According to the company’s public relations office, in a pioneering
step toward domesticating critical petrochemical technologies, the 42E-15010
model exchanger—featuring graphite plates—was developed in collaboration with a
knowledge-based firm and under the supervision of Arvand’s engineering
department.
After passing rigorous testing, the locally manufactured unit has been
integrated into the production cycle as a functional replacement for its
imported counterpart.
Strategic Importance in the VCM Process
The equipment plays a vital role in cooling 10% hydrochloric acid
during the purification stage of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) production. The
project gained urgency following sanctions and the German supplier SGL TECHNIK
GMBH’s refusal to continue providing the component. Arvand responded by
leveraging domestic expertise and technology to indigenize the design and
manufacture of the exchanger.
Innovative Features and Materials
Key innovations include:
- Use
of carbon fiber reinforcement in the plates to improve impact resistance
and mechanical strength, overcoming the brittleness seen in imported
versions.
- Redesign
of gaskets using a nanographite-resin composite to
enhance sealing between plates, thereby reducing leakage risk and
simplifying maintenance.
- Careful
selection and testing of materials—such as specialized resins and
graphite—under varying operational conditions, including immersion in
hydrochloric acid and solvents.
The finalized unit successfully passed pressure and leak tests,
confirming its operational integrity.
A Step Toward Petrochemical Self-Sufficiency
This achievement reflects Iran's growing capabilities in petrochemical
self-reliance and technology localization, particularly in the face of
international restrictions. Arvand’s success sets a precedent for further
domestic manufacturing of essential equipment across the sector.