Unique equipment for rare gases is manufactured by “Cryogenmash”
31.10.2022
“FAKT” newspaper issued the interview of technical consultant, Process Solutions Department of PJSC “Cryogenmash” – Alexander Semenovich Bronshtein, concerning the rare gases production.
– Alexander Semenovich, tell us, how long do you work at “Cryogenmash”?
– I has been working here since 1966. I am involved in different spheres, including the development of plants for rare gases production. This field has a great relevance, because the consumption of rare gases is highly increased last years.
– Which gases are considered as rare ones?
– Helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon. My profile is krypton and xenon.
– Why are these gases called rare?
–The point is that in order to produce one cubic meter of krypton, almost 1 million cubic meters of air must be processed. Thus, one million cubic meters contains only one cube of krypton, and even less amount of xenon. To produce one cubic meter of xenon, it is necessary to process 11 million 600 thousand cubic meters of air. In addition, these gases are produced in several stages from ambient air. The first stage is associated with the processing of a huge amount of air at cryogenic air separation plants – the main products of “Cryogenmash”.
– Is the production safe?
– Methane and other hydrocarbons accumulate next to rare gases, which are very dangerous in combination with oxygen, so the production of xenon and krypton is always associated with ensuring the safe operation of cryogenic air separation plant. “Cryogenmash” has been a trusted leader in this field for many years; this explains why out of almost 100 plants in the world, which produce primary krypton-xenon concentrate – about a third is manufactured by “Cryogenmash”.
– How much plants for production of pure krypton and xenon are in the world?
– Not more than 20 plants in the whole world, and two of them are manufactured in Balashikha and supplied to PRC. And the advantage of our plants is that they ensure all stages of strengthening the concentration and purification of rare gases; as a result, pure and high pure krypton and xenon are produced from the original raw materials.
For more details, click here
– Alexander Semenovich, tell us, how long do you work at “Cryogenmash”?
– I has been working here since 1966. I am involved in different spheres, including the development of plants for rare gases production. This field has a great relevance, because the consumption of rare gases is highly increased last years.
– Which gases are considered as rare ones?
– Helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon. My profile is krypton and xenon.
– Why are these gases called rare?
–The point is that in order to produce one cubic meter of krypton, almost 1 million cubic meters of air must be processed. Thus, one million cubic meters contains only one cube of krypton, and even less amount of xenon. To produce one cubic meter of xenon, it is necessary to process 11 million 600 thousand cubic meters of air. In addition, these gases are produced in several stages from ambient air. The first stage is associated with the processing of a huge amount of air at cryogenic air separation plants – the main products of “Cryogenmash”.
– Is the production safe?
– Methane and other hydrocarbons accumulate next to rare gases, which are very dangerous in combination with oxygen, so the production of xenon and krypton is always associated with ensuring the safe operation of cryogenic air separation plant. “Cryogenmash” has been a trusted leader in this field for many years; this explains why out of almost 100 plants in the world, which produce primary krypton-xenon concentrate – about a third is manufactured by “Cryogenmash”.
– How much plants for production of pure krypton and xenon are in the world?
– Not more than 20 plants in the whole world, and two of them are manufactured in Balashikha and supplied to PRC. And the advantage of our plants is that they ensure all stages of strengthening the concentration and purification of rare gases; as a result, pure and high pure krypton and xenon are produced from the original raw materials.
For more details, click here