Trade News
Munich, 10 February 2014 - Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, today announced that Danish Aerospace Company (DAC) has selected Linde’s ECOCYL® specialty gas cylinders to calibrate important respiratory measurement equipment onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Both measurement equipment and cylinders are scheduled for launch on a European Ariane-5 rocket in South America during summer 2014.
DAC is a leader in the field of advanced medical instrumentation for space applications. ECOCYL® will be used to calibrate DAC’s Portable Pulmonary Functional System which will measure vital respiratory functions on astronauts, fitness evaluation and further scientific investigations. Extremely high standards are set by the aerospace industry not only for gases, but for their containers, and it is the first time this unique commercial cylinder will be employed for in-space equipment calibration.
“We are delighted that ECOCYL® has not only been approved, but selected from many contenders for an in-space application such as this”, said Stephen Harrison, Global Head of Specialty Gases and Specialty Equipment, Linde. “All gas products approved for clinical measurement must pass arduous performance testing and to go one step beyond and be approved for clinical diagnostic applications in space is testament to Linde’s technological competence.”
The Portable Pulmonary Functional System must be calibrated regularly to ensure accurate measurement of astronauts’ physiology during flight. With rigorous limits to equipment size and weight in order to minimise load and inventory, a key requirement for calibration gas cylinders is to be extremely lightweight and compact. At 44 centimetres in length, made of aluminium and weighing only 2.4 kilos, ECOCYL® cylinders have provided DAC with true portability, as well as ease of use and convenience for astronauts undertaking the necessary equipment calibration. ECOCYL® cylinders also have a maximum filling pressure of 150 bar, ensuring that they have the optimum weight ratio of gas contents to package.
“In addition to their proven track record of technology competence and innovation, Linde has extensive cylinder package testing protocols, knowledge and documentation, which makes them a reliable partner, and one prepared to work closely with us to develop exactly the right solution,” said Thomas A. E. Andersen, CEO at Danish Aerospace Company.
ECOCYL® is part of the HiQ® portable specialty gas solutions from Linde. The cylinders have an integrated cylinder valve, pressure regulator and flow controller, which are permanently protected by a specially designed protective cowling making them easier to handle than cylinders requiring externally mounted gas handling equipment. DAC has further developed the aluminium cowling and other add-on key features to meet the strictest requirements of this space application.
About HiQ®
The HiQ® specialty gases product range from Linde supplies high purity gases, gas mixtures, precision engineered gas distribution equipment, and related services, to a wide range of industries employing specialty gases applications. It encompasses, but is not limited to, REDLINE® specialty gases equipment, BASELINE® specialty gases regulators, SPECTRA-SEAL® calibration gas mixtures, ECOCYL® portable specialty gases cylinders, SPECTRA VOC calibration gases, plus VERISEQ® pharmaceutical grade gases.
HiQ® represents Linde’s commitment to the highest available quality and global consistency across gases, equipment and services.
To learn more, go to http://hiq.linde-gas.com.
About The Linde Group
The Linde Gases Division, part of The Linde Group, is a leader in the international industrial and healthcare gases markets, providing compressed, bulk, specialty and medical gases, as well as chemicals to virtually all fields of industry globally. The company adds value to its customers’ businesses through the provision of state-of-the-art application technology, process know-how, services and equipment.
The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 63,000 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2012 financial year, Linde generated revenue of EUR 15.280 bn. The strategy of the Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
For more information, see The Linde Group online at www.linde.com.
Further information:
Susan Brownlow
Public Relations Manager, Linde Gases Division
Phone: +44 (0)7739 456292
E-Mail: susan.brownlow@linde.com
Clare Daly or Suzy Greenwood
Hill + Knowlton Strategies
Phone: +44 207 973 5912 or +44 207 413 3348
E-Mail: clare.daly@hkstrategies.com or suzy.greenwood@hkstrategies.com