Since the facility’s start-up in 1967, DuPont Burnside has grown to become an
integral part of the chemical industry in Louisiana. We supply products and services to
industry throughout the region.
Refineries use the high strength sulfuric
acid produced at Burnside to produce gasoline. Sulfuric acid is also used to produce many
other familiar products such as metals, rubber, paint, paper, plastics, pharmaceuticals
and food. Sulfur trioxide, another form of sulfuric acid, is also produced at Burnside. It
is used to manufacture household products like detergents and shampoo.
In addition to producing valuable products,
Burnside also provides important services. One such service is the regeneration of spent
acid. Spent acid refers to sulfuric acid that has been used and diluted by refineries and
some chemical companies. Burnside regenerates this spent acid by using it as a raw
material. Nearly half of Burnside’s production comes from the regeneration of spent
acid. The remaining production comes from sulfur removed from crude oil by refineries.
Burnside also participates in Fuming Acid
Seminars provided by DuPont for its customers. These seminars promote safe handling and
use of acids by providing training and advanced knowledge of hazards.
Process Overview
Spent acid from our customers is shipped to the Burnside plant by barge, rail car and tank
truck. This acid contains impurities and excess water. Concentrating and purifying this
acid would require tremendous amounts of energy. Instead, the acid is converted to sulfur
dioxide and water, which are much easier to separate. At the same time, molten sulfur is
burned in a large furnace to create both. The spent acid and the sulfur are then reacted
with oxygen to create sulfur trioxide. A catalyst is used to promote this reaction. This
can either be purified and shipped by rail car directly as product or it can be added to
weak acid to make high strength acid. High strength acid is shipped by truck, rail and
barge.
DuPont is committed to the safety of the
environment and the community, including their employees. It exhibits this commitment by
meeting or exceeding safety and environmental guidelines set forth by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. DuPont strives
to maintain its reputation as a pacesetter in safety, health and protection of the
environment by setting goals of zero incidents and injuries. By continuing to provide
valuable products and services, and maintaining its commitment to safety and the
environment, it hopes to continue it role as a key contributor in both the Louisiana
chemical industry and the Louisiana economy.
