SK Inno Ulsan CLX Reduces Annual Carbon Emissions by 5,000 Tons Through Steam Supply Diversification

SK Innovation employees inspecting pipes at Ulsan CLX. Photo by SK Innovation

SK Innovation Ulsan Complex (CLX) announced on the 2nd that it has succeeded in reducing carbon emissions by dualizing the steam supply line used at the outer harbor dock.

With this measure, steam usage at the outer harbor dock has decreased by about 13% compared to before, and annual carbon emissions can be reduced by 5,400 tons. Steam is one of the utilities required throughout petrochemical processes. It is produced by burning fuel in boilers.

To store and transport petroleum and chemical products at a certain temperature, steam must be supplied continuously. The outer harbor dock is a dock facility where petroleum and chemical products produced at Ulsan CLX are shipped domestically and internationally. It consists of a storage tank area for storing products and a large dock where oil tankers berth.

SK Innovation dualized the steam supply line used jointly by the outer harbor dock and the storage tanks to reduce heat loss and improve operational efficiency. The storage tank area is supplied with boiler steam, while the large dock is supplied with steam secured from an external company near Ulsan CLX.

By separating the steam supply lines like this, heat loss that occurred during the transportation of steam over a distance of more than 5 km from the boiler to the outer harbor dock could be minimized. Through this, Ulsan CLX reduced steam usage by 13% compared to before. It also achieved a cost-saving effect of 3.2 billion KRW annually.

Additionally, by reducing the volume of long-distance steam transportation, the need to maintain high pressure was eliminated, thereby improving operational stability, the company explained. A Ulsan CLX official said, "The reduction in carbon emissions through this separated steam supply was achieved with minimal facility improvements," and added, "We will continue to contribute to SK Innovation Group's carbon reduction efforts through process efficiency improvements."

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