Investigation into the reuse of Methanol/MTBE waste in the low temperature cooling system
The original aim of this project based at a bulk active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing site, was to investigate the reuse of a waste stream in the cooling system.
Reactor jackets utilise various services to heat and cool the reactors. One such service is low temperature cooling using a methanol water solution. This project proposed using waste methanol/MTBE instead of fresh methanol to maintain system concentration.
After a detailed study, the project found there would be no detrimental effects to production or the safe operation of the plant by reusing the methanol/MTBE waste in the low temperature cooling system. In addition payback would be less than three years. However, it was found that the MTBE would not sufficiently digest in the waste water treatment plant.
The focus of the project moved to identify why there is also a continual need for top up of the low temperature cooling medium. It was found that jacket services of the process reactors should be investigated to reduce the occurrence of dilution in the low temperature cooling system.
Measures have been put in place to reduce the methanol requirement such as density meters. There is the potential to reduce the requirement for the addition of 245,350 litres of food grade methanol each year to the system.
For more details, download the Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceutical PDF.
