Producing gases
Using air or the planet's natural resources, Air Liquide produces the gases necessary to industry, health and the preservation of the environment.
Out of the air that surrounds us, Air Liquide produces oxygen, nitrogen, argon and noble gases (neon, krypton, xenon). Separating out these components, which occur naturally in air, allows to develop their unique properties and use them into numerous applications.
These gases are produced in air separation units (ASUs) that use cryogenic distillation.
Air Liquide also produces other gases out of the planet’s natural resources, such as hydrogen, helium, nitrous oxide and silane.
The production technology used depends on what gas is required. For example, hydrogen and carbon monoxide are both produced from methane, a component of natural gas, within steam methane reformers (SMRs).
In order to develop its gas production units, Air Liquide has an in-house Engineering and Construction division. Present in France, North America and Asia, this worldwide engineering organization allows the Group to control the design, building and installation of its gas production units, making them particularly competitive.
