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Industrial Gases |
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Oxygen, nitrogen and argon are recovered from the air by separation. It is a cryogenic method developed by Carl von Linde more than 100 years ago. The air is compressed and freed of vapour, dust and carbon dioxide. Then refrigerated to extremely low temperatures, compressed to a liquid and separated by distillation into oxygen, nitrogen and argon and other noble gases.
Today, other physical methods are also used to separate and purify air components:
- Separation: by means of membranes.
- Adsorption: various components of air are adsorbed onto a special material while others flow through without obstruction.
Our air separation units are constructed in-house by the Linde Engineering Division. |
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Air
Air constitutes of nitrogen 78%, oxygen 21% and argon 1%.
Argon is a noble gas. Krypton, neon and xenon are other noble gases and together they constitute less than 0,1 percent of the atmosphere.
Acetylene
Acetylene is a highly flammable gas. An acetylene/oxygen flame have a temperature over 3000°C. Acetylene is conventionally produced through a reaction between calcium carbide and water.
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2), is a part of the life cycle in the nature. The gas is exhaled by humans and animals, and used by plants, that in return release oxygen. Carbon dioxide is produced from by-products from processes such as combustion, fermentation or oxidation of a carbon compound. The "raw gas" must be purifed in several stages to the quality required.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the lightest of all elements and constitutes 90 percent of the known universe. The gas may be obtained by means of a steam-reformer from steam, natural gas or other light hydrocarbons. Refineries and electrolytic processes employed in chlorine chemistry also generate hydrogen-rich gases from which the hydrogen can be recovered.
Liquid hydrogen is manufactured by liquefaction at -253°C and is transported in its liquid state, thus reducing transport costs.
 Hydrogen Technology
Hydrogen Solutions
Helium
Helium is the second lightest element and the one with the lowest boiling point, -268,9°C. Helium is recovered most cost-effectively from natural gas. Long-term contracts guarantee access to sources in the USA, Europe and North Africa.
Gas mixtures
Gas mixtures are either mixed continuously on site from pure gases or supplied premixed. Our gases for the Metal Fabrication industry and for the Food industry, are often examples of different gas mixtures.
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