Hyundai Steel developed the Primary Safety Valve, a valve that prevents airborne substances and other toxic gases from escaping blast furnaces. The South Korean steel-making company produced the world’s first-ever valve that entirely stops the breakout of gas emissions.
Throughout the blowing-in process for maintenance and repair operations, the blast furnace releases carbon emissions. Every blast furnace involves a bleeder valve that emits hazardous particles that are possible sources of environmental pollution. The Primary Safety Valve filters out the harmful debris, liquids, and other contaminants from gas exhausts.
Hyundai Steel mill installed the first safety valves in November. The valve application shrinks the high carbon content released from the gas exhaust process. Local environmental authorities also directly examined the operation and filtration levels of the safety valves.
“We have succeeded in releasing harmful gases inside a blast furnace through what we call the ‘Primary Safety Valve,’ a gas cleaning valve that operates in the process of sending back heated air into the furnace after a regular repair,” said a Hyundai official.
After months of partnership with a European steel engineering firm, Hyundai Steel developed the Primary Safety Valve. The device cleans the gas by clearing hazardous chemicals from the furnace shafts. It measures up to 223 meters in length with a diameter of 1.5 meters.
The company tested the efficacy of the Primary Safety Valve at Dangjin Integrated Steelworks in Chungcheong Province. After the trial, Hyundai Steel was quick to install the technology in their production processes throughout South Korea.
Environment-Friendly Ventures
Hyundai Steel started the development of the safety valve in March of 2019. Environmental groups and provincial governments urged Hyundai Steel and another steel manufacturer to reduce their air pollutant emissions. Hyundai Steel responded by pledging to employ anti-pollution equipment in their plants and recycling water and other byproducts.
Earlier this year, Hyundai Steel placed eco-friendly bleeder valves on their Dangjin plant. The valve application is effective in minimizing chemical emissions by 97 percent. The bleeder valves were manufactured with the aid of Danieli Corus, a Dutch steel technology specialist.
