Yesterday saw the launch of the world’s largest oxygen production plant, worth R2.9 billion, in Secunda.
Built, owned and operated by French industrial gas company Air Liquide in partnership with Sasol, the plant will supply oxygen and nitrogen to the South African chemicals company.
Sasol joint chief executive officer and joint president Bongani Nqwababa pointed out that the chemicals company would also be able to trap comparatively large volumes of two rare noble gases (krypton and xenon) by virtue of operating the world’s largest oxygen production facility.
These gases are used in advanced lighting systems, lasers, medical scanners and photographic systems.
The addition of a 17th oxygen production train will also improve overall plant integrity and lifespan and enable Sasol to operate its Secunda complex up to at least 2050 and will extract air and produce oxygen for utilisation in Sasol’s processes, according to Nqwababa.
The production plant has the ability to produce 5 000 tons of oxygen per day.
Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa added that the facility would make a meaningful contribution to a cleaner environment by consuming less electricity and reducing carbon emissions.
“I have been reliably informed that this new air separation unit uses 20% less electricity which equates to avoiding approximately 200 000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per annum,” she said.
Molewa noted that the new plant would improve the ability to supply oxygen and argon to the industrial gas market in South Africa. She said government welcomed the investment by Air Liquide – its largest outside of Europe – as the country was looking to build its productive capacity and capability.
