Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced on the 12th that it has successfully developed carbon dioxide capture technology from phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC) for the first time in Korea. It explained that applying this technology to existing fuel cell power plants could dramatically reduce carbon emissions.

KHNP held a "fuel cell carbon capture technology demonstration event" in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do, on that day and showcased technology capable of capturing more than 90% of carbon dioxide. Municipalities and organizations, including Gwangyang City, Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority, Doosan Fuel Cell, AIRRANE, and Korea Engineering Consultant Corporation (KECC), participated in the event.

On Dec. 12, KHNP holds a demonstration of fuel cell carbon capture technology. Kim Yong-rok (from left), Vice President of KECC, Hong Sang-pyo, Head of Operations at Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority, Kim Gi-hong, Deputy Mayor of Gwangyang City, Kim Hyung-il, Head of Green Business Division at KHNP, Lee Doo-soon, President of Doosan Fuel Cell, and Ha Sung-yong, CEO of AIRRANE, are taking a commemorative photo. /Courtesy of KHNP

KHNP signed a business agreement in March 2023 with Gwangyang City and Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority to cooperate on fuel cell power projects. This led to the development of carbon capture technology to promote the Yeosu Gwangyang Port fuel cell power project, which aligns with the carbon neutrality port strategy.

The development of carbon capture technology began in September 2023 under the supervision of KHNP, with participation from Doosan Fuel Cell (fuel cell design modification), AIRRANE (membrane capture technology), and Korea Engineering Consultant Corporation (installation work), and will continue for 20 months until May.

In December last year, a fuel cell (one unit) and membrane capture facility (one unit) were installed at the marine industrial cluster dock of Yeosu Gwangyang Port, and in January, the trial operation of each facility was completed. Since February, a demonstration operation has been successfully conducted to capture carbon dioxide emitted while operating the PAFC fuel cell at 100% output using the membrane capture facility.

Kim Hyeong-il, head of KHNP's Green Business Division, noted, "Through this technology development, it is expected that fuel cell power plants will significantly contribute to realizing carbon neutrality as eco-friendly power plants that dramatically reduce carbon emissions," and added, "Fuel cell carbon capture technology will be an important solution in the industrial and environmental sectors."

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