Chevron Chemical , Oronite Additives Division

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Waste Collection

Industry: Chemical Manufacturing

Wastes Reduced: Decyl Alcohol and Ethylene Glycol Disposed to Deepwells

Location: Belle Chasse LA

No. of employees: Between 100 and 500 Employees

Contact: Donald T. Fike, Compliance Specialist

Phone: (504) 391-6600

Description:

Chevron makes OLOA (Oronite Lube Oil Additive) 390 for engine lubricating oils by mixing the ingredients together and heating heating them. About one third of the resultant mixture consists of unreacted raw materials, mainly wet ethylene glycol and decyl alcohol (DA), which was historically deepwell disposed. First, DA had to be separated from the glycol, and the glycol separated from the water. Two engineers with the help of Tulane University students came up with a new idea for recycling both the glycol and DA, reducing disposable waste and saving money.

P2 Application:

More efficient pall rings in the glycol dehydrating column.

Environmental Benefits:

Chevron currently recovers about 5,600,000 lbs/yr of DA, and 800,000 lbs/yr of ethylene glycol that were previously disposed to deep wells.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The project cost less than $100,000 and realized $3,246,000/year in raw material savings.

Source: LDEQ