LANXESS’ Inorganic Pigments business unit is in the process of equipping the Bayferrox iron oxide color pigment production plant at its Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany, site with new pre-filter units.

LEVERKUSEN, Germany – LANXESS’ Inorganic Pigments business unit is in the process of equipping the Bayferrox iron oxide color pigment production plant at its Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany, site with new pre-filter units. Apart from optimizing the safety of the plant, this will also enhance internal logistics processes, thereby improving the reliability of supply. It will also lower energy consumption. The capital expenditures in Krefeld-Uerdingen will total around EUR 3 million.

The pre-filter units comprise two stainless steel tanks with peripherals connected to them. They take up the liquid color pigments from the synthesis reactors, which operate in batchwise mode. The pigments are then separated off in the filter units, washed to remove the salt, dried, mixed, ground and packaged. The new pre-filters raise the throughput to the filter units, permitting more efficient supply to the downstream dryers. "This simplifies product flow and ensures better control,” said Franz Mory, the engineer in the project team responsible for the modernization work.