In April 2005, Topsoe concluded a supply contract with Molibdenos y Metales S.A. (Molymet) of Santiago, Chile concerning a plant for production of 170 MTPD sulphuric acid from the SO2 containing waste gases of a new molybdenum sulphide roaster at Molymet's plant at Nos, near Santiago. The plant is scheduled to start operation in early 2007. This will be the fourth sulphuric acid plant of Topsoe's proprietary WSA (Wet gas Sulphuric Acid) technology, supplied to the Molymet group. The first three plants are in operation in Belgium, Chile and Mexico.

The WSA technology is especially well-suited for waste gas cleaning from metal smelting and roasting. Due to the simple process lay-out of the condensation based process, the WSA plant only consists of relatively few and simple components leading to a low plant investment cost. Further, the sulphuric acid condenser, operating only based on the use of cooling air, reduces the cooling water consumption by a factor ten compared to traditional sulphuric acid technology. This together with a low electricity consumption and a high steam export offers an attractive operating economy.

For further information, please visit the WSA page or contact Mr. Torben Christensen on toc@topsoe.dk.