Experts from all over the world at the Pressure Vessel Colloquium at Dillinger Hütte

As the technological leader in heavy plate production, Dillinger Hütte invited top-ranking representatives from this industry to swap experiences and information at this conference, which showcases the latest developments in pressure vessel and boiler construction. “Independent of the economic situation, we are approaching a new epoch in energy supply,” the experts reported. The numerous participants in the two-day colloquium, which was held for the sixth time in Dillingen, come from the energy, chemical and petrochemical industries, as well as from the fields of plant engineering, engineering sciences, plant operation and research. In the pressure vessel and boiler construction industry, Dillinger Hütte is one of the most important suppliers of premium-quality heavy plate and processed plate products, such as heads and shell sections, which often have thicknesses in excess of 250 mm and unit weights of around 40 metric tons. Hardly any other industry places such stringent demands on the steel it buys. Important application areas are the energy sector and petrochemistry. “With its premium heavy plate steel, Dillinger Hütte makes a major contribution to securing the energy supply and to sustainable improvement of energy efficiency,” said Albert Hettrich, state secretary for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Science of Saarland, at the start of the colloquium. Customized, high-quality heavy plate steel from Dillinger Hütte is used wherever industrial development is producing efficient technologies for oil and gas exploration, modern power plant technologies with special processes to cut CO2 emissions and boost efficiency, and renewable energies. Examples of this can be found all over the world, including the Haradh GOSP III project, a gas-oil separation plant in Saudi Arabia, and the expansion in the United States of the refinery in St. Charles, Louisiana, with a reactor unit to produce ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel (see photo). “Even in the currently difficult economic situation, we expect strong long-term demand from the energy sector,” Dr. Paul Belche, Chairman of the Board of Management, emphasized in his welcoming remarks. “We see close partnership and joint research and development efforts with our customers as key to our future success on the worldwide market. This colloquium also contributes to these efforts, with its intensive exchange of experience, particularly regarding innovation and trends.” The high popularity of the event is just one indicator that things are on the right track in this regard.