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Styrene (Polystyrene)

Robust, dependable MOGAS valves offer many performance features for the production of polystyrene.

Styrene explosion
While in dock, this tanker explosion in 2019 was attributed to over 5,000 metric tons of a styrene monomer detonating.
 

Styrene is an organic compound, and a derivative of benzene and a precursor to polystyrene. It is a colorless oily liquid that evaporates easily and has a sweet smell.

Styrene is widely used to make plastics and rubber, which are used to manufacture a variety of products, such as insulation, pipes, automobile parts, printing cartridges, food containers and carpet backing. Most styrene produced is destined for polystyrene production.

Health hazards producing styrene include irritation of the skin, eyes, and the upper respiratory tract. Acute exposure may also result in gastrointestinal effects. Chronic exposure affects the central nervous system showing symptoms such as depression, headache, fatigue, weakness, and may cause minor effects on kidney function. It is a known carcinogen.

Other hazards include explosion. Auto-polymerization—when styrene polymerizes spontaneously to polystyrene with an external initiator—begins at ambient temperatures. This reaction is exothermic, with a risk of thermal runaway and explosion.

MOGAS' valve design features combat the problems when producing styrene:

  • metal seat's sharp leading technology wipes and cleans the ball surface of the sticky media from polymerization reactions
  • seat springs maintain constant sealing contact between ball and seats to provide pressure-energized sealing
  • lapping process on ball and seat set provides 100% sealing contact through the full transition between the open and closed position
  • a wide seat sealing surface means more contact area while allowing for thermal expansion of trim
  • larger stem designs handle additional torque requirements
  • dual-guided stem design prevents media migration and prevents stem packing leaks and risk of fugitive emissions
     
Typical Operating Conditions:
  • High temperatures: 150 – 1200° F (66 – 649° C)
  • Moderate pressures: 50 – 100 psig (3 – 7 bar g)
  • Highly volatile

  1. Fresh Ethylbenzene
  2. Superheated Steam
  3. Reactor
  4. Heat Exchanger Bank 1
  5. Heat Exchanger Bank 2
  6. Decanter / Separator Overhear Hydrogen Gas
  7. Decanter / Separator Residual Waste Water
  8. Decanter / Separator
  9. Benzene / Toluene Distillation Column Overhead
  10. Benzene / Toluene Distillation Column
  11. Recycle Ethylbenzene
  12. Styrene Product

 

  • Heat Exchanger (not shown)
  • General Ball Valves (not shown)

General Purpose Polystyrene

General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS), also known as crystal-clear polystyrene, is fully transparent and rigid, and is better suited for storage and because of its transparency and its ability to be molded into shapes for packaging. It is widely used in food packaging applications or jewel cases for CDs. It is FDA compliant, low-cost, X-ray resistant, free from odor and taste, and easy to process.


  1. Fresh Styrene
  2. Fresh Solvent
  3. Recycle Solvent
  4. Main Pump
  5. Reactor
  6. Devolatilizer

 

  • Heat Exchanger (not shown)
  • General Ball Valves (not shown)

High Impact Polystyrene

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) has a high impact strength, but not naturally clear or transparent. It can be printed on and glued, cut and formed (including thermoform), has good dimensional stability, and fully recyclable. It has economical and easy manufacturability but is more expensive than GPPS. Products from HIPS include: appliance components, toys, automotive panels, drinking cups and computer housings.


 
  1. Fresh Styrene
  2. Virgin Rubber
  3. Additives & Solvent
  4. Rubber Dissolver
  5. Filter / Preheater
  6. Vertical Reactor No. 1
  7. Vertical Reactor No. 2
  8. Vertical Reactor No. 3
  9. Vertical Reactor No. 4
  10. Horizontal Reactor No. 5
  11. Horizontal Reactor No. 6
  12. Raw HIPS
  13. Devolatilizer Overhead
  14. Recycle Drum
  15. Recycle Styrene / Ethylbenzene

 

  • Heat Exchanger (not shown)
  • General Ball Valves (not shown)

Expandable Polystyrene

Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) is not Styrofoam (or extruded polystyrene), but expanded polystyrene. EPS very light weight (98% air), low thermal conductivity and moisture absorption (good for insulation), and excellent cushioning. can be shape-molded or cut into shapes. Applications range from drinking cups to packaging to helmets. EPS is 100% recyclable


  1. Styrene Monomer
  2. Expansion Agent
  3. Additives
  4. Cooling Water
  5. Reactor
  6. Filter
  7. Devolatilizer

 

  • Heat Exchanger (not shown)
  • General Ball Valves (not shown)
 
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