Air Liquide Large Industries US, a provider of industrial gases and related services, has commenced the operation of a new air separation unit (ASU), which is located at its site in Geismar, Louisiana.
The ASU has increased the production capacity in Louisiana and has enabled the company to improve its customer base and further support industrial growth in the region. The production unit has been established to enhance the supply of argon, oxygen and nitrogen to customers in a wide range of sectors, including metals, chemicals, natural gas, refining and others.
In October 2011, the new unit started operations and produces highly pure gases for industrial and medical applications. The products are supplied to clients through ground transportation and a large Mississippi River Pipeline system. Air Liquide has signed a contract in December 2011 to supply gases to new Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) plant of Nucor Steel in Convent.
In addition to the new ASU, Air Liquide’s Geismar complex is equipped with two more units. The first ASU has begun operations in October 1999 and the second unit in February 2000. The complex also comprises a cogeneration plant, a hydrogen purification unit (HPU) and a transportation warehouse. The cogeneration plant delivers about 80% of the energy used by the Geismar facility.