Industrial Gas Compressors for Chemicals & Processing
Diaphragm compression solutions for chemical processing, intermediates, and manufacturing
The chemicals and intermediates market includes chemical-processing applications where industrial gases are used as feedstocks, reactants, protective atmospheres, fuels, process media, or enabling utilities.
Common gases include hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, helium, acetylene, ammonia, methane, sulfur hexafluoride, krypton, and specialty gas mixtures.
What Are Chemicals and Intermediates?
Chemicals and intermediates are materials used to create other chemicals, fuels, industrial products, or finished goods.
Industrial gases may serve as:
- Chemical feedstocks
- Process reactants
- Reducing or oxidizing agents
- Fuels
- Protective or inert atmospheres
- Cooling or insulating media
- Carrier gases
- Purge gases
- Welding and fabrication gases
- Bottled products for commercial distribution
Compression is often required to move these gases from production, storage, or supply pressure to the pressure needed by the downstream process, filling operation, distribution system, or customer application.
PDC Machines provides diaphragm compressors and integrated compression packages for industrial gases used as feedstocks, reactants, fuels, protective atmospheres, process media, and enabling utilities.
Our compressors support chemical synthesis, industrial gas cylinder filling, glass and steel production, sustainable fuels, methanol and ammonia manufacturing, research facilities, pilot plants, and other demanding industrial applications.
From hydrogen and nitrogen to oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, helium, carbon monoxide, ammonia, methane, and specialty gases, PDC engineers each compression solution around the gas, operating conditions, purity requirements, and downstream process.
Where PDC Fits in an Industrial Process
PDC Machines is an industrial gas compression company. We provide bare block diaphragm compressors and integrated systems within larger chemical, manufacturing, industrial gas, and process systems.
Depending on the application, PDC can provide:
- Bare diaphragm compressor units
- Skid-mounted gas-compression packages
- Systems with piping, controls, instrumentation, and cooling
- Compression for chemical feed and process gases
- Gas transfer and storage-filling compression
- Cylinder and bundle filling
- Gas recovery and recycling
- Pilot-plant and research compression systems
- Application engineering and compressor sizing
- Spare parts, field service, training, and refurbishment
Compression engineered around gas and process
Gas composition, purity, flow, pressure, temperature, duty cycle, and material compatibility all influence compressor selection. PDC evaluates the complete application before recommending a diaphragm compressor or packaged system.
Industrial Gas and Chemical Applications We Support
PDC Machines’ diaphragm compressors play a pivotal role in various industrial applications. As a leading manufacturer of diaphragm compressors, PDC offers cutting-edge solutions that cater to the unique needs of various end-uses.
Industrial Gas Distribution
Cylinder Filling Plants compress gases into cylinders, multi-cylinder packs, or other portable storage containers for distribution to customers and end-use markets.
PDC compressors support filling applications involving various gases for applications including:
- Individual cylinder filling
- MCPs
- Tube trailers
- Cascade storage
- Specialty gas blending
- High-purity gas filling
- Research and laboratory gas supply
PDC supplies the compression package with integrated and remote control panels. The complete filling plant, manifolds, analytical systems, and gas-handling infrastructure are generally provided by the plant operator or system integrator.
Research and Pilot Plants
Customers such as research institutions, laboratories, universities, chemical companies, and technology developers use gases in experimental, demonstration, and small-scale production systems before commercial deployment.
PDC Supports:
- Research and development
- Pilot plants
- Demonstration systems
- Process scale-up
- Catalyst testing
- High-pressure reaction systems
- New gas-production technologies Alternative fuel development Small-scale chemical synthesis
High-Temperature and Materials Processing
Float Glass Blanketing – Gases used to create an inert atmosphere over molten glass to prevent defects
Oxyfuel Combustion – Gases supplying oxygen or fuel for controlled combustion processes in manufacturing
Direct Reduction of Iron and Steel Production – Hydrogen used as a reducing agent in iron and steel production
Welding and Metal Fabrication – Industrial gases are used as fuels, shielding gases, cutting gases, and process media in welding and fabrication.
Chemical Production and Synthesis
Chemical Synthesis – Industrial gases are frequently used as feedstocks, reactants, carrier gases, or process media in the production of chemicals and intermediates.
Methanol Synthesis – Methanol is commonly produced using synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
Ammonia Production – Hydrogen and other gases employed in ammonia production processes
Hydrogenation of Oils and Fats – Hydrogenation introduces hydrogen into oils, fats, or other organic materials to alter their chemical and physical properties.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – Hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, synthesis gas, and other process gases may be used in sustainable aviation fuel production pathways.
Electrical Insulation and Thermal Management
Gases may be used for electrical insulation, heat transfer, cooling, atmosphere control, or thermal management.
Relevant gases can include:
- Sulfur hexafluoride
- Krypton
- Argon
- Hydrogen
- Helium
- Nitrogen
Applications may include:
- Gas recovery and recycling
- Electrical equipment
- Generator cooling
- High-voltage testing
- Insulated glazing
- Electronics manufacturing
- Research systems
Common Gases Supported
PDC engineers compressors for a wide range of gases, including but not limited to
- Hydrogen
- Nitrogen
- Oxygen
- Argon
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Helium
- Acetylene
- Ammonia
- Methane
- Sulfur hexafluoride
- Krypton
- Specialty gases
- Gas mixtures
Each gas requires different engineering expertise related to molecular weight, flammability, oxidizing properties, toxicity, corrosivity, gas purity, moisture, condensation, material compatibility, required leak tightness, compression temperature, and applicable codes
Why PDC Machines’ Diaphragm Compression for Chemical and Industrial Gases?
Oil-Free Gas Handling
The process gas is isolated from the hydraulic system, helping protect high-purity gases and sensitive downstream processes from oil contamination.
High-Pressure Capability
Single-stage and multistage configurations can support gas transfer, storage filling, cylinder filling, reaction-gas supply, and other high-pressure industrial applications.
Leak-Tight Operation
Diaphragm compressors are well suited to applications involving valuable, hazardous, reactive, high-purity, or difficult-to-contain gases.
Broad Gas Compatability
PDC engineers compressor materials and system components around the specific gas composition and operating conditions.
Flexible Packaging
Compressors can be supplied as bare units for integration by an OEM or packager, or as integrated packages with piping, controls, instrumentation, cooling, and auxiliary equipment.
Long-Term Service Support
PDC supports compressors throughout their operating life with scheduled maintenance, field service, spare parts, technical training, troubleshooting, and refurbishment.
Find the Right Compressor for Your Industrial Gas Application
Whether you are developing a chemical process, filling industrial gas cylinders, supporting a pilot plant, recovering valuable gas, or upgrading an existing facility, PDC Machines can help define and deliver the required compression scope.