Hyundai Heavy Industries Group has developed what it says is the first LNG and hydrogen engine in South Korea.
The group’s units KSOE and Hyundai Heavy Industries have successfully verified the performance of the 1.5MW LNG-hydrogen HiMSEN engine, developed with their own technology, according to a statement by HHI.
The engine selectively uses diesel fuel, LNG, and fuel mixed with hydrogen to “significantly” reduce emissions and methane slip.
If applied to a liquefied hydrogen carrier, the engine could further enhance the vessel’s operations, the shipbuilder claims.
This is because the hydrogen boil-off gas generated during transportation can be reused as fuel to minimize the amount of hydrogen lost during a voyage, HHI said.
Besides ships, this LNG-hydrogen engine could power small-scale land power generation as well.
The group plans to continue research and development of LNG and hydrogen engines in the future.
This includes completing the development of mixed-fuel engines that increase the proportion of hydrogen by 2023.
Also, the group aims to complete the construction of a fully hydrogen-powered engines by 2025, HHI said.