January Features 2007

Lead News

Linde Continues to Complete Merger Deals

Hydrogen Market Update

Refinery H2 Roars Along and the Merchant Business Picks Up Speed

Maura Garvey, CryoGas International's Director of Market Research, updates readers on The Global hydrogen business, already a huge volume business and one that has stayed on the fast-track for growth in 2006. Steadily increasing demand for cleaner fuels has been the primary driver behind growth in the hydrogen business, most of which serves the refinery market. The production and distribution of hydrogen requires a complex system of sourcing and a variety of processes to refine the crude to merchantable pure hydrogen. The hydrogen business also has its own unique liquid and gas distribution supply chains

Four Major Hydrogen Providers-

Four Unique Approaches

In this annual report, CryoGas International invited four major industrial gas players to present their company's hydrogen business platform. The views of Air Liquide, Air Products, Praxair, and Linde on the hydrogen business today and the possibilities for tomorrow are presented. These four companies represent the major providers of hydrogen within the industrial gas industry today. Each one has a unique approach to this complex business and all see themselves as significant players in the emerging hydrogen economy.

A Cryogas International Special Report

An Alternative to Delivered Hydrogen

On Site Hydrogen Supply for the Heat Treat Industry

By Frank Vonesh

Frank Vonesh, Regional Sales Manager, Proton Energy Systems, discusses factors that affect hydrogen reliability, transport and delivery costs in the US, which is building upon its hydrogen production capacity to serve future needs. Industries that power the energy grid and ensure national security will continue as primary hydrogen users. Recent events have demonstrated that the nation's current hydrogen production and delivery infrastructure may not have the capacity to reliably supply lower-priority hydrogen users.

Fuel Cells:

Are We There Yet?

By Agnes H. Baker

A CryoGas International Special Report

Combined Heat and Power:

Cogeneration Heats Up at the Refinery

Combined heat and power (CHP), or cogeneration, refers to the practice of simultaneously producing heat and electric power from a single source fuel. CHP technology is used in areas where electricity rates are high, fuel costs are low, and for applications with a requirement for both electricity and thermal energy. Hydrogen production, specifically hydrogen production in the US Gulf Coast region is an example of an application that fits this bill. In this CryoGas International Special Report, we will see how the major players have maximized efficiency at H2 plants through Cogeneration.

Latin America 2006:

Another Good Year for Industrial Gases

By Eduardo J. Pelitti, CryoGas International Latin American Correspondent

Eduardo J. Pellitti shows us how the major industrial gas companies report continuous growth in their Latin American business. The Latin economies show good growth and several of the major players have reported strong earnings for 2006. Pellitti breaks it down by country and region showing the areas of strongest growth and potential.

PITTCON:

Conference and Expo 2007 Highlights