Averaging Pitot Tube Solution for Air Liquide’s Baytown ASU Project

Jan 29, 2026

Customer: ABB China
End User: Air Liquide USA
Project: Air Liquide Baytown ASU (Air Separation Unit) Project

Overview

Air Liquide’s Baytown ASU Project in Texas represents one of the organisation’s most advanced and strategically important developments in industrial gas production. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to meet increasing demand for hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, supporting both local industry and the wider global energy transition.

With a focus on energy efficiency, operational reliability, and sustainability, the Baytown ASU reinforces Air Liquide’s position as a leading provider of low-carbon solutions across the Gulf Coast region and beyond. To support these high-performance objectives, McMenon was selected to supply precision flow measurement instrumentation as part of the waste nitrogen monitoring system.

Project Requirements

The Baytown ASU Project required durable, high-accuracy flow measurement solutions capable of operating in large pipeline diameters and harsh outdoor conditions. Key challenges included:

  • Measuring waste nitrogen flow rates in multiple large-diameter lines
  • Ensuring long-term reliability in demanding environmental conditions
  • Integrating seamlessly with Air Liquide’s instrumentation and control systems
  • Providing robust materials suitable for industrial gas production environments

McMenon’s Solution

McMenon supplied a fully engineered package consisting of:

  • 12 × McMenon QBar™ Averaging Pitot Tubes – Provided in 30″, 36″, and 48″ sizes to match the facility’s large pipelines.
  • SS316/316L Construction – Selected for corrosion resistance and durability, ensuring long service life.
  • 1-Inch Diameter Probe with Opposite-Side Support – Enhanced rigidity, stability, and accuracy for large-line measurement.
  • 1½-Inch Process Connection Flange – Engineered for reliable mechanical installation and optimal positioning within the flow stream.
  • Integrated Three-Way Manifold – Allows for direct transmitter mounting, reducing installation complexity and improving maintenance efficiency.
  • Specially Coated Mounting Accessories – All accessories were coated to withstand harsh climatic and environmental conditions, ensuring performance reliability over the lifecycle of the asset.

These flow devices will be installed to monitor waste nitrogen flow rates, supporting process efficiency and system balance across the ASU.

Strategic Importance of the Baytown ASU Project

The Baytown ASU is designed to produce:

  • High-purity oxygen
  • High-purity nitrogen
  • Large-scale hydrogen supply capabilities

This facility plays a key role in:

  • Supporting industrial growth along the U.S. Gulf Coast
  • Enhancing regional clean energy infrastructure
  • Enabling low-carbon hydrogen and other sustainable gas technologies
  • Strengthening Air Liquide’s global leadership in the energy transition

The project demonstrates Air Liquide’s commitment to innovation, decarbonisation, and industrial reliability, supported by precise and robust flow instrumentation from McMenon.

Outcome

McMenon’s engineered-to-order QBar™ Averaging Pitot Tubes deliver the accuracy, durability, and flexibility required for one of Air Liquide’s flagship U.S. projects. The solution ensures reliable measurement of waste nitrogen, contributing to efficient plant operation and long-term asset performance.

Through aerospace-grade engineering expertise and decades of flow measurement innovation, McMenon continues to support global leaders like Air Liquide in advancing clean energy infrastructure and high-performance industrial gas production.