UOP LLC a Honeywell Company 
25 E. Algonquin Rd. 
Des Plaines, IL 60017‐5017 
Tel: 847.391.2000   Fax: 847.391.2253   
www.uop.com 
 
Date:  February 16th, 2018 
 
To:  Tomas Muller    Axion Energy Turnover Manager 
 
Copy:  Marcelo Insaurralde  Axion Energy  Commissioning Manager 
  Sergio Pischek    UOP Regional Services Manager 
 
From:  Javier Rios    UOP Technical Specialist FCC/Merox 
 
Subject: Recommendation for Chemical Cleaning for Merox Unit (972588)

The purpose of the letter is to recommend to chemically clean the following sections:

- Extractor,
- Enhanced prewash
- COS Solvent tanks
- Complete Merox regeneration section

with soda ash 2 wt% to remove iron oxide scale prior to loading packing material and final inspection of the
equipment.

Lessons learned and best practices on equipment that has been sitting for more than 1 year waiting for
start-up can build up iron oxide scale that in the future for treating can lead to issue of plugging of
anthracite coal and iron sulfide scale in prewash.

The cleanup will be in the following recommended sequence:

‐ Fill regeneration section and prewash with 2 wt% Soda Ash (Na2CO3) inventory
o None of the vessels are loaded with beds internals
o The trays in the extractor and the enhanced prewash have been already leak tested
o The COS Solvent tank can be used to mix the Chemical in the system
o Modification for purges of nitrogen or air need to be make on extractor and dso separator
to pressure liquids to transfer caustic

‐ Circulate for 12 hrs of which the soda ash liquid can be heated up to 55-60 C in the Merox
Regeneration section.
o Set circulation rates at design flows for the solvent
o Monitor/appearance of soda ash strength every 2 hrs
o Replenish the soda ash is lost in strength below 1 wt% due to removal of scale

pg. 1 
 
 
o At hour 8-9 hr start stop the heater and cool off towards 38 C

‐ After 12 hrs drain soda from system and start water washing circuit – until soda ash is less than 0.1
wt% or a pH between 7-9 is achieved. Circulate clean water for 12 hrs.
o Monitor/appearance of soda ash strength every 2 hrs
o Remove and add fresh water if soda ash strength increases.

‐ Once the unit has been cleaned, inspect vessels for any iron oxide left in the system and load
equipment once all the deviation has been resolved.

The water quality must be the same as the on prescribed on the schedule A for section 106.

If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Sincerely,

Javier Rios
FCC and Treating Process Specialist
UOP LLC a Honeywell Company
Cell Phone No- (847) 224-4105
Javier.Rios@uop.com

pg. 2