Solvent Dehydration Unit - Activated Carbon Emission Treatment Plant

Problem‍

The existing solvent recovery plant required an efficient system for solvent dehydration, avoiding the use of distillation columns or extraction solvents typically employed in liquid–liquid extraction column processes. The operating costs associated with conventional systems for producing anhydrous solvents for the market had become unsustainable. FORTOM was therefore seeking an alternative solution capable of ensuring high dehydration efficiency while significantly reducing energy consumption and operating costs.

Solution‍

We have designed and implemented a dehydration unit based on adsorption technology, consisting of two vessels filled with molecular sieves used to remove water from the solvent fed in liquid phase. The dehydration process is controlled by monitoring the exothermic adsorption reaction of water within the silicate beds, allowing precise control of the system’s performance. The unit is managed through a fully automated control system with dedicated operating sequences, ensuring safe operation, process stability, and continuous performance even without direct operator intervention. The regeneration of the molecular sieves is carried out using high-efficiency equipment derived from solvent recovery regeneration systems. By circulating hot inert gas (nitrogen) in counter current flow, the adsorbed water is evaporated from the silicates, restoring the material to its original adsorption capacity.

‍