25-01-2011

Linde partners with Pulsair® to deliver total mixing and blending solutions

Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, today announced its partnership with US company, Pulsair® Systems, in Bellevue, Washington state, to enable industries employing mixing and blending systems in the production of liquid products to manage the vital liquid circulation process significantly more efficiently and effectively.

“Linde has historically been a leading provider of compressed air and inert gases helping industries leveraging the liquid circulation process to deliver superlative results,” said Shivan Ahamparam, Global Marketing Manager, Chemistry and Energy, Linde. “This important partnership with Pulsair now allows us to extend our gas technology expertise to significantly shorten the time to mix liquid products in tanks.”

Linde is already a leading provider of atmospheric gases to global process industries where the addition of compressed air or inert gas is a cornerstone of the liquid mixing process to ensure complete and even blending between heavier and lighter liquids - or to prevent product oxidation. Such markets include the food and beverage industry – for example, utilising nitrogen in food oils or wine to prevent product deterioration by exposure to oxygen – or the oil and gas industry where inert gases such as nitrogen are used to blend lubricants, mixing base stock and additives, or thinning heavy emulsions. In addition to its mixing effectiveness, by using compressed air or inert gas as the primary power source for blending, industries involved in liquid processing can become highly energy efficient.

Pulsair's “pulsed air technology” comprises a process which sequentially releases compressed air or gas from the bottom of the tank or vessel containing a liquid or multiple liquids in order to create circulation and mixing. Measured amounts of high pressure air or gas are injected - or “pulsed” - under flat round discs called “accumulator plates” which are installed on the tank bottom.

 The sudden release of air or gas shocks the liquid, setting molecules in motion. As the air or gas forces itself out between the plate and tank floor, it sweeps out heavier liquids and even solids. The air or gas then accumulates above the plate into a very large, single oval shaped bubble. As the bubble rises to the surface, a vacuum is created, pulling heavier bottom liquids and solids up with it. It also pushes the liquid above it up and out towards the tank perimeter. The liquid then moves toward the sides of the tank and travels down the tank wall to the bottom, repeating the process.

Pulsair technology significantly reduces operational costs and downtime. With no moving parts inside the tank, Pulsair mixers have minimal maintenance and can be expected to complete 100,000,000 blending cycles without incident – and with remote programmable capability, Pulsair can be constantly monitored from off-site locations.

For more information, see The Linde Group online at http://www.linde.com