LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.,
March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Air
Products (NYSE: APD) ion transport membrane (ITM) technology was
presented a Technology Transfer Award by the Electric Power
Research Institute (EPRI) at a recent ceremony held in New Orleans, Louisiana. EPRI Technology
Transfer Awards, which represent the highest achievements realized
during the year by EPRI, specifically lauded Air Products for its
"Ion Transport Membrane for Lower-Cost Oxygen Production."
Air Products' patented ITM oxygen production technology could
significantly increase the efficiency and reduce the costs of
advanced coal-fired power plants, both with and without carbon
dioxide capture and storage systems. Air Products received
EPRI's award for advancing its ITM technology and research results,
for leadership in the implementation of the technology, and for
leadership in the development of the technology.
"We are honored to have been presented an award by EPRI,
recognizing the advancement that ITM technology offers the energy
industry," said Ted Foster, director
- Business Development at Air Products. "We believe ITM oxygen
technology will play a role in advancing coal-based clean power
generation both in today's power market, and also in the
anticipated carbon-constrained environment of the future."
ITM technology uses a ceramic material which, under pressure and
temperature, ionizes and separates oxygen molecules from
air. No external source of electrical power is required in
this process. The technology would be an alternative to
traditional cryogenic air separation units, the conventional means
of producing the large quantities of oxygen required by an
integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant and also the
newer oxy-combustion electric power plants, which would capture
carbon dioxide. This process typically contributes up to 15 percent
of the capital cost of the plant and up to 80 percent of the
internal power demand. ITM technology has the potential to produce
oxygen more economically and efficiently, decrease the oxygen plant
footprint, and also decrease the cooling water requirement for most
large oxygen demand applications.
"Air Products has been a leader in the development and
application of ITM oxygen technology since 1988. This leadership
and involvement has significantly advanced the development of ITM
oxygen technology that offers significant cost and performance
benefits," said Tom Alley, vice
president of Generation at EPRI. Alley presented the EPRI
award to Air Products.
Current ITM technology work successfully builds on investments
by Air Products and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop
options to lower the capital and operating cost of IGCC and
oxy-combustion electric power generation plants. Most recently, in
2010, Air Products was selected for $71
million in funding from DOE for development of ITM oxygen
technology for integration with advanced industrial systems. The
funding pointed Air Products to accelerate commercial manufacturing
of ion transport membrane modules and initiate the development of a
2,000 ton per day pre-commercial scale facility ahead of schedule,
enabling this technology to potentially enter the marketplace at
least two years earlier than previously projected.
Since 2009, Air Products has been involved with an EPRI Industry
Technology Demonstration collaborative comprising seven electric
utility companies.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy,
technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio
of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance
materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940,
Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets
such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare
services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and
adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture,
operational excellence and commitment to safety and the
environment. In fiscal 2010, Air Products had revenues of
$9 billion, operations in over 40
countries, and 18,300 employees around the globe. For more
information, visit www.airproducts.com.
***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements
within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are
based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of
the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual
performance and financial results may differ materially from
projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking
statements because of many factors not anticipated by management,
including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its
fiscal year ended September 30,
2010.
SOURCE Air Products