11-04-2017

Air Liquide to supply hydrogen purification technology to methanol complex

Air Liquide Engineering and Construction will supply a hydrogen purification PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) unit to one of the largest methanol production facilities to be built by Yuhuang Chemical Inc (YCI) in St. James Parish, Louisiana, as per recently signed agreement. Purified hydrogen will enable higher efficiency of methanol production, with less natural gas consumption per ton of methanol.

The PSA is part of full suite of hydrogen technologies that Air Liquide Engineering and Construction offers to its customers. Air Liquide Engineering and Construction has more than 70 PSA references and combines state-of-the art technology with a wide range of the best performing adsorbents in the market. The Customers also benefit from operating experience gained from a large fleet of PSA units owned and operated by Air Liquide, and from the unique combination of a methanol technology licensor and PSA supplier for this specific application of hydrogen recovery in methanol plants.

YCI is a loyal customer of Air Liquide. In 2014 Air Liquide was selected as the technology provider for the methanol plant and in 2015 as the supplier of oxygen for its world scale methanol manufacturing complex. Air Liquide Engineering & Construction also provides detailed engineering and procurement services for the complex.

Yuhuang Chemical Inc. (YCI) – a US subsidiary of Shandong Yuhuang Chemical Co. Ltd. (SYCC) is building a world scale chemical complex on 1,300 acres in St James Parish, Louisiana. Construction of the methanol complex has begun this year, with the first phase of the methanol project beginning operations by 2018.

Chad Briggs, Vice President Sales & Technology of Air Liquide Engineering & Construction, said: “Air Liquide Engineering & Construction is pleased to provide hydrogen purification solutions complementing our methanol and ASU technologies for the largest methanol production facility in Louisiana. Our capabilities in designing and operating PSA units date back to the early 1960s and since then we continuously improve our offer for the benefit of our customers. This is the case with YCI, who has proven to be a valued partner and we look forward to a long lasting relationship.’’