PSTECH

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PSTECH, a company that plays with safety as its top priority... Industrial site leakage accident prevention effect expected to grow


PSTECH located in Cheongju Industrial Complex.
ⓒ Chungbukinews


PSTECH Ltd. is attracting attention from the industry by introducing a pipe leak prevention cap (seam cover) developed with its own technology.

The 'Safety Fitting Lock', which was successfully developed and commercialized by PSTECH last year, is a patented product that prevents the phenomenon of pipe seam loosening with a synthetic resin cover that surrounds the pipe seam, and if it still leaks, it can be checked visually. This is expected to prevent major accidents such as loss of life.

Applying a litmus test to identify leaks early on


Despite the efforts of the government, local governments, and companies, hazardous chemical leaks are a recurring problem.

In some cases, a simple leak can be the end of the story, but in many cases, it can lead to personal injury and catastrophe.

In May, a 10-liter leak of methyl chlorosilane occurred at a semiconductor parts factory in Gumi, and according to Gyeonggi Province, 62 chemical leaks of sulfuric acid and nitric acid occurred in the three years from 2020 to 2022, resulting in three deaths and 69 injuries.

In Chungcheongbuk-do alone, chemical leakage accidents, both large and small, have continued to occur. In 2013, a worker was injured when hydrofluoric acid leaked from a GD Cheongju factory, and in 2019, dichloromethane, a class 2 carcinogen, leaked from a battery film manufacturing plant in Ochang-eup, Cheongju, causing deaths and injuries.

Unfortunately, most leaks tend to escalate into catastrophes due to a lack of initial response. This is because the leak was not recognized when it started.



Park Young-gyu, CEO of PSTECH.
Chungbukinews


"It's a simple device, but it can prevent major accidents just by installing a cap," explains Young-gyu Park, CEO of PSTECH.

The leakage prevention cap for pipe seams introduced by PSTECH is not completely new. Several companies have tried to produce caps, but existing products are easily loosened by pipe vibrations, deformed or melted when exposed to highly corrosive chemicals, and do not completely stop leaks.

Chemicals such as hydrofluoric, phosphoric, sulfuric, and hydrochloric acids are corrosive enough to melt most metals except gold, so caps made from ordinary synthetic resins (plastics) have limitations.

Based on this, after more than a year of research, Fiestech developed a synthetic resin that does not deform even when it comes into contact with the four strongest acids (hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid).



'Safety Fitting Lock' product patented by PSTECH.
ⓒ Chungbuk Inews


Solving problems with patented self-developed materials

CEO Park Young-gyu explains, "We commissioned the Korea Institute of Chemical Convergence Testing and passed all the tests for resistance to four acids. It is a material that can withstand any chemicals," he explains. The company has also obtained a patent for the material. The self-developed synthetic resin was then applied to PSTECH's products.

There are other advantages of the products. It has a triple locking function to prevent the nut of the pipe from loosening. This feature significantly reduces the possibility of chemical leakage.

That's not all. The product also has a litmus test. This is a material that turns red when it comes into contact with an acidic solution, allowing you to visually check for leaks. By simply watching the color change, workers can catch leaks in the early stages.

In recognition of this technology, PSTECH's products will be exhibited at the '2023 Korea Safety Industry Expo' on September 13. The qualification to participate means that the technology has been verified.

The 2023 Korea Safety Industry Fair is the country's largest specialized exhibition for the safety industry, hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and brings together high-tech products necessary for safety. Companies are qualified to participate in the event by examining their capabilities and quality competitiveness.

The fair is expected to be an opportunity to open up sales channels for PSTECH. Demanding companies, demanding public organizations, and overseas buyers will attend the fair.

PSTECH's products are recognized as products that can prevent and reduce chemical leakage accidents, but there has been no opportunity to fully inform the industry. As a result, it currently supplies only SK hynix.

"Our company started as a total set-up company for semiconductor factories. We came across accidents during the setup process, and after thinking about how to improve it, we produced the product." "It's not just accidents that cause personal injury. Small injuries like bruises are also obvious accidents. A little device can prevent accidents big and small. We plan to develop products that can prevent accidents in the future," he said.

Under the motto of 'safety first', the company develops and produces safety products to protect the bodies of workers at industrial sites, including chemical leakage prevention caps. It currently has seven patent applications in this regard.



ⓒ Chungbuk Inews