POSCO’s No.5 blast furnace at Gwangyang steelworks went into operation on June 7 after its first improvement and repair works turned it into the world’s 9th largest blast furnace.
The improvement and repair works, which kicked off in February, expanded the Gwangyang No.5 blast furnace from 3,950 cubic meters to 5,500 cubic meters, thereby increasing its daily production of molten metal to 13,700 tons.
POSCO’s Gwangyang steelworks now sets three ultra-large (over 5,500㎥) blast furnaces in motion, becoming capable of producing 21 million tons of molten metal a year.
Above all, the No.5 blast furnace is equipped with an advanced tube-type dust collection system, so its dust removal efficiency is more than 30 percent higher than existing dust collection systems.
Furthermore, the lifespan of its main body has been extended as it comes with a cooling system that features zero emissions steam technology and ensures precision in temperature control.
Meanwhile, 11 ultra-large (over 5500㎥) blast furnaces are currently in operation around the world.
POSCO now has a total of four ultra-large blast furnaces - the Gwangyang No.5 blast furnace, the Gwangyang No.1 blast furnace (which has the world’s largest capacity (6,000㎥)), the Gwangyang No.4 blast furnace (5500㎥) and the Pohang No. 4 blast furnace (5600㎥).
