KOSEP begins construction of a plant to recycle coal ashes for a better future

Korea will soon have facilities that can produce artificial light aggregates using coal ash dumped at landfill sites, the world’s first such facilities. Korea South East Power Co., Ltd. (KOSEP) held a ground-breaking ceremony for the plant at Yeongheung Fire Power Plant in Ongjin-gun, Incheon in early April with Jeong Jang-seon, chairman of the Knowledge-Based Economy Committee of the National Assembly and Kim Ssang-soo, president of Korea Electric Power Corp. in attendance.

In Korea, coal fire power plants consume approximately 74 million tons of coal in order to generate power. About 8.4 million tons of coal ash is produced out of this process. At present, 64% of coal ash is reused as materials for ready mixed concrete. However, the remaining 36% is placed into waste dump sites. Accordingly, the process is considered very expensive. KOSEP expects to save 2.2 billion won in coal ash treatment costs when the plant is built as well as be able to produce artificial light aggregates.

In particular, if artificial light aggregates technology is used for all of the coal fire power plants in Korea, Corporate Korea can save 50 billion won in costs and replace exports of 24 billion won annually with locally produced products. In addition, if this technological breakthrough realizes the 100% recycling of coal ash, it will be possible to construct a coal fire power plant without the need for coal ash treatment facilities. Furthermore, this technology will replace general natural aggregate with recycled aggregates, thus protecting the environment and reducing the import of foreign aggregates.

The plant will produce artificial light aggregates by mixing coal ash (70%) and dredged soil (30%) and burning them at around 1,200°C. This kind of aggregate is about 40% lighter than ordinary ones and can be used in skyscrapers. As the aggregate is porous, it can also absorb noise as well, and therefore be used as a sound-absorbing material. As it is produced at high temperature, it can also be used as a heat insulating material in the construction of apartment buildings.

Meanwhile, KOSEP will take part in hydro and fire power generation at home and abroad in conjunction with Emerson Process Management, a control and measurement company. In early March, Jang Do-soo, CEO of KOSEP signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Steven Sonen-berg, president of Emerson Process Manage-ment, at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in Seoul regarding cooperation in the power plant control and measurement sector. According to the MOU, the two companies will combine to win projects to install or improve facilities at fire and hydro power plants at home and abroad.

KOSEP will build and operate power stations while Emerson will be in charge of supplying control and measurement systems. The two will pursue technological coopera-tion in the boiler, turbine, generator and controller sectors. “We will not only share technologies with advanced companies in the control and management sector but also secure core technologies through cooperation with them,” Jang said. “Therefore we will advance into new business areas and take off as a plant-specialized company.

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