Exhibit 5.1

                 [LETTERHEAD OF CALFEE, HALTER & GRISWOLD LLP]

                                March 20, 2001

Chart Industries, Inc.
5885 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 150
Cleveland, Ohio  44124

                 Re:      2000 Executive Incentive Stock Option Plan
                          ------------------------------------------

     We are familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by
Chart Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), with respect to
600,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the
"Shares"), to be offered and sold from time to time pursuant to the Chart
Industries, Inc. 2000 Executive Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). As
counsel for the Company, we have assisted in the preparation of a Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by the Company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission to effect the registration of the
Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     In this connection, we have examined such documents, records and matters of
law as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of the opinions
expressed herein, and based thereon, we are of the opinion that:

     1.   The Shares are duly authorized and, when issued in accordance with the
          terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and
          nonassessable.

     2.   When issued in accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement,
          dated as of May 1, 1998, between the Company and National City Bank,
          as Rights Agent, as amended (the "Rights Agreement"), the Rights (as
          defined in the Rights Agreement) associated with the Shares will be
          validly issued.

     The opinion set forth in paragraph 2 above is limited to the valid issuance
of the Rights under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We do
not express any opinion herein with respect to any other aspect of the Rights,
the effect of any equitable principles or fiduciary considerations relating to
the adoption of the Rights Agreement or the issuance or application of the
Rights, the enforceability of any particular provision of the Rights Agreement,
or the provisions of the Rights Agreement which discriminate or create unequal
voting power among stockholders.


Chart Industries, Inc.
March 20, 2001
Page 2

     This opinion letter is intended solely for your use in connection with the
filing of the Registration Statement with respect to the Shares and may not be
reproduced, filed publicly, or relied upon by any other person for any purpose
without the express written consent of the undersigned.

     The opinions expressed herein are limited to matters of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and we express no view as to the
effect of any other law on the opinions set forth herein.

     The opinions expressed herein are based on statutory laws and judicial
decisions that are in effect on the date hereof, and we express no opinion with
respect to any law, regulation, rule or governmental policy that may be enacted
or adopted after the date hereof nor do we assume any responsibility to advise
you thereof.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement. Thomas F. McKee, a partner in this law firm, is a
Director of the Company.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        /s/ Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP

                                        CALFEE, HALTER & GRISWOLD LLP