OxyChem Convent Chlor-Alkali and EDC Plant
Large load · 7377 HWY 3214, Convent, LA
OxyChem's Convent plant in St. James Parish, Louisiana runs a chlor-alkali unit, an ethylene dichloride unit and steam facilities that support both. A trade report says OxyChem also generates surplus electricity at Convent, and the plant was suspended in February 2001 when the company cited high electricity costs.
Overview
The Convent facility consists of three basic operations: a chlor-alkali plant that uses modified asbestos diaphragm cells to produce chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen, an ethylene dichloride plant that uses direct chlorination technology, and steam generating facilities that provide support to both. In the EDC process, chlorine from the chlor-alkali plant is combined with ethylene in one of two reactors. The resulting wet EDC is pH-adjusted before it enters a distillation unit to create pure EDC, which is then stored for shipment. The EPA Region 5 Clean Air Act inspection report describes these process steps in detail.
Profile
- Surplus power and the 2001 shutdown
- A trade report on OxyChem's Geismar investment said the company has facilities in Convent, Luling and Hahnville, where it also generates surplus electricity. In February 2001 Occidental Chemical Corp in Convent suspended production on February 28 until further notice, and the company cited high electricity and ethylene feedstock costs as the reason. The local report said the plant produced steam, electricity and raw materials, that it employed 150 people, and that none had been laid off at the time.
- Louisiana footprint and jobs
- OxyChem's operations in Louisiana account for approximately 1,000 jobs, including employees and contractors, across its Louisiana plants. The company's $145 million Geismar investment was reported to create 12 new jobs with an average salary of $80,000 plus benefits, while retaining 400 OxyChem employees and contractors at that plant. Louisiana Economic Development estimated another 37 new indirect jobs, and the trade report framed the project as a $145 million expansion at Geismar. Convent is one of four Louisiana sites alongside Geismar, Luling and Hahnville.
Facility
- Activity
- Chlor-alkali (chlorine, caustic soda, hydrogen) and ethylene dichloride
- Industry
- Manufacturing
- Site type
- Facility
- Operating status
- Operating
Related records
Timeline
- Feb 24, 2001
- Occidental Chemical suspends production at Convent, citing high electricity and feedstock costs
Occidental suspends production in Convent | L'Observateur