Gwangyang Steelworks Successfully Conducts Test Operation of Blast Furnace 'Clean Safety Valve' Emission

Realizing Emission Reduction through the Establishment of 'Clean Safety Valve'
Completion of Installation in All Blast Furnaces by the First Half of '22

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks (Director Kim Ji-yong) announced on the 18th that it has successfully installed and test-operated the ‘Clean Safety Valve’ on Blast Furnace No. 1 to build an eco-friendly steelworks.

The ‘Clean Safety Valve’ is a device that passes internal gases through a dust collector and releases them into the atmosphere during blast furnace shutdown. This equipment improvement was carried out through about seven months of comprehensive safety risk review regarding explosion hazards, in cooperation with related departments including POSCO Construction, the Ironmaking Division, and the Equipment Investment Group, all part of the POSCO Group.

In addition to environmental improvements, the system was configured to allow remote operation of the valve to enhance worker safety.

Once the operation of the ‘Clean Safety Valve’ stabilizes, it is expected that emissions will be reduced by up to 90-95% or more, improving the opacity of exhaust gases.

Gwangyang Steelworks has invested over 10 billion KRW and plans to complete additional installations on Blast Furnaces No. 2, 3, and 5 by February 2022, starting with No. 1. For Blast Furnace No. 4, installation is planned during the refurbishment work in the first half of 2022, aiming to equip all blast furnaces.

A Gwangyang Steelworks official stated, “We are continuously improving environmental facilities to reduce air pollutants with the goal of building an eco-friendly steelworks.” He added, “Gwangyang Steelworks will continue to strive for sustainable growth.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.