(Archived) Praxair Awarded DOE Grant for Ceramic Membrane Development

DANBURY, Conn., September 23, 2010 — Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) has been awarded $35 million by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to accelerate development of oxygen transport membrane (OTM) systems which can dramatically reduce the cost of oxygen for synthesis gas (syngas) production and oxy-fuel combustion.

Building on the success of work previously supported by the DOE to develop basic materials, membrane structures and process integration strategies, this grant will fund OTM equipment and systems development. Pilot-scale combustion and syngas units will be built to demonstrate performance and provide critical data for design of commercial-scale facilities.

Praxair’s OTM technology forms the basis for a zero-emissions, advanced power cycle capable of meeting long-term DOE electricity cost targets for coal-based power plants with carbon dioxide capture. In addition, combustion applications in manufacturing and process plants that may be required to control carbon dioxide emissions would also benefit from commercialization of OTM. OTM syngas systems efficiently convert natural gas and other hydrocarbons to mixtures of hydrogen and carbon monoxide used for making chemicals and liquid fuels.

Praxair is a recognized leader in oxygen-based combustion, with over 200 patents on relevant technologies. Many of these technologies have been in use for decades by customers in the metals, glass, cement and other energy-intensive industries, resulting in reduced emissions, maximized productivity and increased efficiency.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2009 sales of $9 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty 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.