Southern Peru's Ilo Smelter Meeting SO2 Emission Requirements at High Load

摘要

In 2007, Southern Peru Copper Corporation commissioned a 3,740 MTPD sulfuric acid plant in Ilo, Peru. This was done in connection with a complete modernization of the smelter unit. At the end of 2009, a catalyst optimization study was performed together with Haldor Topsoe A/S. The aim of this study was to obtain operation at design capacity as well as reduce the SO2 emission. The result of the study was a catalyst solution, which could accommodate a high SO2 strength of 13% by operating at low temperature in the first pass as well as ensuring a lower SO2 emission outlet the final pass by installing high activity cesium-promoted catalyst. The solution was implemented in September 2010 and has been in operation since. Further, it has been a primary objective to ensure a stable feed gas to the sulfuric acid plant as well as to optimize operating conditions, thus ensuring the best possible performance of the plant. This paper will present actions taken to achieve the target conversion and SO2 emission, supported by data from the last two years of operation.