Air Liquide: Two major successes in extreme cryogenics for scientific research

Regulatory News:

Air Liquide (Paris:AI):

The research of the ITER project and its related project JT-60SA on fusion aims to develop know-how in this new source of energy to meet the challenge of increasing energy needs. Air Liquide will provide extreme cryogenic systems for these two major projects. The total value of these equipment sales contracts will reach over €100 million.

Based near Marseille, in France, the ITER project plans the creation of an experimental reactor intended to illustrate the scientific and technical feasibility of fusion. This process generates little waste and eliminates any risk of reactor runaway. To obtain the very powerful electromagnetic fields necessary to confine fusion, superconducting magnets must be used, which only work at extremely low temperatures.

For this project, Air Liquide will provide the biggest centralised refrigeration system ever built. This cryogenic equipment is essential for maintaining an extremely cold temperature for the 10,000 tonnes of superconducting magnets used on the Tokamak*. This sophisticated scientific instrument confines the plasma that makes it possible to achieve the conditions necessary for controlled fusion.

This closed circuit refrigeration system is based on the properties of liquefied helium, whose temperature is close to the lowest possible temperature 0 K, or - 273°C, called "absolute zero". Between the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2017, Air Liquide will install three refrigerators for a global cooling capacity of 75 kW at 4.5 K, or - 269 °C.

The purpose of the JT-60SA project, a Tokamak-style infrastructure, based in Naka in Japan, is to support the ITER project's research activities on fusion by working on the capacity to control and maintain the plasma for several hours. JT-60SA is led by the Japanese Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) in collaboration with the French organisation CEA. For this project, Air Liquide will commission, in 2015, a helium refrigeration system, intended to cool the Tokamak.

François Darchis, Senior Vice-President and a member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee, commented: "We would like to thank ITER Organisation and the Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission in France for their trust on these two ambitious projects. After the CERN's LHC and Kstar in Korea, these projects once again prove our capacity to meet major scientific challenges by supplying very high tech systems. This means Air Liquide is involved in significant international scientific projects that will shape our future and contribute to the development of tomorrow's energy solutions."

Air Liquide and scientific cryogenics

Air Liquide has unique expertise in the field of low temperatures and recognised know-how in the design, production, and installation of high-capacity gas liquefaction and refrigeration systems (the CERN's LHC in Switzerland, for example).

Air Liquide has also supplied cryogenic equipment for the biggest fusion projects of the last 25 years (Tore Supra, JET, SST-1, and KSTAR).

ITER and the Tokamak*

Based in Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, in the South of France, this project centres around the Tokamak (toroidal magnetic confinement chamber). Using electromagnetic fields, this sophisticated scientific instrument will make it possible to generate plasma to create the conditions necessary for the controlled fusion of atoms. This fusion generates the same type of energy as the sun, which, eventually, will be recovered in the form of electrical energy. ITER will test the fundamental technologies to initiate the next stage, called "DEMO": a demonstration fusion reactor capable of producing energy for commercial purposes.

About JT-60SA

Based in Naka, in Japan, the trials of JT-60SA (which stands for "Japan Tokamak 60 Super Advanced") are part of one of the three projects that will be carried out in Japan as part of the Broader Approach Agreement, under the joint supervision of Europe and Japan, thereby contributing to the construction phase of the ITER project in Europe.

This Tokamak was designed to optimise plasma configurations for the ITER and DEMO projects. This project is led in Japan by the Japanese Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), which is collaborating with the Commission for Atomic Energy and alternative energies (CEA in France) for the improvement of Tokamak.

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in 80 countries with 46,200 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide’s activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to achieve dynamic growth and a consistent performance.

Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry’s energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy… Oxygen for hospitals, home healthcare, fighting nosocomial infections… Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.

A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquide’s teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future.

Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its sustainable development approach. In 2011, the Group’s revenues amounted to €14.5 billion, of which more than 80% were generated outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.

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