A new Air Products SMR is now operational in the US Gulf Coast to support a Huntsman Chemical facility

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Image courtesy of Air Products

Industrial gases firm Air Products announced the startup of its new steam methane reformer (SMR) and cold box in Geismar, LA on Wednesday. The facility supplies carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen, and steam to Huntsman Chemical under a long-term agreement. 

“Air Products’ new Geismar facility was successfully placed onstream and met the customer’s desired schedule and product needs. The facility is state-of-the-art and offers high reliability and sustainability, with enhanced energy efficiency and reduced emissions,” said Dr. Samir J. Serhan, chief operating officer for Air Products, in a company release. “We have a long-standing relationship with Huntsman, and we are pleased this new world-scale facility and long-term supply agreement expands our support for Huntsman’s operations.”

Located on a property owned by Huntsman, the new asset is hooked up to Air Products’ Gulf Coast hydrogen pipeline and network system (GCP). The site has a capacity of 6.5 million standard cu ft per day (MMSCFD) of CO, 50 MMSCFD of hydrogen, and 50,000 lb/hr of steam. In addition, Air Products’ new Geismar facility can expand its production of CO to meet future increases in demand. 

“The new plant substantially improves HyCo reliability and strengthens the reliability and environmental performance of our upstream MDI-polyurethanes assets at Geismar, which in turn underpins our drive into downstream markets,” the president of Huntsman’s Polyurethanes division, Tony Hawkins, said in a statement. 

This January, Air Products said it is investing $500 million to build, own, and operate a new SMR for hydrogen production and an air separation unit (ASU) for nitrogen to support a new world-scale ammonia production plant in Texas City, TX operated by Gulf Coast Ammonia (GCA). 

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Powder Bulk Solids Staff

Established in 1983, Powder & Bulk Solids (PBS) serves industries that process, handle, and package dry particulate matter, including the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical markets.

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