Kazanorgsintez to modernize the reactor and to reduce emissions

The first step is environmental study and EIA

Public hearings on the beginning of the modernization of the B Reactor at HDPE Production and Processing Plant were held in the auditorium of the Kazan Petrochemical College named after V.P. Lushnikov. Deputy chief engineer, head of the department of ecology Andrey Smolko, who attended the meeting with the residents of Kazan and representatives of the administration of the Kirovsky and Moskovsky districts, said that the project of modernization of the reactor will help to achieve the economic and environmental effect.

However, prior to beginning the reconstruction, the company, according to Federal law No. 7 “On environment” and No. 174 “On environmental expertise”, needs to pass environmental expertise and environmental impact assessment (EIA) of project documentation. Kazanorgsintez underwent a similar procedure in 2004 when a lot of work was carried out on the reconstruction and construction of both new and existing facilities. The EIA data also became available to the public. Then the renovation concerned two of the three reactors of the HDPE Production and Processing Plant.

The B Reactor, as well as the A and C Reactors, is planned not only to update but also to provide with the system of waste gases recovery.

“We are planning to equip the B Reactor with a recovery system for collecting and returning the waste gases of the B reactor to the process. As a result of regeneration, purified gas and hydrocarbon condensate are formed. The purified gas is returned to the reactor block as a conveying gas to the polyethylene powder discharge system from the B Reactor. Hydrocarbon condensate formed after the second stage of the compressor is returned by means of pumps to the B Reactor for reuse or to the workshop for sale,” deputy chief engineer for processing at HDPE Production and Processing Plant Pavel Nedbayluk explained the specifics of the recovery process at the hearings.

This system allows to reduce the impact on the environment.

The goal is to reduce the amount of emissions into the atmosphere

Roman Yemelyushin, the deputy head of the department for environment, explained that the maximum permissible emission standards for Kazanorgsintez currently amount to 15,000 tonnes. However, in reality, according to 2018, the company produced 10,600 tonnes of emissions.

The modernization of the B Reactor will increase production volumes. At the same time, the volume of emissions will be slightly reduced — by 10 tonnes. Now, according to the permit documentation, about 45 tonnes of pollutants in the form of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide are emitted into the atmosphere during the disposal of vented emissions.

“Every year we conduct statistical reporting, and if the norm is 15,000 tonnes, then, in fact, we dump two-thirds of the approved standard. If exceeded the standard, we would pay for negative impact in the fivefold size. The implementation of projects such as the modernization of the B Reactor can reduce environmental damage. It is provided and implemented in the environmental management system implemented in our company,” said Roman Yemelyushin.

At the first hearing, it was only intended to discuss the draft terms of the technical design specification for the environmental impact assessment. After receiving the results of the EIA, Kazanorgsintez will hold public hearings on them. Residents of Kazan will be able to share their suggestions and comments on the project of the facility modernization. Public discussions on the second stage are to be held on August 22.