Air Products and Danieli Corus Bring BF Plus to the Steelmaking Industry

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In transforming the blast furnace into a combined iron-maker and fuel producer for high-efficiency power production, Air Products (NYSE: APD) and Danieli Corus are providing a way for today's steel producers to reduce operating costs and improve their environmental footprint.  Blast Furnace Plus (BF Plus) is the new technology offered from the integrated technologies of Air Products and Danieli Corus for steel producers looking for a solution to these two operating priorities.

BF Plus is a patent-pending technology that can reduce blast furnace operating costs while raising the calorific content, which is the heating value or amount of heat released from a fuel during combustion, of the furnace's top gas.  The higher calorific value top gas can be used in combined cycle energy power generation to help maximize energy recovery.  The technology can produce dramatic cost savings on the order of $20 per tonne of hot metal or more and increased hot metal productivity, while optimizing power generation through integration with the blast furnace and decreasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

"BF Plus has the potential to benefit steel producers globally.  The technology offers a way to increase the value of the top gas, and then take that gas and use it to create electrical power and steam.  These two energy products, made from what was generally regarded as a waste, can then be used at the steel producer's site to cut down on energy costs, or even provided to the grid in the case of the electrical energy.  It is really a winning offering in many ways.  At the same time, the use of this blast furnace gas to make energy products cuts down on overall emissions when consideration is given to the displacement of power from other fossil fueled sources," said Joe Terrible, senior business development manager at Air Products.

"The future of integrated steel plants will be influenced by a continuous drive to reduce capital and operational expenditures.  These costs will be more significantly affected by raw materials and energy prices and the effects of environmental legislation.  We are therefore always exploring, investigating and developing improvements to the design and operations of blast furnace ironmaking.  Combining ironmaking and modern power generation provides significant advantages as the blast furnace is effectively a large and highly efficient coal gasifier.  This technology can be implemented in existing facilities as well as new greenfield facilities," said Peter Zonneveld, managing director at Danieli Corus.

Features of BF Plus include the benefit of Air Products' decades of large project global industrial experience.  Under the product offering, Air Products would build, own and operate the oxygen and power generation equipment, thus further minimizing the steelmakers' capital outlay.  More information on BF Plus can be found at www.airproducts.com/blastfurnace.

Air Products and Danieli Corus have integrated their specific expertise to introduce the BF Plus offering.  Air Products pioneered the first on-site gas supply concept over 50 years ago with the steel industry.  From the hot end to the rolling mill, Air Products has provided oxygen, nitrogen, argon and hydrogen gases and technologies for all types of steel processes.  Danieli Corus' technology has origins from 90 years of history in practice today at its state-of-the-art Corus Ijmuiden steelmaking plant.  

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

About Danieli Corus

Using proven technology from Corus' state-of-the-art integrated mills in The Netherlands and UK, as well as from our licensors and other worldwide sources, we help our clients achieve maximum performance.  We bring reliability and economic benefits for ore preparation, coke making, blast furnace iron making and BOF operations.

Based on specialized know-how and vast operational experience, Danieli Corus offers engineering and contracting services as well as consultancy in all areas of iron making and steelmaking and at all levels of development.  From greenfield projects to advanced optimization in established operations, Danieli Corus supports its clients all over the world.  Danieli Corus is a client-focused, solutions-driven company.  It offers an integrated approach to all aspects essential to success in an increasingly competitive global industry.  For more information, visit www.danieli-corus.com.

***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

SOURCE Air Products