By: HEATHER BOGARD
Associate Editor
Rotarian Larry Lachney welcomed Marty Robinson with Cabot Corporation as the guest speaker for the July 16, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Robinson discussed the Air Pollution Control Project - Energy Control Project currently underway at Cabot in order to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency consent decree. As manager of the project, Robinson said the purpose of the project is to reduce emission of greenhouse gases into the environment.
Currently, Robinson noted tail gas from plants release these gases that include nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide. With this project, the tail gas, along with the flair gas, will be gathered and exported to the air pollution control. The tail gas will thermally oxidized with air and the flair gas will be collected via a heat recovery steam generator. Robinson shared the nitrogen oxide removal equipment has a 95 percent removal rate and the sulfur oxide removal done through a limestone wet scrubber has a 90 percent success rate in removal. The process ends in a by-product of gypsum that can be recycled.
The closed loop system, Robinson, noted, will purify the water, and the steam collected will create a self-sustaining power generator producing electricity to power the facility. He shared Cabot will begin training employees and recognized South Louisiana Community College for their support in providing a space for training.
Robinson stated the $200 million project that will not generate additional revenue for Cabot. However, approximately 15 new positions will be added to the facility. He added there will be an increase of approximately three trucks per day transporting gypsum. The plant will be commissioned in late fall 2024, and operations are scheduled to begin in June 2025.
Rotarian Wayne Vidrine addressed the group about improvements needed to the group camp, including expanding the dormitory capacity, at Chicot State Park. He is working with Yvonne Normand (member of the Opelousas Sunrise Rotary Club and head of the Rotary District Interact Youth Exchange program for District #6200) and Rotary District Governor Craig Walling to begin a campaign in District 6200 (consisting of 43 clubs) to submit letters to Governor Jeff Landry in support of funding the necessary improvements to the location and facility. Vidrine stated Walling is completely on board with the project, which will benefit not only the local area, but the entire state.
The next Rotary meeting will be held Tuesday, July 23, with a program presented by Rotarian Clem LaFleur.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.