Linde to supply additional hydrogen to Lima Refining Company

MURRAY HILL, N.J., Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Linde North America has executed a new integrated supply agreement with Lima Refining Company (LRC) for hydrogen and steam utilities to its refinery in Lima, Ohio.

"Linde has a strong presence in the Lima Industrial Cluster and we are very happy to expand our business with our customer LRC, one of the most historic refineries in the world, and an anchor company for this cluster," said Pat Murphy, president Linde Americas. 

LRC, a subsidiary of Husky Energy, is implementing a modernization project (Crude Oil Flexibility or COF) that will further strengthen the refinery and enable processing of a diverse set of crude oils to produce a range of product slates.  Linde already owns and operates two hydrogen plants, which supply hydrogen and steam to refining and petrochemicals facilities, including LRC, and other industrial gas production assets in this cluster.

"LRC will use the additional hydrogen to hydrotreat product streams containing sulfur and other components," said Dr. Raghu Menon, vice president, Tonnage Business Development, Americas, for Linde. "To meet the overall demand, Linde will establish a new state-of-the-art SMR (Steam Methane Reforming) hydrogen plant, and invest in upgrades related to the existing facilities, to increase our cluster hydrogen production capacity and operational flexibility. Overall, Linde expects to invest approximately $100 million for the related enhancements in this cluster."  

It is anticipated that the new hydrogen plant (Linde Lima 3) will be on-stream during the first quarter of 2016. Linde's hydrogen plants in Lima will be operated as a single facility capable of producing more than 60 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of hydrogen for the cluster companies. "We are delighted to announce these significant enhancements that help Linde expand our business presence in Lima," said Ray Carr, vice president, Tonnage Business, Americas, for Linde.

Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, a leading gases and engineering company. In the 2013 financial year, The Linde Group generated revenue of USD 23.1 bn (EUR 16.655 bn), making it the largest gases and engineering company in the world with approximately 63,500 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

Lima Refining Company (LRC) is a subsidiary of Husky Energy, one of Canada's largest integrated energy companies.

For more information, see The Linde Group online at www.linde.com

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130530/NY23246LOGO-b

SOURCE Linde North America