Caustic Soda Recovery Plant
A KWS Caustic Soda Recovery Plant concentrates dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH) streams — generated in textile mercerising, paper pulping, aluminium smelting and chemical manufacturing — back to process-usable strength using multiple effect evaporation. Recovering and reusing caustic soda directly reduces raw chemical costs, cuts effluent alkalinity, and contributes to environmental compliance. KWS has commissioned five caustic recovery plants in India, each engineered to the specific NaOH concentration range, throughput and impurity profile of the client's process.
Key Advantages
Chemical cost reduction
Recovers dilute caustic soda to reusable strength, directly replacing fresh NaOH purchases.
Handles impurity-laden lye
Designed for streams containing colour, suspended solids and organic impurities typical of textile and paper effluents.
Multi-effect efficiency
2 to 4 effect configuration minimises steam consumption, with TVR enhancement where advantageous.
Corrosion-resistant construction
Nickel, Hastelloy and duplex SS options for high-concentration NaOH service.
Technical Specifications
| Feed Concentration | 3 – 8% NaOH (weak lye) |
|---|---|
| Product Concentration | 12 – 50% NaOH (strong lye) |
| Construction MOC | Nickel / SS 316L / Hastelloy |
| Operating Pressure | Vacuum – 3 bar |
| Configurations | 2 – 4 effects · TVR option |
| Standards | IBR / ASME |
| Delivery Timeline | 14 – 22 weeks |
Applications
- Textile mercerising lye recovery
- Paper & pulp black liquor
- Aluminium anodising caustic
- Chemical plant alkali recovery
- Soap & detergent manufacture
Frequently Asked Questions
What concentration of NaOH can be achieved?
KWS caustic recovery plants typically concentrate weak lye from 3–8% to 12–50% NaOH depending on the application. Concentration beyond 50% requires specialised materials and is handled as a special project.
What impurities can the plant tolerate?
Textile and paper caustic streams often contain dye, suspended solids and organic matter. The evaporator is designed with appropriate body type and CIP provisions to handle these without excessive fouling.
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