Utilities and Storage

Utilities: Utilities are important factor for deciding profitability of the plant. The term "Utilities" is generally used for the ancillary services needed in the operation. These services will normally be supplied from a central site facility, and will include: 1. Electricity 2. Cooling water 3. Steam 4. Water for general use. 1. Electricity: The power required for the processes, motor drives, lighting and general use may be generated on site, but more usually will be purchased from the local company or state electricity board. The voltage at which the supply is taken or generated will depend on the demand. 2. Cooling Water: Natural and forced-draft cooling towers are generally used to provide the cooling water required on a site unless water can be drawn from a convenient river or lake in sufficient quantity. The requirement of cooling water in various equipments on 1 hr basis is as follows: Equipment Bubble Column Heat Exchanger Equipment Number R1001 HE1001 Cooling Water requirement in kg 2012.90 868.85

Total cooling water requirement per year = 2881.75 kg /hr x 8000 hr 60

=23054 tons = 23054 m3 3. Steam: The steam for process heating is usually generated in water tube boilers using the most economical fuel available such as fuel oil etc. The requirement of steam in various equipments is as follows: Equipment Evaporator Equipment Number E1001 Steam Requirement in kg/hr 2249.55

Thus, total requirement of steam per year = 2249.55 x 8000 = 17996.4 tons 4. Water for general use: The water is also required for general purposes on a site and will usually be taken from the local mains supply, unless cheaper source of suitable quality water is available from a river, lake or well. 5. Effluent Disposal: Facilities will be required at all sites for the disposal of waste without creating a public nuisance. Storage: Storage facilities should be available for sodium carbonate and product sodium acetate. Sodium Carbonate: Sodium Carbonate is harmful when inhaled. It is stored in containers in a cool, dry, well ventilated area away from foodstuffs or animal feed. Caution should be taken to prevent damage to or leakage from container. Sodium acetate: Anhydrous sodium acetate is white powder and it is kept in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. 61

It has auto ignition temperature of 611 0C and it decomposes to give acetic acid at 324 0C. The containers should be protected against physical damage and should be isolated from any source of heat or ignition. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (dust, solids), so proper precautions must be taken for disposal of such containers. The powder is generally packed in 25 kg and 50 kg bags or in flexible containers.

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