Advanced material for EDC-VCM production

When downtime is simply not an option

Choosing the right tube material is crucial for efficient and reliable EDC-VCM production. Given the harsh and potentially hazardous of products nature of the distillation or cracking processes. Shutdowns are simply not an option.

Chlorination uses chlorine (direct chlorination) or hydrochloric acid (oxychlorination). The oxychlorination process balances the by-product HCl from VCM production. Both units have risk of dew point corrosion of HCl acid, pitting corrosion and erosion from the catalyst. The EDC cracking unit has the risk of carburization, oxidation, and creep. Choosing the right materials will be crucial.

Full traceability of every tube

From R&D to melting, extrusion of hollows, and final tube manufacturing, we uphold the highest quality standards and maintain full traceability throughout the production chain. Each item undergoes 100% eddy current tested to guarantee that it is free from any defects or microcracks.

The production processes

A balanced plant requires two different routes that typically run in parallel: Chlorination and oxychlorination. The direct chlorination process uses chlorine and ethylene as the feedstock, while the oxychlorination process uses hydrochloric acid, ethylene, and oxygen for crude EDC production and is strongly exothermic. Crude EDC is then processed through a distillation unit to produce pure EDC. Lastly, VCM is produced through the high-temperature cracking of the pure EDC. The latter process produces HCl as a byproduct that is recirculated and used as part of the oxychlorination process.^{1, 2}

1. Dillon, C. Paul; Dean, Sheldon W. Jr. Material Selection for the Chemical Process Industries, MTI, 2004.
2. Donald L. Burdick, William L. Feffler. Petrochemicals in NonTechnical Language 4th Ed. PennWell Corp., 2010.

Alleima has been supplying seamless tubes for EDC/VCM production for many years. With our expertise, experience, integrated production and testing procedures, and extensive product portfolio, Alleima can enhance the lifetime of your equipment.