Praxair Signs Clean-Coal Agreement with Vattenfall

Praxair Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), has signed an agreement with Vattenfall AB of Sweden, one of Europe’s leading energy companies, to provide technology and engineering in the joint development of advanced power-generation technology that would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired electricity generating power plants.

The project involves a conceptual study for a possible 500-megawatt combined heat and power plant in Germany that would incorporate Praxair’s oxy-coal technology. This technology will enable the capture of more than 90% of the carbon dioxide generated by coal-fired boilers.

The project would require approximately 8,000 tons per day of oxygen. Praxair will develop the conceptual design, cost and performance estimates for the oxygen production facilities as well as for the carbon dioxide processing unit. The captured carbon dioxide would be transported by pipeline to a sequestration site or enhanced oil recovery field.

“Projects such as this are fundamental to advancing the technology and know-how necessary to reduce greenhouse gases,” says Chuck McConnell, Praxair’s vice president for oxy-coal technology and gasification. “Working with innovative partners around the world, Praxair is advancing carbon-capture technology to help reduce the environmental footprint of coal, one of the world’s most abundant fuel sources.”

This is Praxair’s third clean-coal project. The company is participating in demonstration projects in Jamestown, New York, and in El Bierzo, Spain. Praxair also has a multi-year agreement with Foster Wheeler North America Corp. to jointly pursue specific clean-coal demonstration projects that will integrate oxy-coal technology with the combustion systems of new and existing coal-fired electric generating plants.

Oxy-coal combustion involves the efficient combustion of coal in a mixture of oxygen and recirculated flue gas. Air emissions are reduced by a factor of 10 compared to the best air-based, coal-burning technology currently available.

Praxair, a recognized leader in combustion technologies, holds 200 patents related to oxygen-based combustion technologies. Praxair’s combustion technologies have been used for decades by customers in the metals, glass, cement and other energy-intensive industries to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.

Vattenfall, a Swedish crown company, is Europe’s fifth-largest power company. Vattenfall generates electricity, produces heat and supplies energy to several million customers in the Nordic countries and northern Europe. The major customers are industrial plants, energy companies, municipalities, property companies and housing associations. More information is available on the Internet at www.vattenfall.com.