In April, to enter into the large-sized compressor market, Kobe Steel built a new facility in its Takasago Works of compressor plant for test running of turbo-compressors of a 400 thousand Nm3/h class. On June 28, Vice-President Mitsugu Yamaguchi held a study tour for press people and unveiled Kobe’s intention to enter into the market mainly aiming for applications to ASU.

A large-sized turbo compressor is used to compress crude air for ASU in the fields of oil refining, chemical plant and the production process of natural gas. In case of an ASU of a class to generate O2 of 60 thousand Nm3/h for example, a turbo compressor of 300 thousand Nm3/h is being adopted for use. At present the market of large-sized compressor is dominated by two leading manufacturers of Siemens and MAN Turbo, and a third polar manufacturer is needed and sought now as the vice-president Yamaguchi points out. Kobe Steel states the positive enhancement of machinery business as one of the tree pillars in its midterm business plan, and posted the market entry of large-sized compressor in concrete terms.

In 2014, Kobe Steel made out a demonstration unit of 300 thousand Nm3/h and succeeded to make out a unit of 400housand Nm3/h in 2015. In the midst of the mandatary requirements for the final assurance by test running before shipment, the new facility for experimental has been established with an investment of 8 billion yen. Vice-President Yamaguchi said, “We first focus on ASU as our target. We think that our gear built-in type can easily been admitted as it is a system adopted for ASU compressors. In fact several units for application to ASU have already been shipped to overseas users. Although the European market will be the main battle place for us, we also see China as a promising market.” The company is aiming at a sales amount of 5 billion yen to be attained in 2020 for the ASU market.

Photos

1 Newly built test running building

2 Gear built-in turbo compressor