Arvand Petrochemical Company has successfully designed and domestically manufactured a 42E-15010 graphite plate heat exchanger, marking a significant milestone in localising key equipment within the petrochemical sector.
This specialised exchanger plays a crucial role in cooling 10% hydrochloric acid during the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) purification process. Following international sanctions and the withdrawal of Germany’s SGL Technik GmbH from supplying the equipment, Arvand Petrochemical localised the technology using domestic expertise and applied technical know-how.
The project involved identifying and sourcing materials such as graphite, specialised resins, and custom compounds, which were tested under operational conditions using hydrochloric acid and various solvents. The innovation lies in reinforcing the exchanger plates with carbon fibre to enhance mechanical strength and reduce fragility.
Another breakthrough was the redesign of the gaskets, using a nano-graphite and resin blend, which improved sealing performance, reduced leakage risks, cut production costs, and simplified maintenance.