ArcelorMittal Selects Air Products PRISM® Technology for Reliable On-site Gas Production

LEGHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) has signed a contract with ArcelorMittal to supply three PRISM^® PHG100 hydrogen gas generators (PHG) and a high-purity PRISM^® GN700 nitrogen generator for their Saint Chely d'Apcher plant in Southern France. ArcelorMittal awarded the contract on the strength of Air Products' 50 years of experience and management expertise in this industry, along with the modular design and proven reliability of the equipment. The plant is now fully operational.

Air Products, a global leader in the supply and on-site production of hydrogen, has developed a range of compact and low- to medium-capacity steam methane reformers (SMR). The Air Products SMR technology converts steam and lighter hydrocarbons, such as methane, into hydrogen and carbon monoxide efficiently and economically. Additionally, the PRISM PHGs have a number of positive benefits. They provide an alternative source of industrial gas supply to trailers (bulk hydrogen) for supply to customers in remote locations. They also reduce logistics costs and, as a result, the carbon footprint associated with regular truck rotations while preventing supply disruption.

As the ArcelorMittal Saint Chely d'Apcher plant is not suited for the storage of large amounts of gaseous hydrogen, Air Products' on-site modular concept of three hydrogen generators provides a favourable alternative solution. The system has been designed to operate at the required capacity even when one of the generators is offline, hence the remaining modules and backup storage ensure uninterrupted service. The installation is reliable as well as flexible because each generator can operate at 50 percent capacity, therefore offering flow rates from 50 Nm³/h to 300 Nm³/h.

In addition to hydrogen, Air Products also supplies the plant's nitrogen requirements through a PRISM^® cryogenic generator using a unique technology of distillation to produce high-purity nitrogen. To ensure continuous supply of the gas, two nitrogen backup storage tanks and four vaporisers have been installed to support the generator. 

Both hydrogen and nitrogen are used in the annealing line of Saint Chely d'Apcher's plant to produce non-grain-oriented electrical steels which, among other uses, are used in electric engines and wind turbines. This solution does not only increase ArcelorMittal's production of high-value steel products, but also contributes to lower carbon dioxide emissions at the plant. Additionally, Air Products' robust on-site concept allows significant savings to ArcelorMittal by improving plant operation and reducing start-up time.

Air Products performs the design, fabrication, installation, technical support, and telemetry service of the equipment. The entire system is operated through Air Products' Operating Service Centre (OSC) in France, where experienced OSC operators monitor critical metrics 24/7 to ensure the plant is operating smoothly and safely, as well as maintenance requirements are clearly identified. 

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE:APD) provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. Recognized as one of the world's most innovative companies by both Thomson Reuters and Forbes magazine, more than 20,000 employees in over 50 countries supply effective solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2013, Air Products had sales of $10.2 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.  

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

SOURCE Air Products