Senko and KEPCO Electric Power Research Institute Jointly Develop Hydrogen Facility Safety Diagnosis Sensors and Safety Systems

by Ryu Hyunseok

Published 29 Jun.2021 14:38(KST)

Updated 05 Mar.2023 14:37(KST)

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Senko announced on the 29th that it will jointly develop safety diagnosis sensors and safety systems with the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) Electric Power Research Institute.

The joint development project is titled "Development of Hydrogen Facility Gas Concentration Measurement Technology and Monitoring System." They will jointly develop a dedicated safety diagnosis gas sensor and safety system for hydrogen facilities that measures the internal gas concentration in real time to prevent explosion accidents caused by hydrogen mixing inside hydrogen production facility pipelines. Senko will receive a total of 700 million KRW in research funding from KEPCO Electric Power Research Institute for this joint development.

Most of the sensors previously applied diagnosed whether hydrogen gas leaked into the atmosphere. The gas sensor being developed this time is expected to more accurately measure the high-pressure filled hydrogen and trace oxygen concentrations inside hydrogen pipelines and also improve the service life.

The products developed through joint development will be first installed in hydrogen facilities within KEPCO Electric Power Research Institute. This is to prepare for the government's Hydrogen Safety Act, which mandates the installation of monitoring sensors on all facilities producing and handling hydrogen starting from February 2022. Senko plans to quickly commercialize the product within the development period after verifying reliability, aiming not only for hydrogen sensors but also for the commercialization of safety systems.

Seungcheol Ha, CEO of Senko, said, "Although investment in hydrogen production and related facilities is increasing, suitable hydrogen sensors and safety systems have not been developed, so the development of safety diagnosis sensors and systems for hydrogen facilities is essential for the activation of the hydrogen industry." He added, "As the Hydrogen Safety Act is established and the hydrogen sector market expands in the future, the places using our hydrogen sensors and safety systems are expected to increase."