Page 174 - CW E-Magazine (3-6-2025)

Special Report

vention only during start-up and shut-
down,” Dr. Dalvi added.

However, Flow Chemistry makes
many demands on operators: it needs
a thorough understanding of the pro-
cess; a good knowledgeable fabrication
partner; and meticulous planning.

Mr. Chandrakant Sethia, National
Head – Sales & Business Development –
Advanced Flow Reactors (AFRs),
Corning India, observed that AFRs
enable inherently safer, seamlessly
scalable, continuous manufacturing
of chemicals, Key Starting Materials
(KSMs) and Active Pharmaceutical
Ingredients (APIs) at a vivid saving of
space, cost and time to market.
Mr. Radharaman Panicker Mr. Gagan Kumar
Corning, he added, has implemented DG reveals that 61% are shipper related – Distillation systems – troubleshoot-
100+ industrial projects and 200+ AFR poor packaging (30%), misdeclaration ing and upgradation
production lines worldwide carry- (24%) and incorrect packing (7%). Distillation is the most widely used
ing out a slew of chemistries includ- separation process in the chemical in-
ing nitration, oxidation, hydrogenation, Non-compliance to regulations, he dustry. It accounts for 40% of equip-
fl uorination, esterifi cation, diazotisa- added, is becoming expensive due steep ment cost and 60% of operating costs
tion, polymerisation, and sulphonation, fi nes imposed on violators, shipment of a chemical plant.
amongst others. The vast majority of delays, seizure of goods, legal battles,
AFR application have been in the fi ne aside the hidden costs related to reputa- Yet, many distillation systems do not
chemical, pharmaceutical and agro- tion damage, loss of customer trust and perform to full capacity or effi ciency,
chemical industries. increased insurance premia. “Proactive according to Mr. N.M. Madhekar,
compliance reduces the risk of surprise Founder & Director, Innovative Chemical
Why Dangerous Goods compliance audits turning into disasters. DG com- Technologies. These can be due several
must be a strategic priority pliance must be a strategic priority.” factors including:
Mr. Radharaman Panicker, Managing  Ignoring components in feed;
Director and Chief Instructor, DGM Navigating REACH & REACH-like  Incorrect design algorithm;
India, highlighted the challenges Certifi cation  Mistakes in detailing of trays and
and solutions in the transportation of Mr. Gagan Kumar, Managing internals;
Dangerous Goods (DG), which, by Director, REACHLaw India Pvt. Ltd.,  Problems with layout and erection;

defi nition, includes most chemicals. provided an update on chemicals regu-  Piping errors;
lation in Europe, UK, Ukraine, South  Excess holdup;

According to him, the volume of Korea and Turkey, and advised expor-  Issues with heat exchangers;
DG being shipped from India will in- ters to perform due diligence and build  High column pressure drop;

crease sharply and unless DG compli- a regulatory roadmap for export markets.  Operational issues like fouling; and
ance is given a serious thought, we are  Changing properties of operating
heading into stormy weather. “Trans- He also urged companies to budget fl uids.
porting DG needs careful planning, the costs of regulatory compliance for
strict adherence to regulations and registration and maintenance of dos- Mr. Madhekar suggested several
robust safety measures.” siers, which can run anywhere from a upgradation techniques to improve
few lakhs to several crores of Rupees performance:
An analysis of accidents related to per product.  Convert batch to continuous ope-

174 Chemical Weekly June 3, 2025

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