COP21: Air Liquide wins an Innovation Award from the France-China Committee for its Heat Oxy-Combustion technology

On the occasion of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) at Paris-Le Bourget, the France-China Committee¹ awarded last Friday December 4^th, its 2015 Innovation Awards focused on “Climate Solutions” and awarded Air Liquide the Innovative Product Award for its Heat Oxy-Combustion technology. Developed by Air Liquide R&D teams, this breakthrough innovation enables to reduce the environmental impact of the glass melting process.

Energy efficiency and emission reduction are critical for the glass industry which needs a significant amount of energy to achieve the extremely high temperatures necessary for glass melting. Oxy-combustion is based on the enrichment of air with pure oxygen. It is widely used for the glass and metal industries to improve the combustion process, reduce air pollutant emissions and save fuel.

The Heat Oxy-Combustion technology is an innovative technology that makes oxy-combustion even more efficient. It is based on the following principle: extract heat from the combustion fumes and use it to heat oxygen and fuel hence maximizing the oxy-combustion performance by 10%. Compared to air combustion, this technology provides up to 50% energy savings and up to 50% CO2 emission reduction.

So far, this technology has been implemented in several glass factories in Europe, owned by major glass players. It is of particular interest to the Chinese market which represents about 50% of the worldwide glass production.

To develop this unique patented technology, Air Liquide’s R&D teams have designed safe and reliable equipment, fully integrated with glass melting furnaces. The Group has substantial R&D resources and strong experience in glass making thanks to its extensive network of field experts and dedicated testing platforms in France, the United States and China. For more than 20 years, they have been mastering oxy-combustion technologies including patented burners and furnace heat modeling.

François Darchis, member of the Air Liquide Executive Committee supervising Innovation and the Industrial Merchant Business Line, commented: “We are honored to receive this prize which demonstrates the unique expertise of Air Liquide in the field of oxy-combustion and its capacity to provide innovative technologies to address the industry’s environmental challenges. This recognition by the France-China Committee recognizes Air Liquide leadership in innovation.”

¹ The France-China Committee is a private, non-profit organization with a membership of more than 100 French companies that do business with China. Founded in 1979 at the initiative of the French business community and supported by the French and Chinese authorities, the aim of the CFC is to promote understanding and knowledge between French business and the Chinese government as well as Chinese companies. www.comitefrancechine.com