In many chemical and environmental processing systems, equipment must operate under conditions where elevated temperatures and corrosive gases coexist. Under such circumstances, material selection becomes a critical factor in ensuring long-term operational reliability and safety.
Through its global materials supply platform, Thousands Technology provides high-performance resin systems used in corrosion-resistant composite equipment worldwide. Among these solutions, Atlac® 590UHT vinyl ester resin has proven to be particularly effective in applications requiring both exceptional heat resistance and strong chemical corrosion resistance.
The following industrial projects demonstrate how Atlac 590UHT supports reliable operation in demanding environments across the chemical and process industries.
Pre-Cooling Tower – BASF Zhanjiang Integrated Chemical Complex
Project Background
BASF is one of the world’s largest chemical producers. Its Zhanjiang Integrated Chemical Complex in Guangdong, China represents the company’s largest single investment globally, with a total investment of approximately €10 billion.
The project includes large-scale production units designed to manufacture:
- Approximately 400,000 tons per year of Butyl Acrylate
- Around 100,000 tons per year of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate
Within one of the key process sections, a pre-cooling tower was required to prepare process gases before they enter downstream scrubbing equipment.
Technical Challenge
The operating environment of the tower presented several challenges. The incoming gas stream consists of high-temperature flue gases containing multiple acidic components, including:
- Oxygen (O₂)
- Nitrogen (N₂)
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Water vapor
Operating parameters include:
- Design temperature: up to 150°C
- Continuous operating temperature: approximately 130°C
- Design pressure: –10,000 to +8,000 Pa
- Operating pressure: around –4,300 Pa
Such conditions require materials capable of withstanding both chemical corrosion and sustained thermal stress.
Material Solution
To address these requirements, the FRP equipment manufacturer selected Atlac 590UHT vinyl ester resin for the construction of the tower.
Atlac 590UHT offers:
- Excellent resistance to acidic gases
- Superior thermal stability compared with conventional polyester resins
- Long-term durability in corrosive industrial environments
The resin’s performance characteristics made it suitable for producing corrosion-resistant FRP structures designed for continuous operation under elevated temperatures.
Operational Performance
The pre-cooling tower was successfully fabricated, installed, and commissioned. Since entering operation, the equipment has demonstrated stable performance and reliable corrosion resistance, confirming the suitability of Atlac 590UHT for demanding chemical processing environments.
More information about Atlac 590UHT resin, including technical specifications and availability, can be obtained through the Thousands Technology supply platform.
Wet Quench Tower – ARLANXEO Special Elastomer Project in Changzhou
Project Background
ARLANXEO is a global leader in synthetic rubber production headquartered in the Netherlands. Its special elastomer project in Changzhou, China represents an investment of approximately RMB 1.4 billion.
The facility focuses on the production of hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), an advanced elastomer widely used in demanding industrial and automotive applications.
Within the production process, a wet quench tower is installed to rapidly cool process gases before further treatment.
Technical Challenge
The operating conditions of the tower are particularly demanding:
- Design temperature: up to 200°C
- Continuous operating temperature: approximately 180°C
- Design pressure: 10,000 Pa
- Operating pressure: about 2,800 Pa
Temperatures approaching 200°C are generally considered the upper service limit for conventional polyester-based FRP materials. Equipment operating under these conditions requires a resin system capable of maintaining both thermal stability and corrosion resistance.
Material Solution
To ensure long-term reliability, the equipment manufacturer selected Atlac 590UHT vinyl ester resin for the fabrication of the tower.
The resin provides:
- High heat resistance suitable for elevated operating temperatures
- Strong resistance to chemically aggressive process media
- Reliable structural performance for large composite equipment
These characteristics make Atlac 590UHT an effective solution for high-temperature FRP towers and chemical process equipment.
Operational Performance
Following installation, the tower has operated reliably within the specified process conditions. The use of Atlac 590UHT enables the FRP structure to maintain structural integrity, corrosion resistance, and operational stability under demanding industrial conditions.
Additional Industrial Applications
Beyond the projects mentioned above, Atlac 590UHT has also been applied in several titanium dioxide production facilities using the sulfate process, where equipment must handle highly corrosive and high-temperature media.
Typical applications include:
- Waste acid concentration systems
- High-temperature flue gas ducts
- Industrial chimneys
- Corrosion-resistant exhaust systems
These applications demonstrate the resin’s ability to perform reliably in environments characterized by simultaneous thermal and chemical stresses.
Long-Term Performance Validation
In addition to field applications, long-term performance verification has also been conducted under real industrial conditions.
Test panels produced using Atlac 590UHT were installed inside an industrial chimney and exposed to continuous high-temperature flue gases. Based on the positive test results, a full-scale FRP chimney fabricated with Atlac 590UHT was subsequently installed at an industrial facility in Nanjing.
The chimney operates continuously in a flue gas environment between 170°C and 200°C, demonstrating excellent long-term durability and corrosion resistance.
Atlac® 590UHT Supply Through Thousands Technology
As a global supplier of composite raw materials, Thousands Technology provides Atlac 590UHT vinyl ester resin to customers involved in corrosion-resistant equipment manufacturing and industrial engineering projects worldwide.
The resin is widely used in applications such as:
- FRP towers and scrubbers
- Industrial chimneys and exhaust systems
- Chemical processing equipment
- Corrosion-resistant ducts and pipelines
- Environmental protection facilities
Through its international supply platform, Thousands Technology supports customers with reliable material sourcing and technical information for demanding composite applications.
For technical documentation, product specifications, or purchasing inquiries related to Atlac 590UHT, customers are welcome to contact the team at Thousands Technology for further assistance.
