CRI NEWSROOM

June 2006


“Yellow Dragon” at Liuzhou Chemical dissolved

In the past, Liuzhou Chemical had utilized the “Alkaline Absorption Under Pressure” technology to deal with Flue Gas from its Nitric Acid Plant. The concentration of Nitric Oxides (NOx) in the flue gas complied with the second-class criteria on Nitric Oxides emission in National GB8296-1996 “Integrated Emission Standard of Atmosphere Pollutants” and the plant was approved to operate in Year 2002 by the Pollution Bureau.

However, the flue gas still had a distinct yellowish color and was aptly called the “Yellow Dragon”. To eradicate the “Yellow Dragon” and improve the air quality of Liuzhou City, the technical staff of Liuzhou Chemical spent a lot of time to researching globally for the best technology available to deal with this persistent problem. After extensive research, investigation and evaluation, the technical staff at Liuzhou Chemical came to the conclusion that the unique “DeNOx” technology from Shell was most likely to succeed in destroying the NOx and yet offered the most cost effective solution.

Its unique compact Lateral Flow Reactor system and high activity catalyst can effectively and efficiently reduce the NOx at low temperature and in a limited installation area. Its modular design also ensured simple and rapid installation minimizing the plant down time needed. All these factors combined to present the best Total Cost of Ownership sustainable over a long term period.

The project kicked off in Jan 2005 and succeeded in the very first trial run in Nov 2005. The “Yellow Dragon” which had persistently loomed heavily in the air above Liuzhou Chemical over the last 40 years was finally defeated and dissolved!! With this significant improvement in its flue gas emission, Liuzhou Chemical is no longer under pressure from the local government; and its public image has improved dramatically as it is now seen as being a major contributor to the municipal Green Plan: Clean-Water-and-Blue-Sky scheme.