Contribution to Environment Protection  [ Return towards  Who we are  ]

Hydrogen Energy

Air Liquide has over 40 years of experience in hydrogen, a promising clean energy, covering its entire chain from production to application. While continuing to channel its' efforts into hydrogen research and innovation, Air Liquide is taking part in several large international demonstration projects, such as European HyChain Minitrans Project, Horizon Hydrogen Energy Program, Driveway Project, etc.

 

Oxycombustion

Using oxygen for oxycombustion in industrial furnaces reduces nitrous oxide emissions into the atmosphere and facilitates the capture of CO₂. Air Liquide is engaged in numerous pilot projects in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific to test oxygen based processes to reduce CO₂ emissions.

 

The Photovoltaic Industry

Combined photovoltaic installations are expected to contribute approximately 5% of the worldwide electricity generation by 2020. The production of solar cells requires large quantities of ultra-pure gases. Air Liquide is number one gas supplier to this fast-growing industry, and it's products and services are widely used by the photovoltaic industry.

 

Second Generation Biofuels

Air Liquide is working on developing so-called "second-generation" biofuels. These biofuels are produced using the inedible part of plants, leaving the edible part for use as a food source. The objective is to obtain a yield of 4,000 liters of biofuel per hectare (compared to 1,200 today), dividing CO₂ emissions by 10.

 

Cogeneration Units

Air Liquide is constantly investing in cogeneration units which produce steam and electricity simultaneously, much more efficiently than units that generate steam and electricity separately, which results in major saving in fossil fuels and less emission. In 2007, the Group's 16 sets of cogeneration units avoided 573,000 tons of CO₂ emissions being discharged into the atmosphere.

 

Removal of Sulphur from Fuels

The de-sulphurisation of hydrocarbons using hydrogen is necessary to reduce the sulphur dioxides emissions into the atmosphere. In fact, these sulphur dioxides can cause serious respiratory problems in humans. They are not only responsible for the smog pollution of certain built-up areas, but also for acid rain that causes deforestation and the acidification of water. Hydrogen is supplied by Air Liquide to refineries all over the world to avoid discharging 780,000 tons of Sulphur Dioxide per year into the atmosphere. In comparison, France discharges 450,000 tons every year.

 

Air Liquide China Green Action

Air Liquide not only provides advanced industrial solutions to reduce CO₂ emission, but advocates the concept of Carbon-neutral among its employees. In March 2009, Air Liquide China launches a new program named Air Liquide China Green Action in 10 cities across the country. Employee volunteers actively participate in the tree planting activity, thus make the real contribution to environment protection.