19-03-2015

World's largest air separation unit to rely on a compressor solution from MAN Diesel & Turbo

Air Liquide is opting for compressor technology from MAN Diesel & Turbo in the design of a new record Air Separation Unit in South Africa. The AIRMAX compressor solution it has ordered sets new standards for an entire industry in terms of dimensions and efficiency.

Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, will build the world's largest Air Separation Unit (ASU) in Secunda, South Africa. With a production capacity of 5,000 tonnes of oxygen per day, the ultra-modern facility pushes the technical boundaries that have existed up to now, also with regard to efficiency, reliability and safety. An essential component in the new ASU will be the AIRMAX compressor solution from MAN Diesel & Turbo, which will also set new records in the largest dimension constructed to date.

Dr. Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Diesel & Turbo, commented: "In awarding us the contract for the compressor equipment for this flagship project, Air Liquide is placing great trust in us. This is because we will be building the biggest axial flow compressor ever used in an industrial application. We are thus consolidating the market leadership achieved with our AIRTRAIN and AIRMAX compressor solutions for ASUs by making another significant advance."

The AIRMAX solution deployed consists of a main air compressor of the AR140 type and a type RG 71-4 booster compressor. Both compressors are driven respectively by an electric motor. The AR140 is the biggest version of the MAX1 generation of axial compressors thus far. With an electric driver rated at 65 megawatts, the axial/centrifugal compressor attains an effective volume flowrate of over 1 million cubic meters of air per hour (m3/h). With an electric driver rated at 27 megawatts, the integrally geared centrifugal compressor RG 71-4 further compresses part of the air to over 40 bar abs. The RG 71-4 is designed for a maximum effective flowrate of 65,000 m3/h.