Production of Industrial Gases and Speciality Gases Mixture. Investment & Business Opportunities in Oxygen, Nitrogen and Argon Gas Manufacturing Plant

Industrial gases are comprised of elements, molecular compounds, or mixtures. Industrial gases belong to a special class of chemicals that functions in a large number of applications in several end user industries. They are composed at ambient temperature and pressure. These are formed in both liquid and gaseous forms.

Industrial gases are specific gaseous materials produced for industrial purposes, with the most prominent ones being oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, and hydrogen, although various other mixtures are also manufactured and provided as gas cylinders. A number of industries require these customized gases, including steel, oil and gas, chemicals and petrochemicals, biotechnology, medicine, environmental protection, and nuclear power, and the market for the same is feeding off the prosperity of each of them.

Industrial gases are used in a wide range of industries, which include oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, power, mining, steelmaking, metals, environmental protection, medicine, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, water, fertilizers, nuclear power, electronics and aerospace. Industrial gas is sold to other industrial enterprises; typically comprising large orders to corporate industrial clients, covering a size range from building a process facility or pipeline down to cylinder gas supply.

Specialty Gases

Specialty gases represent gases which are rare or ultra-high purity (99.995% and above). Many industries, including analytical, pharmaceutical, electronics and petrochemical benefit from the unique properties of specialty gases that help to improve yields, optimize performance and lower costs. Specialty gases are used in analytical methods such as gas and liquid chromatography as well as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and non-dispersive infrared (NDIR). Other analytical methods are described in the various subpages.

Oxygen

Oxygen is a gas. It is a colorless, tasteless, odourless gaseous element that constitutes 21% of the atmosphere and is found in water, in most rocks and minerals, and in numerous organic compounds, that is capable of combining with all elements except the inert gases, that is active in physiological processes, and that is involved especially in combustion processes. Oxygen is the third most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen and helium and the most abundant element.

Oxygen dissolves more readily in water than nitrogen, and in freshwater more readily than seawater. Water in equilibrium with air contains approximately 1 molecule of dissolved O2 for every 2 molecules of N2 (1:2), compared with an atmospheric ratio of approximately 1:4. The solubility of oxygen in water is temperature-dependent, and about twice as much (14.6 mg•L−1) dissolves at 0°C than at 20°C (7.6 mg•L−1).

Uses

The largest user of oxygen is the steel industry. It is also used in the manufacture of other metals, notably copper and lead. It is more economical to use pure oxygen, or oxygen-enriched air, rather than air as this increases the reaction rates and means that smaller chemical plants can be used.  Further it makes it easier to ensure that no gases such as sulfur dioxide are lost and pollute the atmosphere.

The gas is also used in the manufacture of many chemicals including nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, epoxyethane and chloroethene (vinyl chloride), the precursor to PVC.

Among its other uses is the burning off of carbon deposited on the fluid catalyst used in the catalytic cracking of gas oil

A growing use for oxygen is in treating sewage and effluent from industry.  Polluted rivers and lakes can be cleaned by dissolving oxygen gas directly into the water to encourage a better ecological balance. It is used, for example, in fish farming to provide this balance.

It is also used, with sodium hydroxide, to bleach paper pulp as an alternative to chlorine dioxide or sodium chlorate (I) (sodium hypochlorite).

Nitrogen

Nitrogen gas is one of the most abundant resources on the planet. It makes up around 70 percent of the air around us. What makes it so special is that it is a nearly inert gas that doesn’t react with other compounds in the air. Various industries take advantage of purified nitrogen’s inert characteristics and use the gas to their advantage.

Uses:

Nitrogen gas is used in many varying industries—a few of them are highlighted below:

·         Food Packaging – Nitrogen is used to displace oxygen in food packaging. By eliminating the oxygen, the food can last longer. It can also add a cushion around the food to keep it safe from breaking in transport.

·         Light Bulb Production – In incandescent light bulbs, nitrogen gas is often used as a cheaper alternative to argon.

·         Chemical Plants – Nitrogen is used to displace oxygen and prevent explosions in highly dangerous atmospheres, such as chemical plants and manufacturing facilities.

·         Tire Inflation – Nitrogen offers many benefits when used to fill tires, such as giving them a longer life by reducing oxidation. It also improves tire pressure retention to give drivers better gas mileage.

·         Electronics – When electronics are being assembled, nitrogen gas is used for soldering. Using nitrogen reduces the surface tension to provide a cleaner breakaway from the solder site.

·         Stainless Steel Manufacturing – By electroplating the stainless steel with nitrogen, the finished product is stronger and resistant to corrosion.

·         Pollution Control – Nitrogen gas can be used to remove the VOCs in liquids before they are discarded.

·         Pharmaceuticals – Almost every major drug class contains some nitrogen, even antibiotics. Nitrogen, in the form of nitrous oxide, is also used as an anesthetic.

·         Mining – In the mining industry, nitrogen gas is used to quickly extinguish fires by eliminating the oxygen from the air. And when an area is going to be abandoned, they use nitrogen to ensure the area will not explode.

Nitrogen is used to make ammonia. It is also widely used to provide an inert atmosphere, a process known as 'blanketing', principally to exclude oxygen. For example, nitrogen is used in this way in food packaging, glass making, and semiconductor manufacture.  It is also used to purge out pipes prior to welding (for example, oil pipes) to ensure that no flammable vapours are left behind.

Liquid nitrogen is being increasingly used to refrigerate food during transportation.  Medical samples containing, for example blood, viruses for vaccinations and semen, can be stored for long periods if kept cool in liquid nitrogen.

Argon

Argon is a colourless, odourless, inert gas sourced through the fractional distillation of liquid air. The omnipresent argon gas exists in its natural form in the form of multiple isotopes such as 40Ar, 36Ar, and 38Ar. Owing to its inert reactivity, argon is one of the most preferred gases for shielding metals from oxidation during welding. It is also used for joining several nonferrous and ferrous alloys. Owing to these reasons, the argon gas also finds great usage in aerospace, aircraft and automotive industry where it is used to weld parts and frames. The argon gas has better thermal insulation properties than air and hence, it is one of the most widely used gases for filling the dry suits used for scuba diving. Excimer lasers, which are used for the production of microelectronic devices, use a mixture of argon, fluorine and helium. Argon is also used for a variety of other purposes. For instance, it is used in incandescent lamps and phosphorescent tubes, fire extinguishers and airbag inflation. It is also used during cryosurgery spectroscopy and decarburizing of stainless steel. Although argon is nontoxic in nature, excessive contact can lead to asphyxiation.

Market Outlook

India industrial gases market was valued at $ 2.1 billion in 2017 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of over 11% to surpass $ 3.9 billion in 2023 on account of growing demand from metal industry, particularly steel. Moreover, regular capacity expansions by automobile, refinery and chemical companies coupled with increasing number of new applications of industrial gases is further augmenting demand for industrial gases in the country. Additionally, continuing growth in the country’s healthcare sector and booming food & beverages sector is anticipated to augur well for the industrial gases market in India through 2023.

Growth in the market is anticipated on account of growing demand from various end user industries such as metallurgy and petrochemicals, coupled with implementation of various favorable government policies to support manufacturing sector. Various upcoming steel projects are integrating industrial gas production units to address the bulk requirements for industrial gases, thereby aiding the industrial gases market in the country.

On the basis of type, the industrial gases market in India has been segmented into three categories, namely, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Argon. Region-wise, east region is forecast to dominate the industrial gases market in India over the next five years on account of various upcoming metallurgical projects coupled with presence of major steel production units in this region.

Moreover, regular capacity expansions by automobile, refinery and chemical companies coupled with increasing number of new applications of industrial gases is further augmenting demand for industrial gases in the country.

The Indian market for specialty gases will grow at a CAGR of more than 12% by value during 2017-2026. Specialty gases are ultra-pure gases or minor gases used in specific quantities and proportions for specialized operations in various end user applications. Owing to their unique properties and nature, specialty gases find use in many industries, improving the production process, optimizing operations, improving efficiency and reducing labor time, thus bringing down the overall cost. The two key segments set to drive the specialty gases market in the country are metal & mining and healthcare.

The global industrial gases market size is projected to reach $71.0 billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period. The factors driving the growth of the market include large base of end-use industries, increasing government initiatives toward alternate sources of energy, and increasing healthcare expenditure.

Rising demand from the major end-use industries such as chemicals, petrochemicals, oil and gas, and energy has resulted in the development of the global industrial gases market. With rising environmental concerns, renewable resources are witnessing a growth worldwide, thereby facilitating the market. Apart from this, increasing urbanization and industrialization in the countries of Asia-Pacific and Middle East are expected to provide a thrust to industries such as food and beverages, transportation, chemical and metal fabrication, which in turn will amplify the demand for industrial gases. Additionally, improving economic scenario, climate control initiatives, increased energy demand and healthcare needs in both the developing and developed regions are projected to contribute in the expansion of the market.

Asia Pacific is the largest regional market for industrial gases owing to the growth of several associated end-user industries in this region. Asia Pacific, apart from being the largest market, is expected to be the fastest growing regional market for industrial gases. In terms of demand, Asia Pacific was followed by North America and Europe. However, these regional markets are anticipated to lose out some of their market share to the other emerging markets such as Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Oxygen Gas

The growth of industries such as agriculture, automobiles, beverages, chemicals, construction equipment, food, glass, medicine, ship building, space explorations, steel manufacture etc. require stable oxygen for processes; which is increasing the demand for oxygen production throughout the world. The versatile uses of oxygen in chemical industry as an oxidizing agent and catalyst are contributing to the growth of oxygen market.

Oxygen

Oxygen consumption as breathing aids and apparatus is increasing around the globe because of the increasing pollution, which contaminates air and reduces quantity of natural oxygen in the breathing air. Liquid oxygen is extremely cold apart from its vast applications. Oxygen is being used instead of air to improve performance and capital efficiency in various industries. Oxygen can also enable and activate carbon capture processes. Oxygen is used in gasification processes, process heaters, industrial fermentation and boilers to enhance productivity. In water treatment plants, oxygen is being added directly to the waste water in order to improve the effectiveness of removing pollutants from the water. Most of the celebrities undergo oxygen facials at spas, these facials provide instant nutrition and radiance to the skin. A pressurized steam of oxygen under hyperbaric therapies fortifies the skin with vital nutrients.

Nitrogen Gas

The industrial nitrogen market was valued at USD 15.03 Billion in 2017 and is expected to reach USD 19.96 Billion by 2022. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.83% during the forecast period. The base year considered for the study is 2016, and the market size is projected from 2017 to 2022.

Increasing wide range of applications of nitrogen gas springs across various industries such as automotive, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors is a key factor expected to drive growth of the global nitrogen gas springs market. Nitrogen gas springs are used in vehicles, furniture such as in office chairs, beds, cabinets, kitchen shelves, etc. in order to provide ease of handling and are efficient for lifting, supporting, and motion control of bonnets, hatches, doors, lids etc. However, prime application areas include automotive and industrial sectors. In addition, abundance availability of nitrogen gas, low cost, and various usable properties of the product are other major factors expected to fuel market growth in the coming years. Moreover, major advantages of nitrogen gas springs over conventional springs is expected to further drive growth of the market. Other advantages are that these are corrosion-free, heavy-duty, and have an average lifespan of around 10 years which is expected to drive market growth.

Argon Gas

The increase in the sale of argon is pivotally being driven by the consumption and demand from the thriving metal fabrication industry. Escalating application of argon as a cryogenic inert gas is aiding in the development of the argon gas market. Argon is used during manufacturing and storage in food and beverage and pharmaceutical packaging industry. The thriving electronics industry is also one of the pivotal industry boosting the demand for argon gas. Since argon gas provides the inert atmosphere needed for rapid cooling and heating of materials, it is used for manufacturing semiconductors, flat panels, solar pv cells and microelectronic devices in the electronics industry. The growing popularity of 3-D printed parts, components and even complete systems, is driving growth for the argon gas market.

Global argon market is expected to grow over the forecast period, owing to risings demand in numerous application segments such as electronics, stainless steel and fabricated metal working markets.   Argon is often substituted by helium in various sectors; however, rising helium prices are projected to boost argon demand in several applications. Growing infrastructural activities is expected to foster demand of steel which in turn is expected to drive argon market over the forecast period. Expanding automobile sector is also anticipated to increase product demand as steel is one of the main components of this sector.

Increasing urbanization in emerging economies of Asia Pacific, South America and Africa are expected to drive the demand for argon for lighting purposes. In addition, rapid industrialization in these regions is expected to augment the demand for argon over the next few years. Furthermore, argon is being increasingly used for lightning purposes as it does not cause any harm to the environment. However, inhalation of argon gas is harmful to human life as excessive inhalation causes asphyxiant, which in turn can lead to death.

The automobile industry is anticipated to increase demand of steel, eventually supporting the growth of the global argon market. The growing energy market is likely to increase demand of argon due to its application in insulated window and solar energy. The solar energy market demands massive volumes of argon for manufacturing process. Argon gas is used for insulation of windows to prevent the cold air from glass panes to enter inside. Growing number of malls and shopping complexes using lighting is expected to boost the market during the forecast period.

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