News
22.01.2010 International Helium Cryogenics Centre is to be established at the Odolanów Branch of PGNiG SA (joint-stock company)
Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA (Polish Oil and Gas Company) in cooperation with Warsaw University of Technology, Wrocław University of Technology and the Institute of Molecular Physics at the Polish Academy of Sciences are planning to establish International Helium Cryogenics Centre at the Odolanów Branch of PGNiG SA. The joint project is going to be of scientific and research nature, and also of business nature and constitutes an example of cooperation between industry and science. The main tasks of the Centre shall comprise conducting research and development activities, rendering services within the scope of cryogenic equipment and materials.
The Odolanów Branch of PGNiG is practically the only significant European helium producer and is the only unit in Europe with industrial infrastructure for helium recovery from natural gas. This fact is of considerable significance in the light of several big and ambitious scientific and research projects implemented in Europe and worldwide connected with new possibilities of obtaining and use of energy (e.g. reactors using the phenomenon of thermonuclear fusion). The infrastructure to be built within the framework of these ventures must use helium cryogenics to some extent in order to conduct tests and research of the components in the temperatures reaching a few degrees Kelvin. The above-mentioned works could be implemented in Odolanów in a highly competitive manner. Another argument in favour is the qualifications and hands-on experience of the employees of the PGNiG branch with regard to industrial cryogenic processes.
It is worth noting that the works within the scope of the planned venture shall be implemented mainly for the purposes of particular research projects in Europe. Currently, several ventures of this kind are being implemented on our continent, i.e. thermonuclear reactor ITER in Cadarache, the CDH accelerator in Geneva or the heavy ions accelerator complex in Darmstadt. The budgets for these projects are considerable and reach even several billion Euros. The published work schedules indicate that cryogenic installations will be effectively used in Europe for at least several years to come. We hope that this fact is going to be reflected in the economic and business aspect of the venture. At the same time, the Centre could become Europe's significant scientific hub with regard to cryogenics.
Joanna Zakrzewska
Press Spokesperson of PGNiG SA
