Oxy-combustion

How is Air Liquide involved in oxy-fuel technology?

While combustion has existed for a long time, oxy-combustion has not. Air Liquide is developing oxy-combustion technology that we sell with oxygen. Our technology draws on our fundamental knowledge of combustion and industrial processes such as glass or metal melting, and our expertise in oxy-combustion. We also have R&D teams working with furnace pilots and a network of field experts.

We can design specific burners for a given process, or adapt our technology to the customer’s production configuration (after a preliminary study to understand the type of flame required). We also provide assistance for furnace start-up and performance monitoring, always working closely with our customers to ensure full support.

What are the benefits to customers of oxy-combustion?

There are several customer benefits. Energy efficiency is one, as you can halve fuel consumption. The higher temperature also means better quality results for the end-product. Without nitrogen, you reduce your NOx emissions and CO₂ footprint, so there are definite environmental benefits.

Moreover, you can downsize the flue gas treatment downstream, reducing the size of your scrubber and your particulate emissions. It also means no more investment in regenerators and other pre-heating systems necessary for air. With more space around your furnace you can increase its size without moving locations.

What makes Air Liquide’s oxy-combustion offer competitive?

We have some unique technologies such as Nexelia™ for Melting - Heat Oxy-Combustion, an innovative technology that extracts heat from combustion fumes and uses it to heat oxygen and fuel, hence maximizing the oxy-combustion performance. Compared to air combustion, this technology provides up to 10% in energy savings and reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions as well.

Another solution, BOOSTAL™ is for non-ferrous metal recycling. It has three types of flame within the one burner, meaning you can change the flame orientation and minimize the risk of oxidization. We are also developing burners for coal combustion (solid fuel), biomass, and alternative fuel. We are involved in all major markets, while opening those that don’t yet exist.