Hyundai Heavy Group Develops Korea's First LNG-Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Engine

Excellent Reduction Effects on Carbon Dioxide and Methane Slip

Performance test of the 1.5MW-class LNG-hydrogen dual-fuel HiMSEN engine conducted at Hyundai Heavy Industries Environmental Verification Center. Photo by Hyundai Heavy Industries Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seoyoon] Hyundai Heavy Industries Group has succeeded in developing the country's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen 'dual-fuel (混燒) engine.'

Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on the 22nd that they have successfully completed performance verification of the '1.5MW-class LNG-hydrogen dual-fuel HiMSEN engine' developed with proprietary technology.

The LNG-hydrogen dual-fuel engine is an eco-friendly engine that selectively uses diesel fuel and a mixed fuel of LNG and hydrogen, significantly reducing emissions of harmful exhaust gases such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and fine dust. It can be considered the first step toward hydrogen engines.

In actual performance tests, this engine met the highest Tier 3 standard for nitrogen oxide regulations set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), proving its excellent reduction effects on carbon dioxide and methane slip (methane emitted without complete combustion).

In particular, when the LNG-hydrogen dual-fuel engine is applied to liquefied hydrogen carriers, the operational efficiency of ships is expected to be further maximized. This is because hydrogen boil-off gas (BOG) generated during transportation can be reused as fuel, minimizing the amount of hydrogen lost during navigation. In this regard, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group demonstrated safety through DNV class certification of a hydrogen carrier system equipped with the HiMSEN engine at Gastech last September.

The application scope of the LNG-hydrogen dual-fuel engine is not limited to ships. Compared to hydrogen fuel cells used for small-scale onshore power generation, the LNG-hydrogen dual-fuel engine has a longer lifespan and excellent load-following performance that adjusts power output according to fluctuations in electrical load, making it promising for use in small-scale onshore power generation and distributed power generation.

LNG·Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Powerful Engine. Photo by Hyundai Heavy Industries Group Provided

A Hyundai Heavy Industries Group official said, “Interest and demand for carbon neutrality are expanding across the shipbuilding and offshore industries,” adding, “We will lead the global market with eco-friendly technologies utilizing clean fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia.”

Hyundai Heavy Industries Group plans to continue research and development on LNG-hydrogen dual-fuel engines, complete the development of dual-fuel engines with increased hydrogen content by next year, and develop a fully hydrogen-powered engine by 2025 to complete the establishment of a hydrogen ecosystem on land and at sea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.