For accurate forecasting and planning, it helps to understand the
movement of key industry indices. Air Products' economists have compiled the
following graphs for you to illustrate three-year trends for utility and metals pricing as well
as industrial production. We'll continue to keep you updated in future issues.
Industrial Production Indexes
Source: US Federal Reserve Bank Board of Governors
Click here to view the graph.
Utility Pricing Metrics
Source: Inside F.E.R.C., Bureau of Labor Statistics
Click here to view the graph.
Steel Prices
Source: Market Pricing
Click here to view the graph.
Key Metals Prices
Source: London Metals Exchange
Click here to view the graph.
Coke is the fundamental fuel for cupola operations that provides the energy and bed structure
essential for a cupola to operate. Therefore, if alternative fuels are to be used, they must be used
in conjunction with a coke bed or some other structure. The main challenge with using a fuel such
as natural gas is that when burned in air, the flame temperature is not high enough to enable
sufficient heat transfer for the required metal temperature. The combustion zone of the cupola itself
can approach the temperature of the air/natural gas flame, making heat transfer virtually impossible.
The only solution is to burn the natural gas in the presence of pure oxygen to produce a much
higher flame temperature. This provides a large enough heat gradient between the natural gas
combustion products and the coke bed/combustion zone to allow heat transfer to take place at an
efficient rate. The addition of oxygen/natural gas burners in selected tuyeres allows the cupola
operator to combine the best features of coke, natural gas and oxygen to give a wide range of
practical benefits. Due to the high cost of coke today, advanced oxygen technologies are increasingly
attractive to more and more foundries.
Air Products has developed a wide range of technologies to meet our customers' specific needs,
from general enrichment, to supersonic tuyere injection, to our APCOS™ oxy-fuel technology
with the option of solids injection. By using oxygen, you can achieve higher production rates, lower
coke usage, increased efficiency of alloy additions and overall lower melting costs. The best
technology for you depends on many aspects, such as your existing cupola operating parameters,
goals and current market conditions.
Learn more about how we can help your cupola operation perform solids injection, increase
production, achieve coke savings and provide greater operational flexibility.
> Read the article:
Coke Savings and Other Benefits of Oxygen Use in Cupolas
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Air Products' CryoEase® Microbulk Supply Enables Growth and Expansion at Ontario Laser
Ontario Laser Cutting, Inc. in Tillsonburg, Ontario was running around the clock—or at least
trying to. At least twice a day, state-of-the-art laser cutting machines were sitting idle due to
problems with its industrial gas supply. "Runouts and error outs were definitely impacting
our productivity," states Larry Stuyt, president and owner of Ontario Laser.
Air Products' CryoEase® microbulk supply provided the solution to Ontario Laser's challenges.
Today, the company is realizing impressive savings in its industrial gas costs and employee time,
and is freeing up valuable production floor space. To understand the benefits that Ontario Laser
realizes from microbulk supply, read the full story.
> Read the case study
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With Tight Supply and High Demand, Having a Reliable Argon Supplier is More Important Than Ever
Argon is a colorless, tasteless, noncorrosive, nonflammable and nontoxic gas with exceptionally
poor heat transfer abilities, making it ideal for a diverse range of applications from furnace cooling
to use as a window glass insulation barrier. These special properties and unique challenges in the
production of argon have led to its strong demand and tight supply. A number of factors are
currently affecting the supply and cost of argon, including energy costs, strong ties to the steel
and petrochemical industries, and a geographical disparity in production and usage. Because of
these challenges, it is critical to have a reliable supplier with the production facilities, distribution
network and expertise to deliver argon where and when you need it.
To learn more about argon and how it can benefit many applications, read the full article.
> Read the article: Noble and Needed
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Get Your MS Online
Through Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) you can now earn a Master of Science (MS)
degree in Materials Process Engineering online. The program offers 24/7 accessibility and
all the convenience of online learning with WPI quality, WPI curriculum and WPI faculty. To learn
more about WPI's Materials Process Engineering MS program contact WPI Corporate and
Professional Education at mpeonline@wpi.edu
or call 508-831-5517.
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Mark Lanham
Applications Engineer
Q:
Can I determine where the oxidation on my heat treated parts is coming from within my furnace?
A:
In a word, yes. Read Mark's full answer for details.
> Read Mark's full answer.
> View past "Ask the Expert" questions, answers and videos.
> Have a question for us? Contact us online.
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Our representatives hope to see you at these events to discuss your metals processing needs.
- Fabtech and AWS Welding Show
Booth 13192
October 6–8, 2008
Las Vegas, NV
- Aviation Week, MRO Asia
October 14–16, 2008
Singapore
- TSS Aerospace Coatings Symposium
October 15–16, 2008
Hartford, Connecticut
- Furnaces North America
October 21–22, 2008
Nashville, TN
- Cleaning Requirements for Heat Treatment—
Developments and Applications
October 29–30, 2008
Worcester, MA
- MRO North America 2009
April 21–23, 2009
Dallas, TX
- PowderMet 2009
June 28–July 1, 2009
Las Vegas, NV
- 25th ASM Heat Treating Society Conference and Exhibition
September 14–17, 2009
Indianapolis, IN
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Tom Philips
Sharing Knowledge
When you are one of the top experts in your field, what do you do? For Tom Philips, a senior
principal metallurgical engineer at Air Products, the answer is simple. "I like
helping people understand what they are doing, rather than telling them what to do," he states.
Tom certainly has a full background of knowledge to draw on. With more than 30 years in the
metals industry, Tom is truly at the top of the powder metals field. He recently was awarded the
prestigious "Distinguished Service to Powder Metallurgy Award" by the Metal Powder
Industries Federation (MPIF) for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the powder
metallurgy industry.
At Air Products, Tom is responsible for technical support for metals processing applications, both
internationally and in the U.S., as well as training teams in Asia and China. He continues to enjoy
the hands-on aspect of his work for the company and working with customers to find the solutions
to their powder metal challenges. Additionally, Tom remains committed to the powder metals and
heat treating industries, sharing his knowledge as a sought-after speaker on numerous industry topics.
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You can request more information or any
of the documents referenced in this issue by calling us at 800-654-4567,
code 648, or by contacting us online.
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