In a breakthrough for Iran’s petrochemical sector, Arvand Petrochemical Company has completed the in-house development and commissioning of a graphite plate heat exchanger (model 42E-15010) in collaboration with a knowledge-based Iranian firm, under the supervision of Arvand’s engineering department.
The new unit has been installed and tested successfully on the production line, following a full range of performance and pressure tests. This equipment plays a vital role in cooling 10% hydrochloric acid during the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) purification process.
The project gained urgency after Germany’s SGL Technik GmbH ceased supply due to international sanctions. In response, Arvand turned to domestic innovation—identifying and sourcing graphite materials, specialty resins, and custom compounds, all tested under real operational conditions involving hydrochloric acid and solvents.
A key advancement was the reinforcement of exchanger plates with carbon fiber, increasing mechanical strength and reducing brittleness—an issue frequently encountered with imported models.
Additionally, Arvand engineers redesigned the sealing gaskets using a nano-graphite and resin blend, significantly enhancing sealing performance, minimizing leakage risk, lowering production costs, and simplifying maintenance procedures.
The fully assembled unit passed rigorous pressure and leak tests with flawless results, demonstrating the success of the localization effort.
This achievement not only strengthens Iran’s industrial self-sufficiency but also positions Arvand Petrochemical as a pioneer in strategic equipment innovation, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and paving the way for broader technology localization in the industry.