Three liquid nitrogen storage tanks, each 17 metres high and 80 m3 in volume, have moved to their final locations at the future on-site nitrogen production station.

The cell and module production process at the Gigafactory ACC in Billy-Berclau Douvrin requires nitrogen, an inert gas 75% of which is present in the ambient air we breathe. It is used in the storage of NMP, for example, or to transport the liquid electrolyte in the cells.

A temporary nitrogen supply facility is currently being set up to support the Gigafactory's ramp-up. It is located near the tertiary building. Its liquid nitrogen storage tank (which is transformed into gaseous nitrogen) is supplied by truck.  

As the Gigafactory ramps up and moves into mass production, it will be necessary to create an on-site nitrogen production station, because of the quantities required. This solution is less costly and more environmentally friendly than regular supplies of liquid nitrogen by lorry.

The future nitrogen production station is just a stone's throw from the electrical substation and the fire protection tanks. It will be made up of two separate units: the production equipment (an installation that captures atmospheric air, transforms it into gaseous nitrogen and transports it to the buildings) and the tanks storing liquid nitrogen.

Each tank is 17 metres high and has a capacity of 80 m3. The installation of the three parts required exceptional resources. A head crane and a foot crane were deployed to lift each tank and place it in its final position.

It took a full day to install the three tanks, requiring a safety perimeter and traffic diversions.

During operation, these tanks will be charged with liquid nitrogen ‘for back-up or emergency purposes, if the production station breaks down. The tanks will be used as a back-up to supply liquid nitrogen and transform it into gaseous nitrogen, while the station is being repaired’, explains Francis Savary, lead maintenance technician.

Construction of the nitrogen production unit (which will supply BBD1 and BBD2) will follow, with the arrival of the equipment at the end of the year, connection in January 2025 and commissioning in February 2025.