(Archived) Praxair to Participate in Spanish Clean-Coal Project

DANBURY, Conn., September 24, 2007 — Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) announced today that it will work with Fundación Ciudad de la Energía (CIUDEN), a Spanish government agency, to develop a pilot facility incorporating advanced technologies for carbon dioxide abatement and capture from coal-fired electricity generating plants.

To be located in El Bierzo, in northern Spain, the initial phase of project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2009. It will conduct tests using anthracite coal and petroleum coke fuels in both pulverized-coal and circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers under a wide range of operating conditions and with different degrees of oxy-coal combustion. Biomass fuel may be tested at a later stage.

In oxy-coal combustion technology, pure oxygen instead of air is introduced to the boiler, creating a highly concentrated stream of carbon dioxide, which is more economical to capture. Praxair will provide the upstream oxygen supply facilities; the oxygen mixing and injection technology; the downstream carbon dioxide capture and gas-processing technologies and equipment; and the overall control systems integration for the power systems.

"By bringing together government, industry and research institutions, we hope to identify the best combination of engineering, design and equipment to achieve both environmental and economic goals in the reduction of greenhouse gases in power generation," said Prof. Dr. Vicente J. Cortes Galeano, program manager for CIUDEN.

Charles McConnell, Praxair’s vice president for gasification and oxy-coal technology, said, "Praxair is well positioned to be a strong partner in clean-coal projects. We bring proven engineering and design capabilities, gas-processing and systems expertise, and global experience in the capture and purification of carbon dioxide. This project will help us develop the most cost-effective and efficient routes to carbon dioxide capture in power-generation applications."

Praxair Spain is a leading industrial gases supplier in Spain, with 20 air separation and carbon dioxide plants, four pipeline complexes and 15 cylinder-filling stations located throughout the country.

Praxair, Inc. is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2006 sales of $8.3 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.

CIUDEN, created in May 2006, is the main institution of the Spanish Government responsible for developing national geological CO2 capture and storage programs. Its board of directors includes the Ministries of Education, Industry and the Environment.