Additional Environmental Investment of Approximately 1 Trillion Won Planned by 2024
On the 26th of last month, Hwaseong Plant completed the commissioning of the new refrigeration unit 2 in Hwaseong.
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yeo Jong-gu] POSCO Pohang Steelworks completed the installation of a new refrigeration unit on the 26th of last month to reduce sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions.
In the steelworks' ironmaking process, iron ore and coke are charged into the blast furnace and heated to produce molten iron. During this process, coke oven gas (COG) is generated in the coke ovens where coke is produced by agglomerating coal lumps.
COG has excellent calorific value and is used in power plants and heating furnaces. To reduce the concentration of sulfur oxides generated during combustion, the steelworks has been operating hydrogen sulfide absorption towers and ammonia absorption towers.
The standards under the "Act on the Integrated Management of Environmental Pollution Facilities," effective from June 10, require a 70% reduction in sulfur oxide emissions compared to previous levels.
Accordingly, on the 26th, Pohang Steelworks installed a new refrigeration unit at the Hwaseong Plant to improve the efficiency of the hydrogen sulfide absorption tower and added desulfurization functionality to the ammonia absorption tower, achieving a breakthrough in desulfurization efficiency improvement.
Lower COG temperatures lead to improved desulfurization efficiency.
The previous cooling method could not cool below ambient temperature, but with the new refrigeration unit, the COG temperature is lowered from a maximum of 36 degrees to 21 degrees, enhancing desulfurization efficiency.
Previously, only one hydrogen sulfide absorption tower was operated, causing increased sulfur oxide emissions during regular maintenance of the absorption tower. However, by adding desulfurization functionality to the ammonia absorption tower, this issue has been resolved.
Pohang Steelworks plans to invest approximately 1 trillion KRW additionally by 2024 in environmental improvements, including reducing air pollutant emissions and enhancing byproduct recycling facilities.
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