Fig. 1. Spectra’s gases

complement Linde’s existing products such as hydrogen which is obtained using a steam reforming process.

Source: Linde

The 26 000 ft2 facility sits on approximately four acres and fills cylinders with oxygen, nitrogen, argon, CO2

propane, propylene, as well as pure specialty gas grades of nitrogen, argon, helium and oxygen. The company has also signed a supply agreement with

Utilities Service Alliance (USA). Based in Overland Park, Kansas, USA is a non-profit cooperative of 15 electric utilities that operate 17 nuclear power stations across the country. Airgas will provide 15 US-member nuclear power plants with industrial gases, specialty gases, liquid dewars, safety products and welding hardgoods. The five-year agreement, with estimated annual sales of US$6 million, is part of the Airgas strategic accounts programme established specifically for multi-location customers who benefit from sole-source supply and supply chain management services. Also in the US, Linde North America has announced

that it has completed the integration of Spectra Gases into its electronics and speciality gases business. The integration of Spectra’s high-end line of specialty

gases, chemicals, isotopic gases and fluorine-based mixtures for niche and critical applications complements Linde’s broader range of offerings across the balance of packaged gases products and applications (Fig. 1). “With this integration Linde now offers customers the most comprehensive line of packaged gas products and services in the industry,” said Cliff Caldwell, vice president for Linde’s electronics and specialty gases business in North America. Linde’s electronics and specialty gases business is a leading

global supplier of a wide array of products and services, ranging from rare gases and calibration gases in the parts per billion to electronic process gases such as hydrogen chloride, sulphur hexafluoride, silane and halothanes. Industries

, helium,

served include medicine, scientific research, fibre optics, semiconductor manufacturing, environmental testing and compliance, laser applications, homeland security and lighting. “Linde’s ability to produce and purify rare and electronic

process gases provides the high quality, security of supply and lower cost of ownership that is critically important in today’s highly competitive global marketplace,” added Caldwell. Finally, Air Products’ latest move is the signing of a

contract with SK Energy to construct a hydrogen fuelling station for a novel energy project to be based in World Cup Park in Seoul, South Korea. The station is due on-stream in July and will supply hydrogen produced solely from landfill gas to fuel a fleet of vehicles. The project is part of Seoul’s push to use alternative

supply means to generate 10 per cent of its energy consumption by 2020, and to use hydrogen for 30 per cent of the switch. “This is a very innovative project with high goals and we are proud to be part of this plan and to work with SK Energy, which is a leading Korean company in hydrogen reforming technology,” said Bob Kelly, business development manager for hydrogen energy systems at Air Products. “Processing a waste stream to make hydrogen for use as an alternative fuel is a direction Air Products, together with its customers, is pursuing to take advantage of underutilised hydrogen sources.” Kelly noted this will be Air Products’ sixth hydrogen

fuelling station in South Korea. The company has already placed over 110 hydrogen fuelling stations in the US and 18 countries worldwide. Cars, trucks, vans, buses, scooters, forklifts, locomotives, planes, cell towers, material handling equipment, and even submarines are currently being fuelled using technology. ❒.

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