Compabloc condenser solves VOC problem

Ciba Specialty Chemicals North America is part of the worldwide Ciba Specialty Chemicals group based in Basel, Switzerland. The Ciba Specialty Chemicals plant in West Memphis, Arkansas manufactures water treatment chemicals mostly for use by the pulp and paper industries.

DATE 2023-11-28

VOC overload problem

As part of the company’s drive to improve environmental quality, the West Memphis plant funded a project to remove emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from its stack vapours.


The problem was that the existing scrubber was frequently overloaded with volatiles. This gave rise to both emissions into the atmosphere and a strong odour. To avoid, if at all possible, having to invest in a new scrubber that would mean a substantial investment, Ciba decided to look for an installation that would condense the problematic VOCs before they even reached the existing scrubber unit.

Alfa Laval Compabloc heat exchangerThe compact, fully welded Compabloc heat exchanger is designed to operate with a wide range of aggressive media and at high temperatures and pressures. 

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Customer's voice

Because the Compabloc condenser is so efficient at condensing volatiles from our reactors, it has saved us more than USD 100,000 by not having to purchase a new scrubber to ensure regulatory compliance. Overall, we are very happy with the Compabloc condenser.

Ciba's site engineer