S. Korea Develops Hydrogen Fuel Cells that Can Extend Submarine Range | Be Korea-savvy

S. Korea Develops Hydrogen Fuel Cells that Can Extend Submarine Range


This file photo provided by the Navy on June 1, 2020, shows South Korea's first submarine, the Jangbogo, built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co.

This file photo provided by the Navy on June 1, 2020, shows South Korea’s first submarine, the Jangbogo, built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co.

SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Korea Bizwire)South Korea has developed new technology that can greatly extend the range of submarines by enabling them to produce hydrogen fuel cells autonomously, a state-run defense research agency said Tuesday.

The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) announced that the newly-developed technology can produce high-purity hydrogen directly in submarines. High-purity hydrogen can be used as a fuel in submarine fuel cells.

Submarine fuel cells, in general, have low per-weight storage efficiency and take a long time to charge. In addition, hydrogen can only be charged through separate facilities.

The newly-developed technology, however, allows submarines to produce high purity hydrogen autonomously through a fuel reforming method that uses methanol as a fuel.

Fuel reforming is a method of changing the form of a chemical structure from the component of fuel and extracting the desired material during the process.

The ADD stressed that the newly-developed technology does not require a separate hydrogen charging facility and can reduce charging time, thereby effectively increasing the range of submarines.

Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)

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