Hanwha Total Petrochemical produces and sells a variety of petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel, jet oil, heavy oil (bunker products) and LPG. Hanwha Total Petrochemicals is headquartered in Daesan, South Korea, and operates a large petrochemical complex, consisting of 13 separate plants. We have supplied 26 automatic CFI rim seal extinguishing gas systems to protect 4 storage tanks, each with a diameter of 76 meters.
Many storage tanks in South Korea are located in the vicinity of residential areas, this involves great risks. That is why the government must take additional security measures. The storage tanks at Hanwha Total Petrochemical were only protected with fire detection systems. Our local agent, LyeonTech, has introduced our automatic CFI rim seal extinguishing gas systems as a possible solution at Hanwha Total Petrochemical. This would extend the fire protection to automatic detection and extinguishing.
Challenge; Special approvals required
The requirements of the South Korean government did not fully correspond to the European and American approvals that the CFI system already has. Additional, specific requirements were imposed to the system. This approval was necessary to be able to supply CFI systems to Hanwha Total Petrochemical. The party that can issue the approval is Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGSC).
Approach; Extensive control
A delegation of four KGSC inspectors visited the Saval factory in Breda for a week. All processes relating to the suppliers, production and testing of the CFI system have been critically checked and explained by our CFI specialists. An addition of special tests and modifications to the production process have ensured that the CFI system meets the requirements of KGSC.
Result; 24 sections on 4 live tanks
We have received the official approval from KGSC for the entire CFI system. We have delivered a total of 24 sections for 6 tanks in a short lead time. The system has been inspected, delivered and installed within two months. The CFI system has lifted the fire safety of the tanks to a higher level. The automatic detection and extinguishing gas system requires minimal maintenance while offering 24/7 protection. Every fire that occurs at the rim seal of the floating roof will be immediately detected and extinguished. The environment and the stored product will be kept out of harms way.
Harm Straathof (Sales Manager Saval) supervised together with our local agent LyeonTech, the on-site installation and commissioning. A special aspect of this project was the installation of the system on live tanks, tanks that are operational. This means that 'hot works' such as welding, drilling, sawing are not allowed. The units are therefore glued to the roof of the tanks.
