Praxair China, a supplier of industrial gases, has announced that it has inked a long-term agreement with Yankuang Group and Yankuang Guohong Chemical. According to the contract, Praxair will supply industrial gases to its coal gasification process in order to produce methanol and downstream chemicals at the chemical park located in Zoucheng city, North China.
The coal to chemical project of Yankuang Guohong is experiencing a gas demand, therefore Praxair will built a large air separation unit (ASU), having a potential of 3,000 tons of oxygen in a day. Praxair will also acquire the existing air separation units of Yankuang Guohong. The new facility is likely to become operational by late 2014. Yankuang Guohong’s existing ASUs will be replaced by this new facility. The liquid production and supply network of Praxair China and the liquid oxygen, argon and nitrogen manufactured from the new plants and the existing air separation plants will be integrated. This integration will help enhance reliability and efficiency of supply to the company’s customers in the local merchant market.
This new air separation unit will be the fourth large capacity onsite facility, capable of producing 3,000 tons of gas in a day. Praxair has already constructed two plants of equivalent capacity and these facilities are operating in Wuwei and Zhenjiang to serve clients in the coal-based chemical industry.
Praxair Asia’s President, Dr. Anne Roby commented that the company is delighted to work with Yankuang Group, and is looking forward to maintain a sustainable and long-term association with Yankuang, and help develop the economy and industry of this area.