Linde installs air separation unit in Texas

Linde North America has completed the installation of an air separation unit (ASU) and supporting facilities in La Porte, Texas.

The ASU produces oxygen, nitrogen and argon, and is part of US$250 million that Linde is investing at the site, which also includes a new gasification train and ancillary equipment and facilities.

Gas products

Pat Murphy, President of Linde Americas, commented: "With the new plants, Linde has a fully, integrated presence in the Houston area that covers air gases and synthesis gas products production and supply to our customers. These additional capabilities allow Linde to better serve growth opportunities for the energy, chemicals and manufacturing industries that have been enhanced by the shale gas revolution."

The ASU will produce gaseous oxygen and nitrogen for the existing gasification units as well as a new gasifier under construction at the site.

Natural gas to syngas

"The new gasification unit will be on stream this year, creating the world's largest gas-based partial oxidation complex for the production of syngas products for petrochemicals," Murphy added.

The new gasifier will convert natural gas into syngas and constituent products such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which are also used to produce methanol, downstream chemicals and cleaner transportation fuels. The syngas products will be shipped by pipeline to a key customer.

Merchant market

Liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon produced at the plant is being shipped by truck to serve the merchant market in and around the Houston Ship Channel. The liquid argon is also being shipped by rail to serve customers in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/regasification/24032015/linde-installs-asu-in-texas-471/