together in a group.

    Membrane separation

    Waste gas is compressed and passed through a membrane which relies on the selective permeability of organic vapours. The enriched permeate can be recovered by methods such as condensation or adsorption, or can be abated, e.g. by catalytic oxidation. The process is most appropriate for higher vapour concentrations. Additional treatment is, in most cases, needed to achieve concentration levels low enough to discharge.

    Mist filter

    Commonly mesh pad filters (e.g. mist eliminators, demisters) which usually consist of woven or knitted metallic or synthetic monofilament material in either a random or specific configuration. A mist filter is operated as deep-bed filtration, which takes place over the entire depth of the filter. Solid dust particles remain in the filter until it is saturated and requires cleaning by flushing. When the mist filter is used to collect droplets and/or aerosols, they clean the filter as they drain out as a liquid. It works by mechanical impingement and is velocity-dependent. Baffle angle separators are also commonly used as mist filters.

    Regenerative thermal oxidiser (RTO)

    Specific type of thermal oxidiser (see below) where the incoming waste gas stream is heated by a ceramic-packed bed by passing through it before entering the combustion chamber. The purified hot gases exit this chamber by passing through one (or more) ceramic-packed bed(s) (cooled by an incoming waste gas stream in an earlier combustion cycle). This reheated packed bed then begins a new combustion cycle by preheating a new incoming waste gas stream. The typical combustion temperature is 800–1 000 °C.

    Scrubbing

    Scrubbing or absorption is the removal of pollutants from a gas stream by contact with a liquid solvent, often water (see ‘Wet scrubbing’). It may involve a chemical reaction (see ‘Caustic scrubbing’). In some cases, the compounds may be recovered from the solvent.

    Selective catalytic reduction (SCR)

    The reduction of NOX to nitrogen in a catalytic bed by reaction with ammonia (usually supplied as an aqueous solution) at an optimum operating temperature of around 300–450 °C. One or more layers of catalyst may be applied.

    Selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR)

    The reduction of NOX to nitrogen by reaction with ammonia or urea at a high temperature. The operating temperature window must be maintained between 900 °C and 1 050 °C.

    Techniques to reduce solids and/or liquids entrainment

    Techniques that reduce the carry-over of droplets or particles in gaseous streams (e.g. from chemical processes, condensers, distillation columns) by mechanical devices such as settling chambers, mist filters, cyclones and knock-out drums.

    Thermal oxidiser

    Abatement equipment which oxidises the combustible compounds in a process off-gas or waste gas stream by heating it with air or oxygen to above its auto-ignition point in a combustion chamber and maintaining it at a high temperature long enough to complete its combustion to carbon dioxide and water.

    Thermal reduction

    NOX is reduced at elevated temperatures in the presence of a reducing gas in an additional combustion chamber, where an oxidation process takes place but under low oxygen conditions/deficit of oxygen. In contrast to SNCR, no ammonia and/or urea are added.

    Two-stage dust filter

    A device for filtering on a metal gauze. A filter cake builds up in the first filtration stage and the actual filtration takes place in the second stage. Depending on the pressure drop across the filter, the system switches between the two stages. A mechanism to remove the filtered dust is integrated into the system.

    Wet scrubbing

    See ‘Scrubbing’ above. Scrubbing where the solvent used is water or an aqueous solution, e.g. caustic scrubbing for abating HCl. See also ‘Wet dust scrubbing’.

    Wet dust scrubbing

    See ‘Wet scrubbing’ above. Wet dust scrubbing entails separating the dust by intensively mixing the incoming gas with water, mostly combined with the removal of the coarse particles by the use of centrifugal force. In order to achieve this, the gas is released inside tangentially. The removed solid dust is collected at the bottom of the dust scrubber.

    12.2.   Waste water treatment techniques

    All of the techniques listed below can also be used to purify water streams in order to enable reuse/recycling of water. Most of them are also used to recover organic compounds from process water streams.

    Technique

    Description

    Adsorption

    Separation method in which compounds (i.e. pollutants) in a fluid (i.e. waste water) are retained on a solid surface (typically activated carbon).

    Chemical oxidation

    Organic compounds are oxidised with ozone or hydrogen peroxide, optionally supported by catalysts or UV radiation, to convert them into less harmful and more easily biodegradable compounds

    Coagulation and flocculation

    Coagulation and flocculation are used to separate suspended solids from waste water and are often carried out in successive steps. Coagulation is carried out by adding coagulants with charges opposite to those of the suspended solids. Flocculation is carried out by adding polymers, so that collisions of microfloc particles cause them to bond to produce larger flocs.

    Distillation

    Distillation is a technique to separate compounds with different boiling points by partial evaporation and recondensation.

    Waste water distillation is the removal of low-boiling contaminants from waste water by transferring them into the vapour phase. Distillation is carried out in columns, equipped with plates or packing material, and a downstream condenser.

    Extraction

    Dissolved pollutants are transferred from the waste water phase to an organic solvent, e.g. in counter-current columns or mixer-settler systems. After phase separation, the solvent is purified, e.g. by distillation, and returned to the extraction. The extract containing the pollutants is disposed of or returned to the process. Losses of solvent to the waste water are controlled downstream by appropriate further treatment (e.g. stripping).

    Evaporation

    The use of distillation (see above) to concentrate aqueous solutions of high-boiling substances for further use, processing or disposal (e.g. waste water incineration) by transferring water to the vapour phase. Typically carried out in multistage units with increasing vacuum, to reduce the energy demand. The water vapours are condensed, to be reused or discharged as waste water.

    Filtration

    The separation of solids from a waste water carrier by passing it through a porous medium. It includes different types of techniques, e.g. sand filtration, microfiltration and ultrafiltration.

    Flotation

    A process in which solid or liquid particles are separated from the waste water phase by attaching to fine gas bubbles, usually air. The buoyant particles accumulate at the water surface and are collected with skimmers.

    Hydrolysis

    A chemical reaction in which organic or inorganic compounds react with water, typically in order to convert non-biodegradable to biodegradable or toxic to non-toxic compounds. To enable or enhance the reaction, hydrolysis is carried out at an elevated temperature and possibly pressure (thermolysis) or with the addition of strong alkalis or acids or using a catalyst.

    Precipitation

    The conversion of dissolved pollutants (e.g. metal ions) into insoluble compounds by reaction with added precipitants. The solid precipitates formed are subsequently separated by sedimentation, flotation or filtration.

    Sedimentation

    Separation of suspended particles and suspended material by gravitational settling.

    Stripping

    Volatile compounds are removed from the aqueous phase by a gaseous phase (e.g. steam, nitrogen or air) that is passed through the liquid, and are subsequently recovered (e.g. by condensation) for further use or disposal. The removal efficiency may be enhanced by increasing the temperature or reducing the pressure.

    Waste water incineration

    The oxidation of organic and inorganic pollutants with air and simultaneous evaporation of water at normal pressure and temperatures between 730 °C and 1 200 °C. Waste water incineration is typically self-sustaining at COD levels of more than 50 g/l. In the case of low organic loads, a support/auxiliary fuel is needed.

    12.3.   Techniques to reduce emissions to air from combustion

    Technique

    Description

    Choice of (support) fuel

    The use of fuel (including support/auxiliary fuel) with a low content of potential pollution-generating compounds (e.g. lower sulphur, ash, nitrogen, mercury, fluorine or chlorine content in the fuel).

    Low-NOX burner (LNB) and ultra-low-NOX burner (ULNB)

    The technique is based on the principles of reducing peak flame temperatures, delaying but completing the combustion and increasing the heat transfer (increased emissivity of the flame). It may be associated with a modified design of the furnace combustion chamber. The design of ultra-low-NOX burners (ULNB) includes (air/)fuel staging and exhaust/flue-gas recirculation.


    (1)  For any parameter where, due to sampling or analytical limitations, 30-minute sampling is inappropriate, a suitable sampling period is employed.

    (2)  For PCDD/F, a sampling period of 6 to 8 hours is used.

    (3)  Time-proportional composite samples can be used provided that sufficient flow stability can be demonstrated.

    (4)  Commission Implementing Decision 2012/119/EU of 10 February 2012 laying down rules concerning guidance on the collection of data and on the drawing up of BAT reference documents and on their quality assurance referred to in Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions (OJ L 63, 2.3.2012, p. 1).

    (5)  Generic EN standards for continuous measurements are EN 15267-1, -2, and -3, and EN 14181. EN standards for periodic measurements are given in the table.

    (6)  Refers to the total rated thermal input of all process furnaces/heaters connected to the stack where emissions occur.

    (7)  In the case of process furnaces/heaters with a total rated thermal input of less than 100 MWth operated less than 500 hours per year, the monitoring frequency may be reduced to at least once every year.

    (8)  The minimum monitoring frequency for periodic measurements may be reduced to once every 6 months, if the emission levels are proven to be sufficiently stable.

    (9)  Monitoring of dust does not apply when combusting exclusively gaseous fuels.

    (10)  Monitoring of NH3 only applies when SCR or SNCR is used.

    (11)  In the case of process furnaces/heaters combusting gaseous fuels and/or oil with a known sulphur content and where no flue-gas desulphurisation is carried out, continuous monitoring can be replaced either by periodic monitoring with a minimum frequency of once every 3 months or by calculation ensuring the provision of data of an equivalent scientific quality.

    (12)  The monitoring applies where the pollutant is present in the waste gas based on the inventory of waste gas streams specified by the CWW BAT conclusions.

    (13)  The minimum monitoring frequency for periodic measurements may be reduced to once every year, if the emission levels are proven to be sufficiently stable.

    (14)  All (other) processes/sources where the pollutant is present in the waste gas based on the inventory of waste gas streams specified by the CWW BAT conclusions.

    (15)  EN 15058 and the sampling period need adaptation so that the measured values are representative of the whole decoking cycle.

    (16)  EN 13284-1 and the sampling period need adaptation so that the measured values are representative of the whole decoking cycle.

    (17)  The monitoring applies where the chlorine and/or chlorinated compounds are present in the waste gas and thermal treatment is applied

    (18)  Where the flue gases of two or more furnaces are discharged through a common stack, the BAT-AEL applies to the combined discharge from the stack.

    (19)  The BAT-AELs do not apply during decoking operations.

    (20)  No BAT-AEL applies for CO. As an indication, the CO emission level will generally be 10–50 mg/Nm3 expressed as a daily average or an average over the sampling period.

    (21)  The BAT-AEL only applies when SCR or SNCR are used.

    (22)  The lower end of the range is achieved when using a thermal oxidiser in the silver process.

    (23)  The BAT-AEL is expressed as an average of values obtained during 1 year.

    (24)  In the case of significant methane content in the emission, methane monitored according to EN ISO 25140 or EN ISO 25139 is subtracted from the result.

    (25)  EO produced is defined as the sum of EO produced for sale and as an intermediate.

    (26)  The BAT-AEL only applies to combined waste gas streams with flow rates of > 1 000 Nm3/h.

    (27)  The BAT-AEL is expressed as a daily average or an average over the sampling period.

    (28)  The BAT-AEL is expressed as an average of values obtained during 1 year. TDI and/or MDI produced refers to the product without residues, in the sense used to define the capacity of the plant.

    (29)  In the case of NOX values above 100 mg/Nm3 in the sample, the BAT-AEL may be higher and up to 3 mg/Nm3 due to analytical interferences.

    (30)  In the case of discontinuous waste water discharges, the minimum monitoring frequency is once per discharge.

    (31)  The BAT-AEPL refers to the product without residues, in the sense used to define the capacity of the plant.

    (32)  Where the flue-gases of two or more furnaces are discharged through a common stack, the BAT-AEL applies to the combined discharge from the stack.

    (33)  The BAT-AELs do not apply during decoking operations.

    (34)  No BAT-AEL applies for CO. As an indication, the CO emission level will generally be 5–35 mg/Nm3 expressed as a daily average or an average over the sampling period.

    (35)  The minimum monitoring frequency may be reduced to once every month if adequate performance of the solids and copper removal is controlled by frequent monitoring of other parameters (e.g. by continuous measurement of turbidity).

    (36)  The average of values obtained during 1 month is calculated from the averages of values obtained during each day (at least three spot samples taken at intervals of at least half an hour).

    (37)  The lower end of the range is typically achieved when the fixed-bed design is used.

    (38)  The average of values obtained during one year is calculated from the averages of values obtained during each day (at least three spot samples taken at intervals of at least half an hour).

    (39)  Purified EDC is the sum of EDC produced by oxychlorination and/or direct chlorination and of EDC returned from VCM production to purification.

    (40)  The BAT-AEL does not apply when the emission is below 150 g/h.

    (41)  When adsorption is used, the sampling period is representative of a complete adsorption cycle.

    (42)  In the case of significant methane content in the emission, methane monitored according to EN ISO 25140 or EN ISO 25139 is subtracted from the result.


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