The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST, President Kim Woong-seo) announced that it provided technical support to Deokyang Eco Co., Ltd., to develop a hydrogen compressor that uses seawater battery-based hydrogen production equipment and ionic fluids, marking the first outcome of the Regional Invigoration Project. 

The Regional Invigoration Project, a joint effort with seven participants, including KIOST, aims to provide seawater battery technology to small and medium enterprises struggling due to COVID-19 and strict marine environment regulations so that they can restructure their businesses in response to the changes in today’s business conditions, such as the expansion of eco-friendly energy sources. The project will run until April 2022.

Hydrogen is an eco-friendly and widely available energy source. However, electricity must be used to extract it from the chemical compounds with which it is mixed. Baek Seung-jae, a principal research scientist of KIOST, assisted Deokyang Eco in developing a seawater battery-based hydrogen production device that does not emit greenhouse gases. With it, electricity can be generated through an eco-friendly method, and a stable hydrogen supply can be ensured at the times of day when renewable energy is unavailable.

Because it is so light, hydrogen needs to be compressed to be used as an energy source. Deokyang Eco, a participant of the project, became the first company in Korea to develop an ionic hydrogen compressor that can compress hydrogen to a pressure of 1,000 bar, thanks to technical support provided by KIOST. The compressor addresses existing piston compressors’ problems of requiring the periodic lubrication of major parts and abrasion during long-term use. In particular, this compressor was developed with purely domestic technology, and thus it will contribute to the creation of a stable hydrogen economy and import substitution.

President Kim said, “This type of technical support is meaningful in this case in that a research institution supported the innovation efforts of a domestic enterprise and achieved actual results, in addition to the overall goal of R&D promotion. In this way, KIOST is dedicated to growing together with local communities while engaging in global ocean research.”