POSCO receives quality certification for 9 percent nickel steel
Korea Gas Corp.'s Incheon LNG storage tanks which utilized POSCO's nine percent nickel steel in their structure. Courtesy of POSCO
By Kim Hyun-bin
POSCO has received quality certification from the Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) for making the world's widest 9 percent nickel steel used to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks.
This form of nickel steel is a high value-added product that can endure temperatures as low as minus 162 degrees. The general thickness of other steelmaker's heavy plate products is 6mm or more, but POSCO can produce similarly effective plates from 5mm, upping its competitiveness.
POSCO is the only company in Korea that has obtained this certification from KOGAS. The company said in a press release that it has expanded the thickness to 45mm and also passed a quality certification test for the world's largest product ― at 4.5 meters wide ― securing competitiveness in both the domestic and overseas LNG procurement market.
Nine percent nickel steel is a heavy plate product used for the inner tank of LNG storage tanks, and the thickness and width is critical in strengthening seismic resistance for safety as well as to increase economic efficiency and productivity.
POSCO obtained the certification after becoming the first phase supplier for KOGAS's Dangjin LNG base construction project, and as such is able to supply all steel products necessary for the production of LNG storage tanks.
Steel pipes made through hot-rolling processes are used for the foundation construction of LNG tanks, and high-strength wire rods are used for the concrete structure surrounding the outside of the tank. The nine percent nickel steel with a thickness of 5mm can be used for both construction, which only POSCO could provide locally.
The Dangjin LNG base will ensure a stable supply of natural gas in accordance with the government's energy conversion policy. Ten LNG storage tanks are scheduled to be constructed. In the first phase, four 270,000 kiloliter storage tanks will be constructed which requires around 3,300 tons of 9 percent nickel steel per unit ― 270,000 kiloliters is equivalent to the daily gas consumption of country in one month.
The first phase of the Dangjin LNG base features strengthened safety and applied special seismic-grade design, which is a higher grade than existing LNG storage bases currently under construction.
In 1993, POSCO succeeded in localization of 9 percent nickel steel production, for which Korea was highly import dependent. The 9 percent nickel steel has been used in the construction of 20 LNG storage tanks of which four are operated by KOGAS, at facilities in Tongyeong, Samcheok, Pyeongtaek, and Incheon.