Air Liquide is also working with the Sasol teams to identify and execute further opportunities for site decarbonization. According to Simon Baloyi, Sasol Executive Vice President, Energy Operations and Technology, the shared ambition to decarbonize operations in Secunda is what makes the partnership with Air Liquide successful. “By improving the energy efficiency of our operations and assets, we will reduce steam usage, which will directly result in less carbon dioxide emissions.”
“Then there is increased reliability and safety, which has a direct impact on efficiency. Air Liquide uses digitalization to make maintenance more effective,” explains Lizelle, introducing us to Cyril Sebei, Mechanical Area Manager, who is responsible for a maintenance team. “With our extensive cold boxes maintenance program, for example,” explains the engineer, “we are not only ensuring safety, but increasing efficiency.”
“Air Liquide has brought a new operational strategy to the acquired Secunda assets,” Cyril continues. “We now work with Sasol to forecast demand and reduce capacity whenever possible.” He gestures over to the hulking Sasol cooling towers. “For some employees, the acquisition was worrying at first. As it turned out, though, Air Liquide has brought global expertise in industrial gases. It’s been very positive for the atmosphere.” Adds Jens with a chuckle: “In both senses of the term!”
