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MILESTONE
the banks of the Tombigbee River, just west of U.S.
Highway 43 in southwest Washington County. It
employs 300 people and uses the chlor-alkali process
to make bleach, chlorine, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen
and caustic soda for a variety of industrial uses,
including the pulp and paper industry, textiles, vinyl,
food processing, soap and cleaning products.
"Good neighbors are a treasure beyond measure,"
said Olin Plant Manager Ken Corley. "With aligned
cultures and core principles of safety, reliability and
exceptional customer service, Olin deeply appreciates
and values our strong collaboration with Alabama
Power."
The history of the cogen plant dates back to the mid-
1990s, when Alabama Power's Marketing department
thought outside the box to offer steam to several major
industrial customers, one of which was Olin. Many
chemical-making industries use high-pressure steam
for internal functions.
The APC cogen unit was designed by Southern
Company Services Engineering and built by Southern
Company construction. It was the first combined-cycle
plant in Southern's retail fleet. In the plant, natural
gas ignites burners that compress air, turning turbine
blades of one generator. Exhaust flows through the
heat recovery steam generator, producing steam that
Melanie Robins, Bolerjack with cogen
anniversary cake.