Metallurgical Industry

In steel production, ASUs supply oxygen for blast furnaces to accelerate impurity oxidation, reducing smelting time by 30–50%. Nitrogen is used for inerting during casting to prevent steel oxidation, while argon facilitates ladle refining for uniform steel composition.

Non-ferrous metal processing, such as aluminum smelting, relies on oxygen to enhance alumina refining efficiency, and nitrogen for annealing to maintain metal surface quality.

Chemical and Petrochemical Sectors

Oxygen from ASUs supports efficient combustion in cracking furnaces, while nitrogen acts as a blanketing gas to mitigate explosion risks in chemical storage and transportation. High-purity nitrogen is a key raw material in ammonia synthesis, directly impacting production yields.

In LNG processing, nitrogen is used for pipeline inerting to eliminate fire hazards, and oxygen aids in coal gasification to produce syngas for synthetic fuel production.

Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing

Ultra-high-purity argon (≥99.9999%) is critical for sputtering and thin-film deposition in semiconductor fabrication, ensuring contamination-free processes. Nitrogen purges CVD chambers and diffusion furnaces to maintain inert atmospheres and optimize chip yield.

Food and Beverage Industry

Nitrogen is widely used in modified atmosphere packaging to extend shelf life by displacing oxygen and inhibiting microbial growth. Liquid nitrogen enables rapid freezing for food preservation, aligning with rising demands for frozen and convenience foods.

Healthcare and Life Sciences

Medical-grade oxygen (≥99.5%) from cryogenic ASUs is vital for hospital respiratory systems, emergency care, and hyperbaric treatments. Nitrogen supports cryogenic storage of biological samples and vaccines at ultra-low temperatures.