KENTECH Professor Ji-Hyun Hwang’s Laboratory Secures Four National Research Projects

by Sim Jinseok

Published 24 Apr.2026 08:22(KST)

Secured 4 Billion Won Exclusively Through New Projects This Year

The laboratory of Professor Ji-Hyun Hwang at Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH) has secured four new national large-scale demonstration projects this year, obtaining a total of 4 billion won in new research funding. This is considered an exceptional achievement for a single professor's laboratory.

KENTECH announced that Professor Ji-Hyun Hwang’s HYLOT (Hydrogen Liquefaction & Value Chain Optimization Technologies) Laboratory has been selected for four new national large-scale demonstration projects in the cryogenic and hydrogen fields. The HYLOT Laboratory is one of KENTECH’s leading research centers specializing in liquefied hydrogen, cryogenic thermodynamics, process optimization, and hydrogen supply chain systems.

The newly selected projects are: ▲ Commercialization of High-Efficiency Onboard Carbon Capture System ▲ Development of BOG Reduction Technology for Liquefied Hydrogen Refueling Stations ▲ Development of Industrial Gas Production Technology Based on Unused Cold Energy from LNG ▲ Development of Core Technologies for Liquefied Hydrogen Import Terminals. The fact that all four are new projects selected this year, rather than ongoing ones, adds further significance.

Professor Ji-Hyun Hwang of Korea University of Energy Science. <br>[Photo by Korea University of Energy Science]

Professor Ji-Hyun Hwang of Korea University of Energy Science.
[Photo by Korea University of Energy Science]

The first project, “Commercialization of High-Efficiency Onboard Carbon Capture System,” is a strategic research project of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Aimed at addressing carbon regulations by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it seeks to develop next-generation eco-friendly vessel solutions that directly capture and store carbon dioxide generated during vessel operation onboard ships.

The second project, “Development of BOG Reduction Technology for Liquefied Hydrogen Refueling Stations,” is a key hydrogen sector initiative of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. Its main objective is to minimize boil-off gas (BOG) generated during the storage of liquefied hydrogen, thereby enhancing both the economic feasibility and safety of refueling stations.

The third project, “Development of Industrial Gas Production Technology Based on Unused Cold Energy from LNG,” is a core energy efficiency initiative of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. This technology utilizes cold energy discarded during the LNG regasification process to produce industrial gases such as nitrogen and oxygen. The project reflects the HYLOT Laboratory’s accumulated expertise in cryogenic cold energy utilization processes.

The “Development of Core Technologies for Liquefied Hydrogen Import Terminals to prepare for the Era of Future Overseas Clean Hydrogen Imports” project, led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is a nationally strategic supply chain infrastructure project. It encompasses large-scale storage tanks, cargo handling systems, BOG reliquefaction, and safety and permitting technologies.

Professor Ji-Hyun Hwang stated, “This achievement demonstrates that the cryogenic and hydrogen system technology accumulated by the HYLOT Laboratory has been recognized at the national level. We will successfully carry out the four newly awarded large-scale projects and aim to be finally selected for the EU Horizon project, so that our laboratory can become one of the world’s top research centers.”