Air Liquide America to construct a large syngas plant for Eastman Chemical Co.

Air Liquide America Corp. (Houston) has been selected to build a partial oxidation plant for Eastman Chemical Co.'s facility near Longview, TX. The new plant will supply Eastman with syngas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) and steam, replacing all of Eastman's existing steam methane reformers.

By incorporating the latest technology for the production of syngas, this solution for Eastman will substantially reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions from existing plant processes; thus improving the air quality of the Longview community. According to Eastman, the reduction will represent approximately 20%, or 900 tons per year. The new plant will be more energy efficient than the existing steam methane reformers, which will provide a significant cost benefit to Eastman's oxo chemicals production and serve to enhance the overall operations of this major petrochemical complex.

"Oxo aldehydes represent a significant portion of our operations at our Texas site, and we are pleased to partner with Air Liquide on this particular project. This project adds economic value to our overall operations while providing significant reductions in NOX emissions by replacing older, less-efficient units," stated James E. Ray, vice president and general manager of Eastman's Texas Operations.

This facility, consisting of an air separation unit and a partial oxidation plant, represents the largest syngas contract awarded in the history of Air Liquide worldwide. Air Liquide America's alliance partner for syngas/hydrogen/carbon monoxide plants, Howe-Baker Engineers, Inc., will design and construct the partial oxidation plant, and Air Liquide Process and Construction, Inc., will design and construct the air separation unit. This project confirms Air Liquide's major position in the supply and manufacturing of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, syngas and steam to the petrochemical industry.

"This project award represents the culmination of a team effort between Eastman, Air Liquide America and Howe-Baker to develop a win-win solution not only for our respective companies, but also for the community," said Gary McDow, Air Liquide America vice president, Business Development. "We are pleased to make this significant investment to supply a critical feedstock to help ensure the long term viability of the site."

Plant completion is scheduled for the second quarter of 2002. The new plant joins over 20 similar syngas/hydrogen/carbon monoxide facilities that Air Liquide operates worldwide.

Edited by David Nakamura