Linde’s New Air Separation Unit in the U.S. Begins Operation
On October 14, Linde announced that its new air separation unit has started supplying industrial gases. The facility primarily serves customers in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville in eastern Tennessee, as well as in northern Alabama and Georgia.
The new air separation unit (ASU) will produce liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, and liquid argon to support economic growth along the Interstate 75 corridor. The plant will enhance Linde’s strong presence in the region, support growth opportunities across multiple end markets, and further strengthen the efficient and reliable supply for customers.
Todd Lawson, Vice President of Linde’s Eastern Region, stated, “Various industries along the I-75 corridor in eastern Tennessee have experienced significant growth. Through this investment, we are enhancing our production and supply network to meet the increasing demand for industrial gases from customers in the region.”
As a critical component of the industrial gas supply chain, the traditional air separation industry has long relied on various types of gas storage containers. In recent years, aluminum alloy seamless gas cylinders have been gradually transforming the industry with their notable advantages.
These cylinders are made from 6061 aluminum alloy and comply with domestic and international standards such as GB 11460 and ISO 7866, demonstrating significant potential in the global storage and transportation of industrial gases.
Lightweight Design Enhances Operational Efficiency
The most immediate advantage of aluminum alloy gas cylinders is their exceptional lightweight characteristics. Compared to traditional steel cylinders, aluminum alloy cylinders are significantly lighter, which greatly reduces transportation costs and the physical strain of manual handling.
In the air separation industry, where cylinders need to be moved frequently, the lightweight design directly translates into higher operational flexibility and lower logistics costs.
The portability of aluminum alloy cylinders greatly improves workers’ operational efficiency and reduces labor intensity in the air separation industry, where cylinders are moved often.
Excellent Corrosion Resistance Ensures Gas Purity
The air separation industry involves the storage and transportation of various industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and argon, requiring high corrosion resistance on both the inner and outer surfaces of the containers. Aluminum alloy material naturally offers excellent corrosion resistance, effectively resisting erosion from multiple chemical substances.
After special treatment, the inner surface of aluminum alloy gas cylinders ensures clean, corrosion-resistant gas storage, preserving gas purity without contamination from metals.
This feature makes aluminum alloy cylinders particularly suitable for the storage and transportation of high-purity gases, meeting the air separation industry’s stringent requirements for gas quality.
Outstanding Safety Performance for Greater Peace of Mind
Safety is a core consideration in selecting gas cylinders for the air separation industry. Aluminum alloy cylinders deliver exceptional safety performance due to their excellent structural integrity.
Aluminum alloy seamless gas cylinders feature a cylindrical body structure with threaded openings and protective neck rings, manufactured through rigorous production processes.
Compliance and Standardization
Compliance with domestic and international standards is the foundation for the widespread application of aluminum alloy gas cylinders in the air separation industry. These cylinders are not only manufactured in strict accordance with the GB11640 standard but also comply with internationally recognized standards such as EN, DOT, and ISO.
Standardized design ensures the interchangeability and versatility of aluminum alloy gas cylinders in the air separation industry, providing users with greater flexibility and convenience.
Cylinder color, threading, valves, and accessories can be customized according to customer requirements to meet specific user needs.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
From a long-term perspective, aluminum alloy gas cylinders demonstrate significant advantages in lifecycle cost. Although the initial purchase cost may be slightly higher than that of traditional steel cylinders, their longer service life and lower maintenance requirements result in reduced overall costs.
Aluminum alloy gas cylinders have an exceptionally long service life, outperforming many traditional cylinder types.
Additionally, aluminum is a recyclable material, aligning with green environmental requirements. The high recycling rate of discarded aluminum cylinders fully embodies the concept of a circular economy.
As the air separation industry continues to demand higher efficiency, safety, and sustainability, these advantages of aluminum alloy gas cylinders will lead to broader market recognition.
Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and more environmentally friendly—these characteristics align perfectly with the direction of modern industrial development.
In the future, with advancements in materials science and manufacturing technology, aluminum alloy gas cylinders will play an even more important role in the air separation industry.
