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Notice of User Information for Regulatory Special Exception
Manufacture and Demonstration of Hydrogen Extraction Equipment for Direct Electrolysis of Anhydrous Liquid Ammonia
Date : 08.14 2025
Author : Management Support Team
Views : 588
Fabrication and Demonstration of Direct Electrolysis Hydrogen Extraction Facilities using Anhydrous Liquid Ammonia AES Tech Co., Ltd.
1. Details of Regulatory Special Exception
Verification of safety through the fabrication and demonstration of a hydrogen extractor capable of directly electrolyzing liquid anhydrous ammonia with a high concentration (99.5% or higher). ⇨ Proceeding with the demonstration of a method capable of drastically reducing the unit cost of hydrogen production due to approximately 75–80% higher energy efficiency compared to existing similar technologies.
2. Area, Period, and Scale of Regulatory Special Exception
Locations: ❶ Jeonbuk Science Park, Wanju-gun ❷ Techno Valley and Agricultural Industrial Complex, Wanju-gun ❸ Dankook University Cheonan Campus (College of Science & Technology Labs), Cheonan-si ❹ Green Hydrogen R&D Complex, Donghae-si
Duration: May 12, 2025 – May 11, 2027 (24 months)
Scale: 4 units of Hydrogen Extractors (Capacity: 1~10 Nm³/h)
3. Conditions for Securing Safety, etc., under Article 10-3 (7) of the Act
① AES Tech Co., Ltd. shall prepare Demonstration Safety Standards* considering the operational characteristics of the anhydrous liquid ammonia direct electrolysis hydrogen extraction facility, and by applying these standards, shall comply with the safety management system** of the Hydrogen Act, including licensing and inspections. * These standards shall be prepared by applying the similar standard, Safety Standard for Manufacture of Water Electrolysis Systems (KGS AH271), while taking into account the operational characteristics of the equipment due to the handling of toxic and flammable gases, as well as risk factors identified through safety assessments.
** Article 36 (Permit for Manufacturing Business of Hydrogen Items), Article 38 (Registration of Manufacturing of Foreign Hydrogen Items), Article 44 (Product Inspection), etc.
② AES Tech Co., Ltd. is permitted to manage the safety of the stack as a component of hydrogen extraction equipment under the "Hydrogen Act," rather than as a "pressure vessel," on the condition that it prepares and complies with verification safety standards. These standards must consider risk factors derived from safety evaluations and the following key requirements, as well as methods such as structural stress analysis* to verify design adequacy (strength) as a substitute for the stack’s burst test. * This includes finite element stress analysis (FEA) or other stress analysis programs, and burst tests of unit cells rather than the entire stack. The appropriateness of the verification method proposed by the business operator requires prior review by experts in pressure vessels and related fields.
(Safety Devices) The business operator must install overpressure safety devices to ensure the stack does not exceed its maximum working pressure, and must install devices to stop operation in the event of overpressure.
(Differential Pressure Performance) The business operator must establish measures to ensure pressure resistance performance across the separator when different pressures (differential pressure) are applied to the cathode and anode sides bordering the separator within the stack.
③ Safety Management System for Demonstration Projects (Common Requirements)
(Safety Management Plan) AES Tech Co., Ltd. shall conduct its own safety assessment. Based on the results, the company must establish and comply with an internal safety management plan regarding the manufacturing and demonstration of the anhydrous liquid ammonia electrolysis hydrogen extraction equipment.
(Safety Assessment*) Identify risk factors prior to business operation and prepare management measures. * Apply safety assessments in accordance with Article 13-2, Paragraph 1 of the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act and Section 2 of the Integrated Public Notice mutatis mutandis.
(Safety Management Plan) Design facilities and products reflecting the results of the safety assessment, and establish and comply with a safety management plan* that includes demonstration safety standards. * Apply safety management regulations in accordance with Article 11 of the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act and Article 41 of the Hydrogen Act mutatis mutandis.
(Compliance with Other Laws) If components of the hydrogen extraction equipment or facilities installing and operating said equipment for hydrogen production demonstration are required to obtain licenses, permits, or inspections under other laws*, such laws must be complied with. * High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act, Chemical Substances Control Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, etc.
(Safety Verification) An internal safety committee involving experts from industry, academia, and research (participation of the Korea Gas Safety Corporation is mandatory) shall be formed to verify the safety of the demonstration project.
< Details of Safety Verification >
(Pre-Demonstration) Review the appropriateness of stack design verification methods (such as structural stress analysis), demonstration standards, safety assessments, safety management plans, and internal inspection results. → If the stack design verification method is insufficient, additional design analysis may be requested.
(During Demonstration) Periodic monitoring, including verification of compliance with demonstration standards and safety management plans.
(Post-Demonstration) Review the demonstration results and the appropriateness of the proposed safety standards reflecting said results. * Report the committee’s verification details and results (pre-, during, and post-demonstration) to the Korea Gas Safety Corporation and request approval.
4. Details of Liability Insurance or Compensation Plan
Compensation for damages through subscription to liability insurance
Gas Accident Liability Insurance: Bodily injury 80 million KRW/person, Property damage 1 billion KRW/accident. ※ Any damages exceeding the scope of insurance coverage shall be fully compensated by AES Tech Co., Ltd.
5. Other Matters Designated by the Minister Regarding the Use of Products/Services
AES Tech Co., Ltd. shall faithfully comply with requests from the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and others for the submission of relevant materials, attendance of concerned personnel, and statements required for the management and supervision of the business. The company must report any safety accidents or occurrences of damages immediately.
In the event that AES Tech Co., Ltd. requests a modification to the conditions attached upon approval during the course of tasks such as special verification or temporary permission, the conditions shall be modified according to the results of consultation between the business operator and the regulatory authority. However, if there is a disagreement, the decision shall follow the deliberation results of the Regulatory Special Exception Deliberation Committee.
