Governor's Award of Excellence for Outstanding Achievement in Waste Management.Cape Industries, Wilmington, North Carolina

摘要

Cape Industries produces Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) and Terephthalic Acid (TA)which are used as raw materials in the production of polyester fibers and films. In this process para-cymene is used as a heat transfer fluid for the process equipment. As the para-cymene is circulated through the process and repeatedly reheated to operating temperatures, some thermal degradation of the cymene and minor contamination due to infiltration of the process material occurs. Prior to August 1988 this spent material was purged from the system and shipped off site for reclamation. The spent material was classified as a hazardous waste due to the characteristic of ignitability. In early 1988 existing equipment was retrofitted allowing for on site distillation of the spent para-cymene in a closed-loop system. Reclaimed para-cymene is returned to the system for reuse while the still bottoms are used as a feedstock in the production of DMT. No waste material is generated.