Donga Hwasung "Donga Fuel Cell, Smooth Progress in High-Temperature Polymer Fuel Cell System Certification"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Dong-A Chemical announced on the 31st that its subsidiary Dong-A Fuel Cell's 5kW-class High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (HT-PEMFC) system has completed about 90% of the performance, electrical, and environmental tests and inspections based on approximately 170 items according to the inspection regulations of the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, with the remaining 10% progressing smoothly.

Currently, most of the major tests such as product performance inspection, wind resistance, static electricity, ignition, and fire safety tests have been completed. Some remaining tests, including water spray, insulation, and dielectric strength tests, are underway.

Previously, Dong-A Fuel Cell completed the technical review by the Korea Gas Safety Corporation in October 2020 and passed the final inspection for gas product manufacturing facilities in December 2020.

The building-use HT-PEMFC system, regarded as next-generation fuel cell technology, enables triple combined heat and power generation producing electricity, heating, and cooling, offering superior operational economics compared to existing fuel cell systems that supply only electricity and heating.

The HT-PEMFC developed by Dong-A Fuel Cell utilizes high-temperature fuel cell thermal energy exceeding 55% (overall efficiency 94%), significantly expanding the building fuel cell market and is expected to greatly contribute to the government's hydrogen economy implementation and climate change response.

The HT-PEMFC system operates at 150?160℃, more than twice the 60?70℃ operating temperature of conventional PEMFCs. The higher operating temperature provides high resistance to impurities, eliminates the need for humidifiers, condensate treatment devices, and CO removal equipment, simplifying the internal structure and offering significant cost reduction advantages.

The company explained that after obtaining the KGS AB934 gas appliance certification, it plans to proceed with the certification process to acquire the KS certification (KS C8569 Fuel Cell System) by August 2021.