Heat exchangers for Johnson Matthey

Welded plate heat exchangers from Tranter PHE are being used to cool solvents in the production of titanium alkoxides for specialist chemicals company, Johnson Matthey, at its plant in Billingham

Welded plate heat exchangers from Tranter PHE are being used to cool solvents in the production of titanium alkoxides for specialist chemicals company, Johnson Matthey, at its plant in Billingham.

Tranter PHE has supplied Johnson Matthey with two Ultramax plate heat exchangers in two different material designs.

They are being employed in the solvent recovery process, improving cost efficiency and reducing emissions of organic solvents to the environment in line with the company's stringent environmental policy.

A stainless steel unit is being used as the main condenser cooling solvent vapour from a temperature of almost 70C to approximately 20C using circulated cooling water.

The second unit, which is titanium, is employed after the main condenser to cool the solvent vapour further to about -10C using brine as the coolant because of its lower freezing point.

Specified for their compact size and low weight compared with traditional shell and tube technology, Johnson Matthey chose Tranter Ultramax PHEs because the all welded, sealed units were considered the most suitable condensers to recover catalyst materials.

The absence of gaskets means there is no risk of leakage.

According to Rob Peeling, Process Development Manager at the Johnson Matthey Catalysts plant, environmental considerations were crucial.

He explained: "The solvents are not toxic but Johnson Matthey has high standards with regards to environmental protection.

"Tranter supplied the PHEs within the promised time frame and they have operated faultlessly since.

Reliability is paramount with heat exchangers as you just want to be able to install the unit and leave it to do its job and that's what we've been able to do with the Tranter PHE units".

Tranter PHE has extensive experience in the manufacture of heat exchange technology for process markets, supplying solutions for applications in various industries.

For more information on Ultramax heat exchanger products for process applications, or the full range of Tranter products and services, contact Alan Ashton, or visit the website.

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