Praxair Introduces New Low-NOx Technology For Coal-Fired Boilers

Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) today announced its advanced, proprietary low-NOx emissions burner technology for coal-fired, wall-fired utility and industrial boilers.

Utilizing oxygen-enhanced combustion, Praxair's patent-pending burner technology will provide a cost-effective, reliable means to significantly reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions while assisting utility and industrial power generators in meeting their environmental compliance emissions targets. The modular design minimizes installation downtime and improves boiler operational flexibility. Results to date, in commercial burners and research units, demonstrate that this technology is capable of reducing NOx emissions below 0.15 lb/MMBtu.

The development of the oxygen-enhanced combustion technology was co-funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through its National Energy Technology Laboratory and Praxair, in cooperation with The University of Utah, The University of Arizona, Reaction Engineering International and ALSTOM Power Inc.

"Praxair's new low-NOx combustion technology illustrates the value of government and industry working together to develop technology that is good for the environment and good for the ratepayer," said Mike Smith, the Energy Department's assistant secretary for fossil energy. "This new technology is capable of meeting stringent clean air requirements while achieving cost savings of at least 25 percent when compared to state-of-the-art pollution controls. President Bush has made investments in clean coal technologies a priority in his National Energy Policy, and the Praxair burner technology demonstrates the benefit that can come from these investments."

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2001 sales of $5.1 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.