South Korea is introducing hydrogen and fuel cells as its future main fuel and transportation technology, and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction will lead a project to build Korea’s First Demonstration Plant to Liquefy Hydrogen.
Fuel cells are seen as the next generation renewable energy source due to their environmentally friendly properties however South Korean consumers are still not adopting hydrogen cars because of the lack of infrastructure, including hydrogen stations and high fuel costs. Liquid hydrogen may help to move hydrogen infrastructure forward and the fuel is currently being used in South Korea, and there are plans to expand the use of hydrogen as a fuel for electric cars and other vehicles in the country.
South Korean firm Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction and Changwon Industry Promotion Agency have teamed up to build a plant in the southern industrial city of Changwon. A total of 2.5 billion won (1.8 million dollars) will be spent on the plant, which will produce 5 tons of liquefied hydrogen through a reform process that improves gasoline quality by altering hydrocarbon structures through heat catalysts, according to a company press release. It will locate the parts and be responsible for maintenance and management, and it will also work with Hyundai Motors.
Liquefaction of hydrogen requires cooling to 253 degrees Celsius, and the process requires a high degree of skill and complex infrastructure. Liquid hydrogen can be converted to gas in hydrogen vehicles with compressed gas tanks on board, but liquid hydrogen must be cooled and converted into gas. The advantage of liquid hydrogen is its high density compared to compressed gas, which means that a certain volume can contain more energy for easier transport.
Liquid hydrogen is converted into compressed gas and converted into small storage tanks for distribution. Liquid hydrogen can also be converted back into gas in hydrogen vehicles with compressed gas tanks on board, but liquid hydrogen must be cooled to 253 degrees Celsius.
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