Chemicals Technology
Finnish company Outotec has been awarded a contract by Morocco-based OCP Group to build a sulphuric acid plant for the production of fertilisers.
Under the €80m deal, Outotec will be responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction of the new plant.
To be built based on Outotec’s sulphur burning system, the plant will feature modern proprietary technologies such as HEROS, a heat recovery system that generates steam by utilising waste heat generated in the acid cooling process.
Other technologies include absorption towers, a converter and an Edmeston SX stainless-steel alloy built acid distribution system.
According to Outotec, the plant will support OCP’s production of fertilisers using phosphate rock and be ‘built in connection with their existing chemical complexes’.
Outotec Metals, Energy and Water business head Kalle Härkki said: “Outotec’s sulphuric acid technology has proven to be one of the leading technologies for decades. We are honoured that OCP has selected our design for their new plant. With our leading technologies providing benefits such as safety, high reliability and enhanced heat recovery, we are happy to help OCP reach their sustainability targets.”
OCP is a state-owned global fertiliser producer and a major phosphate exporter. The company has more than 20 acid production plants and numerous mining sites. It has a 65% market share of phosphate-based fertilisers in Africa, reported Reuters.
The group has plans to construct fertiliser plants in Nigeria and Ghana, according to the news agency.
