Posco and Hyundai Steel were ordered to suspend blast furnace production due to sewage problems

Release time：Jul 03, 2019 From：admin

According to a report by the Korean media, since April, many local governments in South Korea have accused Posco and Hyundai Steel, the two largest steel manufacturers in Korea, of illegally emitting air pollutants, and have already sent them to these two companies. The order to suspend blast furnace production was issued.

The main content of local government accusations in Korea is that relevant steel manufacturers discharge pollutants into the atmosphere through blast furnace discharge valves that do not have anti-pollution equipment. It is understood that South Korea’s Jeollanam-do and Chungcheongnam-do government issued a 10-day notice of blast furnace shutdown to Pohang Gwangyang Iron and Steel Plant and Hyundai Steel Tangjin Iron and Steel Plant on April 24 and May 16, demanding that they stop production. Correct the exhaust emissions during the period. On May 30, the Chungcheongnam-do government announced the penalties for the modern steel-making Tangjin Iron and Steel Plant, but the specific implementation time has not yet been determined. On May 27th, the Gyeongsangbuk-do government officially issued a notice to the Pohang Steel Works to suspend production. Upon receipt of the notice, Posco has submitted an application for a statement of opinion to the local government and requested a hearing. The hearing is scheduled to be held on June 18.

It is reported that Posco Steel Gwangyang Iron and Steel Plant, Posco Steel Works and Hyundai Steel Tangjin Steel Plant now have 12 blast furnaces with an annual production capacity of about 50 million tons, accounting for 69% of Korea's 2018 crude steel output. (Korea's 2018 crude steel output is 72.5 million tons).

Relevant persons pointed out that the operation of the blast furnace cannot be interrupted. If the blast furnace is stopped for more than 5 days, the molten iron in the furnace will be completely solidified, and it takes more than three months to resume production. If these allegations are finally confirmed, the new administrative measures will cause a serious blow to the Korean steel industry.

Others have questioned the local government’s allegations, saying that the administrative penalties for Posco and Hyundai Steel are unreasonable. In Korea, the blast furnace is to be maintained six times to eight times a year. During the maintenance process, if the outside air is mixed with the internal gas, it may cause a fire or explosion. For safety reasons, steel manufacturers must open the release valve every one month. If these companies do not regularly open the release valve to exhaust the exhaust gas and water vapor, it may cause a fire or explosion.

According to the Korea Iron and Steel Association, at present, the opening of the venting valve is essential to ensure the safety of blast furnace production. Although the current development level of the Korean steel industry is the world's leading, there is no other scientific and reasonable way to release water vapor and waste gas by opening the release valve. The association is currently actively looking for alternatives to address such issues.