The steel sector is a key GDP contributor to the South Korean economy, driving other key manufacturing sectors such as shipbuilding, automobiles and semi-conductors - a real driving force behind the economy. With such high domestic market dependency, production schedules are tight, and demand is high.

One of South Korea’s leading steel manufacturer faced an issue from July to September, the hottest months in the Korean Summer. With ambient temperatures rising up to 43⁰C, the performance of its oxygen processing unit was compromised due to the climbing temperature in cooling water.

A rise in temperature would mean a drop in efficiency of cooling. Oxygen is used as a process agent that kick-starts a series of intensively exothermic (heat-releasing) reactions, including the oxidation of such impurities as carbon, silicon, phosphorus, and manganese.

The cooling water into the oxygen production line has to be maintained and pumped in at the precise temperature of 13 ⁰C to achieve the stringent quality standards set by the plant. Any lapse will result in quality failures and a redundant product which may not pass the stringent quality control checks.

The steel mill’s maintenance team needed a temporary solution to enhance the cooling capacity and to supplement with additional cooling.