Defeng opts for Praxair cooling technology

The cooling system is necessary for Defeng to manufacture a new active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) that has to be kept below -30°C in a large volume reactor. To achieve this goal Defeng has obtained technology for cooling its plant from Praxair, which is supplying its NCOOL​ system for the task. The NCOOL​ technology Defeng has licensed uses nitrogen to remove the heat from the reactor via a heat exchanger. Praxair claims this system "provides more rapid response and closer approach temperatures without the risk of freezing​." By utilising nitrogen instead of mechanical refrigeration Praxair's system minimises the need for moving parts and does not use ozone-depleting halogenated coolants. David Chow, president of Praxair China, said: "This new application of the NCOOL technology opens up another segment of the fast growing cryogenic refrigeration market in the pharmaceutical industry​." Although Defeng only needs its reactors to be cooled to -30°C the NCOOL​ technology can potentially chill a system to as low as -140°C, providing versatility for users. Praxair's NCOOL​ technology, which the company extols as a highly efficient and effective system, potentially puts it in a strong position to exploit the growing demand for cryogenic refrigeration. In addition to NCOOL​, which is an indirect cooling system. Praxair's portfolio includes DCOOL​ that offers direct cooling. This system injects liquid nitrogen directly into the reactants to give the "fast response and precise temperature control required for fine chemical applications​". Through use of its proprietary injector in the DCOOL​ system Praxair believes it has eliminated the risk of freezing. By offering the NCOOL​ and DCOOL​ systems, as well as its range of cryogenic condensation and freezing equipment Praxair has created a portfolio spanning numerous aspects of the manufacturing process that require a cooling component. The company's reach extends far beyond pharmaceutical cooling though, with a portfolio covering industrial gases used by the aerospace, chemicals and energy industries among others. Sales in 2007 totaled $9.4bn.