Supply of rare gases: production of neon, krypton and xenon
-Taiyo Nippon Sanso to Install New Air Separation Unit at Kimitsu SC-
ーAir Water to Install New Air Separation Unit in NYー
We will deliver a summary from the articles published in Gaspedia.
Taiyo Nippon Sanso and Nippon Steel:
Established Kimitsu Sanso Center (Kimitsu SC).
In September 2022, it was established within Nippon Steel for the purpose of improving the production efficiency of rare gases.
Installed a new energy-saving state-of-the-art air separation unit at Kimitsu SC.
Operation will begin at the end of June 2025.
Kimitsu SC: Supply of rare gas
Supply oxygen gas, nitrogen gas and argon gas to East Japan Works.
Supply rare gases and high-quality products to Taiyo Nippon Sanso.
Taiyo Nippon Sanso’s rare gas equipment:
At the same time, equipment for manufacturing rare gases (neon, krypton, xenon) was installed.
Japan relies on imports of rare gases from Russia and Ukraine.
Rare gas production will be increased at Kimitsu SC in the future.
Rare gas unit operation period:
Krypton-xenon device – completed in August 2025.
Neon device – operational in March 2026.
What are rare gases (neon, krypton, xenon):
Collected as a by-product in the production of oxygen, nitrogen, and argon in a large air separation unit.
Japan, which has few large air separation units, relies on imports for the majority.
Uses of rare gas:
It is mainly used in the fields of electronics, lighting, space, and energy conservation.
In recent years, global demand has increased and supply has tightened.
https://igaspedia.com/2023/08/04/tn-sanso-nipponsteel-kimitsu-sanso-center-asu/
Air Water to Build Air Separation Plant in Rochester, NY, USA
We will deliver a summary from the articles published in Gaspedia.
Air Water America Inc. (AW America):
Decided to build the first air separation unit in Rochester, NY, USA.
As a result, we will develop a consistent gas supply business from industrial gas production to sales.
AW America:
Constructed an air separation unit (to produce oxygen, nitrogen and argon) in the Eastman Business Park.
Signed an on-site gas supply contract with a utility management company.
Construction will start in November 2024, and operations will begin in September 2025.
Entry into the gas supply business:
The AW Group has entered the gas supply business, which provides a one-stop service from manufacturing to sales.
In May 2022, Noble Gas Solutions, LLC was brought into the group and the industrial gas sales business was started.
Air separation unit overview:
Location: Eastman Business Park
Manufacturing items: Nitrogen gas, liquefied oxygen, liquefied nitrogen, liquefied argon
Production capacity: 240 tons/day
Total investment: approx. 4 billion yen
Start of construction: November 2024 (planned)
Start of operation: September 2025 (planned)
North American industrial gas market:
The industrial gas market in North America exceeds 3 trillion yen. It is more than five times that of Japan.
Air Water’s hydrogen station business:
Invested in FirstElement Fuel, Inc. in California.
The Company provides transportation equipment such as liquefied hydrogen tanks and trailers.
https://igaspedia.com/2023/08/03/airwater-america-eastman-business-park-asu/